Walmart names Krish Iyer as India unit CEO

US retail giant Walmart on Friday announced appointment of Krish Iyer as the president and CEO of its India unit.

The appointment will be effective January 20, 2014, the company said in a statement.

"Iyer, who will report to Walmart Asia regional president and CEO Scott Price, will replace interim CEO Ramnik Narsey, who is taking a new role as senior vice president, Walmart International," it said.

Ramnik will report to David Cheesewright, the incoming President and Chief Executive Officer for Walmart International.

Scott Price, president and CEO of Walmart Asia said: "Krish will be responsible for leading

the growth and success of our India operations while also continuing to develop our future retail strategy there."

Originally from Mumbai, India, Iyer joined Walmart International as a senior vice president in 2012.

Prior to Walmart, he spent six years with A.S. Watson Group, a leading international health, beauty and lifestyle retailer, serving as managing director in Thailand, Taiwan and the Philippines and regional business development director and regional director for store design and development for Asia and Eastern Europe.

Before that, Iyer was managing director and CEO at Piramyd Retail Limited. Iyer is a Chartered Accountant, having received his Bachelor's degree with honours in Commerce and Economics from the University of Mumbai in India.