Vijay Lazarus, president and managing director, Universal Music India has been appointed chairman of the company effective May 8. The appointment will enable Lazarus to focus on new initiatives, key strategic issues and industry matters, states a release.

Replacing Lazarus as MD of the company is Rajat Kakar, senior vice president, sales and marketing who will assume day-to-day responsibility, reporting directly to Harry Hui, president of Universal Music Southeast Asia.

Allen Andrade, senior vice president and chief financial officer has been promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer with his existing responsibilities remaining intact. He will report to Kakar.

Says Harry Hui, "Vijay Lazarus has been a cornerstone for our Indian company for more than 33 years. He has been instrumental in building up a great catalogue for Universal Music India and has contributed significantly to raising the Indian music industry to global standards. As Chairman, he will focus his time on key issues facing the company and the industry."

"Rajat," he says, " has shown the vision, initiative, and industry knowledge to lead our company. We have a deep catalogue and a great artist roster in an exciting marketplace and I know that Rajat will be able to move the company forward."

"Allen has done a tremendous job raising the operational performance standards of the company. I am confident these changes will make a formidable management structure," he adds.