Software giant, Microsoft announced the appointment of Sanket Akerkar as the new Managing Director for its Sales & Marketing Group (SMSG) in India. In his new role, Sanket will be based ot of Gurgaon and will report to Microsoft India, Vice President, Ravi Venkatesan.

The move follows current MD, Rajan Anandan leaving the firm.

On the development, Ravi Venkatesan said, “In the last two years Rajan has led the organization to successfully land a slew of innovative products including Windows 7, Office 2010, Windows Azure and Microsoft Online Services, among others. Further, his focus on Cloud computing have given us a good foundation for FY11 and beyond.”

Welcoming Akerkar he added, “Sanket brings with him an excellent understanding of enterprises and their needs in an evolving economy, and the new emerging trends around cloud computing that will enable Microsoft India to greater success.”

On his new assignment, Akerkar said, “I am extremely excited to join the Microsoft India team!  The short-term and long-term opportunity in India is absolutely phenomenal and I am really thrilled to be part of the great change of what India means to the world and what Microsoft India means to Microsoft”.

Akerkar who has been associated with Microsft for over 7 years, will assume his new responsibilities starting September 01, 2010.