General Electric on Friday announced the appointment of Banmali Agrawala as president and CEO of the company's business operations in India.

Before joining GE, Banmali was working as the executive director for strategy and business development and also served on the board of directors of Tata Power Company Ltd. Banmali also worked with Wartsila for over 10 years, holding several leadership positions in both India and Europe.

The change will be effective April 1, after which Agrawala, 49, will succeed John Flannery who moves to the US to take the role of senior vice-president for business development reporting directly to the CEO, Jeffrey Immelt. Flannery, 51, has been president and CEO of GE India since 2009. 

"Under Flannery's leadership, we have built a strong local team and positioned ourselves well. I am confident that Banmali will build on that good work," GE's vice-chairman John Rice said.