Balwinder Singh Canth, Director Marketing of the oil major Indian Oil Corporation Limited, has been appointed as the Chairman of Lanka IOC PLC (LIOC) with effect from November 2, 2015, replacing Indrajit Bose.

Since joining Indian Oil Corporation Limited, India in 1983, he has handled varied assignments in human resources, retail, operations, consumer sales and information systems.  

He brings to the board his expertise as a business head of geographically and culturally diverse and complex three major Indian states – viz. Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and as a Country Head for Consumer Sales. 

As State-In-Charge of Indian Oil’s two largest state offices, he was responsible for overseeing all petroleum business including retail and direct sales, LPG, lube sales, operations, project management, planning, HRD and information technology. 

He has also spearheaded the commissioning of India’s first Smart Terminal at Chittoor, as well as Indian Oil’s restructuring programme in close coordination with McKinsey.

A proponent of the open-minded management style, known for his people-oriented approach and networking skills with all stakeholders, he has a drive to learn and constantly reinvent himself.  

As the head of the organisation, he is focused on creating a more enabling and inspiring workplace, leveraging technology and infrastructure augmentation. He believes that collaboration is the mantra for success and that all employees should align their goals to the requirements of the corporation.

Canth holds a Master’s degree in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations (PM&IR) from Punjab University, Chandigarh and a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Delhi University, New Delhi. 

An avid golfer and a prolific reader, Canth has widely travelled. He has presented several papers in both domestic and international forums on diverse topics related to downstream business, HR and management.