Mumbai: Global IT services provider Patni Computer Systems, today announced the appointment of Jeya Kumar as CEO. Kumar will take charge in February 2009. Narendra K. Patni will continue as chairman of the board of directors.

Loek van den Boog, who was appointed as executive director earlier this year will hand over the operational responsibilities to Kumar and continue as a non-executive director on the board.

''This is in line with our succession planning and strengthening the operational leadership of the company,"said  Patni. "I am excited with Jeya joining as CEO of the company in view of his extensive experience in this market segment and his excellent track record.''

Kumar was until recently the CEO of MphasiS and has more than 25 years of global experience. Prior to MphasiS, he was senior vice president of Sun Microsystems and a member of Sun's executive management group, responsible for the business unit's financial performance, strategy, marketing, portfolio management, in-market management, product engineering, technology development, M&A and channels in over 120 countries.

He has also held various management and executive positions with global firms including Apple Computers Inc. and National Semi-Conductor Corporation.

Kumar has a master's of business degree from Curtin University, Australia and a bachelor's of business degree from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia.

Meanwhile Patni Computer Systems is reportedly focusing on captive deals even as it is planning to roll out new service lines to create more value for the company.

According to chaiman NK Patni the acquisition of captives through strategic deals is now on the development agenda as many troubled multinationals are looking to sell their captives. 

He added that they would be in favour of a deal on lines similar to the deal between TCS and Citigroup's captive unit in India.

He said that they don't need private equity investment but would use their liquidity to consolidate their customer base.