NEW DELHI, INDIA: The Vodafone Group on Friday named Analjit Singh as the non-executive chairman of its India operations.

Singh, a leading industry figure in India, is the founder and chairman of Max India Ltd as well as its subsidiaries such as Max New York Life Insurance Company Ltd, Max Healthcare Institute Ltd and Max Bupa Health Insurance Company Ltd.

"Analjit has been a longstanding, reliable and trustworthy partner in India," Vittorio Colao, chief executive of the Vodafone Group.

The appointment is effective Feb 16, following approval from the board of Vodafone India.

"Analjit knows our business well, having been the founder and chairman of Max Telecom, the business which has grown to become Vodafone India with nearly 150 million customers," said Nick Read, CEO of Vodafone's Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific region.