Rama Iyer, who is the chairman and managing director of the group company Kvaerner Powergas (KPG), was holding additional responsibility as the managing director of KCIL for the last 18 months.

Singh is an engineer from IIT, Delhi, and his last assignment was as Kirloskar Pneumatic Company Ltd president. "KCIL was looking for a full-time MD to run the company's affairs. We normally do not shift personnel within the group companies unless a synergy exist between the group companies," Iyer said.

KCIL's strategic business revolves around marine, bridge and specialist engineering projects which constitute 60, 25 and 15 per cent of total revenues respectively.