Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) announced key leadership appointments effective 1 April 2026, as part of its strategic efforts to strengthen organisational capabilities and support its continued growth trajectory.
As IRS entered the financial year 2026–27, the organisation has been witnessing sustained expansion across its core and emerging service areas. This growth comes alongside a rapidly evolving maritime landscape, marked by increasing regulatory complexity, technological transformation, and the global push towards sustainability.
Left: Mr. Saikat Roychowdhury, COO , Middle: Cdr. Pavan Kumar Varma, MR and Divisional Head – QHSE, Right : Mr. H.V. Ramesh, Head – Technical
In response, IRS undertook a leadership realignment aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, reinforcing governance frameworks, and enabling greater agility and accountability across its functions.
Mr. Saikat Roychowdhury was appointed as COO, tasked with overseeing overall operations and, along with the management representative, supervising both internal and external audit functions. Mr. H.V. Ramesh was appointed as head – technical, taking on responsibility for leading IRS’s technical function and supporting innovation, quality assurance, and service delivery across the organization. Cdr. Pavan Kumar Varma was appointed as Management Representative (MR) and Divisional Head – QHSE.
Commenting on the appointments, Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman of IRS, stated that as IRS continues to expand its footprint and capabilities in a rapidly evolving maritime ecosystem, it is essential that the organisation’s leadership structure remains aligned with its strategic priorities. He described the appointments as a reflection of IRS’s commitment to strengthening operational excellence, enhancing governance, and building a future-ready organisation, expressing confidence that the leadership team will play a pivotal role in driving IRS’s next phase of growth and value creation for its stakeholders.
For more information visit www.irclass.org
7 April 2026
