Bengaluru, Dec 8 (IANS): Coffee Day Global Ltd appointed its Director Malavika Hegde as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), filling the vacancy caused by the death of her husband V.G. Siddharatha in July 2019, the company said on Monday.

"Malavika Hegde has been appointed CEO with effect from December 7," said the city-based company in a regulatory filing on the BSE.

Malavika, 51, is the daughter of senior BJP leader and former External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna.

Malavika Hegde (left) and V G Siddharath

Siddhartha, who co-founded the country's largest coffee retail chain Cafe Coffee Day, was found dead on July 31, 2019 near Mangaluru. He is reported to have committed suicide due to huge financial losses in his businesses.

The company also appointed C.H. Vasudhara Devi, Giri Devanur and Mohan Raghavendra Kondi as independent directors on the reconstituted board for 5 years from December 31, 2020 to December 30, 2025.

In a letter to the company's 25,000 employees on July 24, Malavika said she was committed to the future of Coffee Day as a going concern.

"We will work to reduce the debt to a manageable level by selling a few more investments as I am committed to the company's future," she said.

The company has pared its debt to Rs 3,200 crore from Rs 7,200 crore by selling parts of its assets, including properties and shares in subsidiaries.