Who is a Managing Director and what are his powers and functions in a Company?

Answer 1

In simple words, a managing director is a director of a company who enjoy "the whole" or "substantially the whole" powers of the management of the company in his capacity as the Managing Director. In a company structure, the Board of Directors collectively control, supervise and manage the affairs of a company. For administrative purposes and execution of the policy framed by the Board, the powers are delegated to the Managing Director of the Company. In case of more than one Managing Director in a Company, such powers are shared among such MDs on a pre-defined format.

For technical detailed analysis of the powers and functions of an MD of a Co., please refer to various provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 (applicable in India) alongwith the rules made thereunder and as amended upto date.

Answer 2

Managing director is the term used for the chief executive of many limited companies in the United Kingdom, Commonwealth and some other English speaking countries. The title reflects their role as both a member of the Board of Directors but also as the senior manager.

The role of a Managing Director (MD) is to design, develop and implement the strategic plan for their company in the most cost effective and time efficient manner.

The Managing director is responsible for both the day-to-day running of the company and developing business plans for the long term future of the organisation. The Managing director is accountable to the board and the shareholders of the company. It is the board that grants the Managing Director the authority to "run" the company.

In addition to the Managing Director, most companies have a Board of Directors. This board usually consists of such posts as: Finance Director, Sales Director, IT Director, Marketing Director, Technical Director and Chairman. In addition to these posts there may be a number of other directors including non-executive directors.

The Managing Director is a leadership role for an organisation and they fulfill a motivational role for the workers in addition to their more office-based work. MDs motivate and mentor members of the management team and chair meetings. The MD leads the company and develops the corporate culture for the organization.

As the title suggests, the Managing director needs to manage everything. This includes the staff, the customers, the budget, the company's assets and all other company resources to make the best use of them and increase the company's profitability.

The MD or Senior MD reports to the Board of Directors on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual or every decade basis to keep them informed of how the company is doing. The board will offer suggestions and ideas about how to improve the company to the Managing Director. It is the MDs responsibility to implement, improve upon or ignore these ideas.

The MD is legally responsible for the company's affairs, so they must comply with the appropriate rules and regulations set out in company law. These include following the proper audit procedure and not allowing the company to break any trade embargos or dealing in any illegal goods.

Finally, a MD is responsible for devising a succession plan to ensure that somebody is trained to assume the management of the company when the current MD resigns or retires. It is also important in case of unforeseen circumstances, such as the MD having an accident, that somebody else can run the company.

in the term refers to a person in charge of a specific aspect of a business. This can be an officer or Director of the corporation in which the individual is employed.

Answer 3

A Managing Director is a Director of the Company appointed by the Board of Directors as per section 269 of the Companies Act, 1956(as amended) read with schedule XIII of the Companies Act. The Managing Director has substantial powers of Management and these powers are normally specified in the Articles of Association of the Company. Any chartered Accountant will have a number of copies of Memorandum and Articles of Association of a public ltd. Company of which they are auditors. Obtain and read the powers specified therein. It is a position of great responsibility and the M.D. held liable for violation of any of the laws applicable to his Company. He is paid well as per Schedule XIII and a Company having paid up capital of Rs. 5cr. and being a public ltd. co., whether listed or unlisted is required to appoint a Managing Director as per Companies Act, 1956( as amended)