Mumbai, Jan. 7: Cipla, the country's third largest pharmaceutical firm by sales, today announced the creation of a six-member management council as part of its plan to simplify decision making.

Headed by Subhanu Saxena, managing director & global chief executive officer, the council will have Samina Vaziralli, executive director.

Vaziralli, the niece of Dr Y K Hamied, non-executive chairman, Cipla, will be the company's global head for strategy, M&A, Cipla New Ventures and key partner relationships.

As part of the reshuffle, Umang Vohra, the global chief financial and strategy officer, has been elevated as the company's global chief operating officer (COO) with immediate effect.

Vohra will replace Sudhanshu Priyadarshi who has decided to pursue interests beyond Cipla. "This is part of the company's ongoing transformation journey to simplify decision making and improve operational excellence," Cipla said in a statement.

According to Cipla, the role of the global COO has been expanded to fully integrate end-to-end operations from making, supplying and selling its products, thereby simplifying the organisation. In his new role, Vohra will lead the generics and active pharmaceutical ingredient businesses across all markets.

The company added that he will also integrate technical services, global supply chain, global portfolio, business development & licensing and business planning functions. Further, he will continue with his assignment as the global chief financial officer of the company.

The other members of the panel include Geena Malhotra (global head - integrated product development), Ranjana Pathak (global head quality) and Prabir Jha (global chief people officer).