MUMBAI: Times of India Group managing director Vineet Jain has been elected chairman of the board of directors of the Press Trust of India (PTI). Jain, who was earlier vice- chairman, replaced Punjabi Kesari Group editor Vijay Kumar.

The vice-chairman role went to Mathrubhumi Group chairman and managing director MP Veerendrakumar. The election was held following the 62nd annual general meeting of the PTI's shareholders.

Jain, who has played a key role in expanding the Times of India and other publications of Bennett Coleman and Company Ltd, was PTI chairman in 2002-03. He has also led BCCL’s successful entry into online, radio and television services.

Veerendrakumar was formerly a Member of Parliament and Union Minister. A past President of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS), he is associated with media-related bodies in India and abroad.

The members of the PTI board also include Vijay Kumar Chopra (Hind Samachar), N. Ravi (The Hindu), R. Lakshmipathy (Dinamalar), Aveek Kumar Sarkar (Ananda Bazar Patrika), Shekhar Gupta (Indian Express), K.N. Shanth Kumar (Deccan Herald), Mahendra Mohan Gupta (Jagran Prakashan), Hormusji N. Cama (Bombay Samachar), Riyad Mathew (Malayala Manorama) and Sanjoy Narayan (Hindustan Times). The Directors from outside the newspaper industry are Professor EV Chitnis, Justice SP Bharucha and Fali S Nariman.

A leading news agency, PTI achieved its highest-ever revenue last financial year and is profitable.