SINGAPORE — Olam International Limited announced on June 20 the resignation of its Chief Financial Officer Krishnan Ravi Kumar, who is leaving the company to pursue a new career outside the agri-commodity sector. Kumar has led the corporate finance and treasury function for the company for almost 20 years and played a significant role in its transition from a privately held entity to a publicly listed company since 2005.

In announcing his departure, Kumar said, “Olam has played a very important part in my development as a professional and I will remain grateful to the company and the board for providing me with this opportunity to contribute to the group’s success thus far. Olam has an even more exciting future ahead and I will certainly miss the opportunity to participate in these plans, as I move ahead to widen my horizons and pursue a career outside the agri-sector.”

The company announced that Shekhar Anantharaman will be moving into a new and enhanced role as executive director – finance & business development. In this role, he will lead the company’s overall strategy and new business development activities as well as oversee the corporate finance & accounts, banking & treasury, audit & corporate affairs, strategic investments, and the investor relations functions. Anantharaman has been with the group since 1992, and was appointed as an executive director to the main board in 1998. Anantharaman is one of the three executive directors on Olam’s board and is also a member of the board’s Capital Investment Committee and the Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Committee.

Prior to this new role, Anantharaman had oversight responsibility for Olam’s global edible nuts, spices and vegetable ingredients and packaged foods businesses. He also had regional oversight for the company’s operations in China, Brazil, Argentina and North America, as well as the functional oversight of the manufacturing and technical services (MATS) function. He has previously held senior roles in country management, as well as led various corporate functions like finance, treasury, and IT. He is a member of the company’s strategy committee and the corporate executive team.

Kumar will continue in his role until the end of July to ensure a smooth and effective transition.