Tata Group-owned South African telecom operator Neotel has appointed Sunil Joshi as managing director and CEO. The appointment is with effect from April 1, 2011.

Sunil Joshi has replaced Ajay Pandey, who will move back to Tata Communications after completing five years with Neotel.

According to N. Srinath, non-executive chairman, Neotel, Joshi is strongly positioned to take Neotel forward along with the changing needs of the market, as enterprise customers shift their focus more towards managed services, in line with global trends.

Joshi has more than 22 years of experience in the Indian and global IT and telecom industry. He has led Tata Communications? strategy for emerging markets as well as providing international customers? access into new markets.