The Aditya Birla Group of India on Tuesday appointed KK Maheshwari as managing director of Grasim Industries as the company prepares to grow its businesses in India and overseas.

Maheshwari, who has been whole-time director of Grasim until now will assume charge as MD immediately, a post created for the first time in the history of the 65 year old company.

"The Grasim board decided to have a managing director to assist the chairman in implementing growth plans for the company," Maheshwari told the Economic Times of India.