OREANDA-NEWS. The Board of Directors of Tata Coffee announced at their meeting that Sanjiv Sarin will be appointed as 'CEO designate' of Tata Coffee with effect from January 8, 2015. Mr. Sarin will assume charge as CEO and MD of Tata Coffee upon the retirement of Hameed Huq, the current CEO and MD.

Mr Sarin has held the position of regional president, South Asia of Tata Global Beverages for the past four years. During his tenure, he has significantly strengthened Tata Global Beverages' position in the India branded tea market. Mr Sarin has over 38 years of experience in a variety of significant roles. Prior to his stint at Tata Global Beverages, he held the position of executive director, business development at Tata Coffee. He has global experience with leading international organisations, including 16 years at Cadbury Schweppes in the Philippines, Egypt, India and the UK, his last assignment being country director, Cadbury Philippines.

Mr Sarin graduated from the Asian Institute of Management, Manila, Philippines with a distinction and has a masters in economics from Bombay University, where he graduated with a gold medal.

Hameed Huq, who retires on March 31, 2015, has been with Tata Coffee for over 15 years and held the position of managing director since 2010. Mr Huq joined Tata Coffee in the year 1999 as vice president (plantations) and became executive director (plantations) in 2005. Prior to joining Tata Coffee, he was in Tata Tea since 1972 and held various senior positions in the company.