Bangalore, April 1 (IANS) Global IT solutions and product engineering services firm MindTree Friday appointed German executive Albert Hieronimus as new chairman in place of co-founder Ashok Soota who quit the post March 31.

Hieronimus, 62, is also chairman of German automotive major Bosch Ltd, formerly Mico Industries Co Ltd (MICO) and has been an independent director of MindTree since 2006.

"We have been fortunate to have Albert in its journey ahead. He is a businessman of international stature. We will work together very effectively to take the company to greater heights," MindTree chief executive Krishnakumar Natarajan told reporters here.

In a career spanning three decades, Hieronimus has handled key international assignments in sales, finance and planning to management accounting, human resources, development and information processing.

"I have worked closely with MindTree for many years and feel proud of the culture and values that define the company that has an exciting future ahead. I look forward to helping the management to take the company to greater heights," Hieronimus said.

In line with good governance practices, the Rs.13-billion (fiscal 2009-10) company has decided to segregate the roles of the chairman and the chief executive-cum-managing director.

Hieronimus, who was also managing director of Bosch India from 2003 to 2008, served as chairman of the executive board at Bosch Rexroth AG in Germany till June 2010.

A post-doctorate in mathematics, Hieronimus worked with Mannesmann Demag AG in Germany in various positions for 14 years.

Soota, who resigned from the company on personal grounds, founded MindTree in 1999 with nine others after quitting IT bellwether Wipro Ltd as vice chairman and president.