Mumbai: Regarded as a management expert, Mohammad Fazal, who took over as Governor of Maharashtra on October 10, is a multi-faceted personality.

Eighty-year-old Fazal was administered oath of office and secrecy by acting Chief Justice of Mumbai High Court G D Patil at a simple ceremony held in the lawns of Raj Bhavan.

Fazal succeeds Dr P C Alexander, who relinquished the post on July 13 after serving the state for nearly nine years.

After his graduation from Allahabad University, Fazal got his post-graduate Degree in Political Science from the prestigious London School of Economics.

He has worked as senior member of Planning Commission from 1980 to 1985. Prior to that he was secretary to the Industries Development Department in 1977 at the Centre.

Fazal has had a distinguished career both in private and public sector. He was inducted as a civil servant in 1960 and put in his papers after 19 years of service.

In 1970, he was appointed head of the government company set up to take up turn-key projects in India and abroad. During his eight-year tenure, the company completed three international and 35 projects in India.

In 1976, the President awarded him with the Best Marketing Man of the Year.

From 1985-1987, he was chairman of Nav Bharat Parker Drilling Company, an Indo- American joint venture and was member of the advisory board to National Defence Council from 1998 to 1999.

Prior to taking over as Maharashtra Governor, he was Governor of neighbouring Goa.

PTI