Tata Sons has announced the appointment of S Padmanabhan as new group chief of HR (CHRO). Padmanabhan also continues to lead the Tata Business Excellence Group. A stalwart within the Tata ecosystem, Padmanabhan has been with the Tata group for over 32 years, starting his career with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).As chairman of the Tata Business Excellence Group, or TBExG (earlier Tata Quality Management Services), he played a pivotal role in launching the process of taking the group towards overall business excellence from the initial focus on quality. Padmanabhan acquired vast experience in HR, mainly from his stint with the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as HR director. As executive director (operations), Tata Power Company, he was responsible for the profitable and sustainable operations of all thermal and hydro generation plants across India, and the transmission and distribution systems in Mumbai. A distinguished alumnus from IIM Bangalore and a gold medalist and distinguished alumnus from PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore, Padmanabhan is a Glaxo Marketing Scholar Medalist. He has completed the Advanced Management Programme at the Harvard Business School. He is also a life member of Computer Society of India (CSI) and a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE).
The documentary, ‘Before the Flood’, by Hollywood’s Leonardo Di Caprio features Sunita Narain, Director General, Centre for Science and Environment in it. The debut of the documentary took place on the National Geographic channel recently. The film that is freely available worldwide delves on the imminent threat of global warming and documents the violent impact of climate change all over the globe. “We need to put the issue of lifestyle and consumption at the centre of climate negotiations,” says Narain in the documentary.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be featuring in ‘Incredible India’ campaign with the Tourism Ministry planning to use—or radio and audio release—two types of audios and videos of different durations where Modi had talked about the uniqueness and diversity of the various places in the country. The role was lying vacant ever since the ouster of Aamir Khan earlier this year. Plans to rope in any Bollywood stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, as mascot of the campaign were considered. However, the ministry has finally decided to use video footages of Modi over the last two-and-a-half years where he has talked about tourism in India and abroad for the campaign, a senior ministry official said. “At present, the ministry is working on selecting the footages”, the official said, adding that the campaign would be released soon, as the Indian ‘tourism season’ starts by November-end due to favourable weather as also the Christmas holidays and New Year celebrations. Earlier, Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma had endorsed Modi saying there was significant rise in the tourist inflow from the countries Prime Minister visited.
Telecom operator Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd has made a commitment to install around 45,000 mobile towers over the next six months to boost its 4G network. Reliance Jio has already signed a pact with BSNL for intra circle roaming—roaming within the same telecom circle—which will enable BSNL customers with a 4G-capable phone to use Reliance Jio’s 4G services in roaming mode and Reliance Jio’s customers to use BSNL’s 2G network for making voice calls. The commitment was given by Reliance Jio in a meeting with the Telecom Minister, Manoj Sinha. The company plans to invest Rs. 1 lakh crore over a period of four years to strengthen its 4G network and the new towers are part of this investment. Reliance Jio is said to have informed the minister that it has already invested Rs. 1.6 lakh crore in the network and installed 2.82 lakh base stations all over the country to cover 18,000 cities and two lakh villages. Currently Reliance Jio has optimised its network for urban and suburban tier I and tier II towns.
Tech Mahindra has been awarded a position on the Climate ‘A List’ by international not for profit organisation Climate Disclosure Project (CDP) in recognition of its actions and strategies in response to climate change. The list, which has been produced at the request of 827 investors with assets of US$100 trillion, has 193 ‘A Listers’. Tech Mahindra is among nine per cent of corporations participating in the CDP’s climate change program to be awarded a position on the Climate ‘A List’, in recognition of its actions to reduce emissions and mitigate climate change in the past reporting year. Sandeep Chandna, Chief Sustainability Officer at Tech Mahindra said, “It is indeed heartening and humbling to know that we have been featured as an ‘A’ lister by CDP for our disclosures on initiatives to reduce our carbon foot print. The CDP ranking is a validation of our focus on impacting climate change positively through sustainable initiatives and including sustainability as part of the strategy in every aspect of our business practices.” The Climate A List is released in CDP’s ‘Out of the starting blocks: Tracking progress on the corporate climate action report today’. The report, which establishes the baseline for corporate climate action, reveals that global corporations have started the transition to a low-carbon economy and some are already capitalizing on the opportunities this affords. Companies’ progress on reducing emissions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement will be tracked against this baseline in future annual reports. “We are enthused to note that the quality of disclosure and efforts by Indian companies is improving year on year. Especially noteworthy is the fact the companies are adopting science-based targets. There is clearly a hope and we encourage companies to do more which will future-proof the growth trajectory,” said Damandeep Singh, Director, CDP India
Chairperson and MD of Biocon Ltd, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has called for the formulation of pragmatic and visionary polices to create new employment opportunities in India. “Yes, we are witnessing jobless growth but that’s not because of automation. It’s because of poor industrial and agricultural policies that are not creating infrastructure development, manufacturing and services jobs,” the biotechnology entrepreneur was quoted saying in an agency report. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw felt restrictive e-regulations that try to protect conventional bricks and mortar jobs are an example of jobless growth in India. She said, “Unions are pushing backand governments are yielding. Until pragmatism is enforced we are likely to miss the opportunity of creating new jobs based on changing business models. One bright spark is the start-up culture.”
EdgeVerve Systems, a wholly owned product subsidiary of Infosys, Emirates NBD, the leading banking group in the Middle East, and ICICI Bank Limited have announced the pilot launch of blockchain network for international remittances and trade finance on the UAE-India remittance corridor. With this, Emirates NBD has become the first bank in UAE and ICICI Bank, the first bank in India, to pilot a blockchain-based network for financial services. Both financial institutions have started the process towards a network consortium for further participation by interested member banks to expand the transaction network. With the blockchain network in place, both banks expect automation of inter-bank processes through smart contracts, secure digital exchange of documents and real-time monitor- ing of positions through integrated dashboards. This will lead to significant cost savings for the business. Dr Vishal Sikka, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Infosys said, “We look forward to further col- laborations with our clients and other banks to create a blockchain-powered consortium in the financial services industry.” His Highness Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman, Emirates NBD stated, “We look forward to further collaboration with the public sector and our private peers to further the adoption of this technology in the UAE.” Chanda Kochhar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, ICICI Bank said, “I envision that the emerging technology of blockchain will play a significant role in banking in the coming years by making complex bilateral and multi-lateral banking transactions seamless, quick and more secure.”
Indian cricket team off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will now be seen endorsing the Equitas Small Finance Bank, a private sector bank from Tamil Nadu. Equitas recently roped him in as its brand ambassador. The cricketer will now do advertising campaigns and other promotional programmes endorsing Equitas’ products and services. Ashwin, who also hails from Tamil Nadu, is the fastest Indian bowler to reach the 50, 100, 150 and 200 wickets mark in Test cricket and currently holds the No. 1 position in the ICC test bowlers’ ranking. PN Vasudevan, MD at Equitas Small Finance Bank said, “Equitas is a new age bank which seeks to provide high tech banking where the customer enjoys the banking experience. Ashwin is a high performer who gives joy to spectators. We believe each complement the other and look forward to a long association.” Ashwin said, “Equitas Small Finance Bank is working in sync with Prime Minister of India’s mission of banking for the masses. I love their vision of empowering 5% of Indian households through financial inclusion in the next ten years and I look forward to doing my small bit in this great vision.”
Ashutosh Agarwala has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Essel Infraprojects Limited. In his new office, Agarwala will be screening and examining acquisition opportunities, identifying new business prospects, raising long-term funds for group companies and conducting comprehensive business diagnosis. “Ashutosh’s joining the company highlights EIL’s commitment towards acquiring new talent,” said Ashok Agarwal, CEO, Essel Infraprojects. Agarwala was president, finance and CFO at Reliance Power Limited prior to taking up his new job. He has worked with ICICI Bank, United Phosphorus Ltd, Nagarjuna Fertilisers & Chemicals Ltd, Aditya Birla Group, GMR, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd and Essar Steel India Ltd.
Zensar Technologies (UK) Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Zensar Technologies Limited has announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Foolproof Limited along with its two wholly owned subsidiary companies in UK and one wholly owned subsidiary company in Singapore for an undisclosed sum. As per the agreement, Foolproof will now be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zensar Technologies (UK) Ltd. The deal will be financed by internal accruals, and will be EPS positive for the company.
Foolproof is one of Europe’s leading design agencies, headquartered in London with other offices in Norwich and Singapore. The company helps global brands design digital products and services and has many Global500 firms in its clients. Harsh Goenka, Chairman of RPG Enterprises and Zensar said, “Foolproof’s market leadership in experience design and the strong management team at its helm are strategic to Zensar’s plan to increase market share in this increasingly pertinent space. The integrated proposition of the two companies will augment the value Zensar delivers to clients.”
“Joining forces with Zensar will give us access to greater resources, and extends our global reach to help us in our mission to positively impact the lives of millions of people around the world through great design,” said Peter Ballard, Partner at Foolproof.
Foolproof brings marquee clients across BFSI, retail, high technology and oil and gas segments into the Zensar fold. The addition of Foolproof’s 100 consultants, with knowledge and understanding in strategy and planning, design research, design and development and creative technologies will strengthen Zensar’s digital capabilities.
Foolproof will operate under its own brand name, and will continue to be managed by founders Peter Ballard and Tom Wood. Foolproof’s management team and all their associates based in London, Norwich and Singapore will become a part of Zensar’s Global Digital Services organisation.
ARRIS International plc recently opened its largest Research and Development(R&D) and operations centre outside of the US – in Ulsoor, Bengaluru. The state-of-the-art facility has a combination of world-class engineers from two former ARRIS and Pace sites following ARRIS’s January 2016 acquisition of Pace. The centre promotes collaboration and the efficient development of advanced broadband and video solutions for the next generation of services - including Gigabit broadband, 4K TV, and Wi-Fi.
The multi-million dollar Bengaluru centre, with lab infrastructure, test facilities, and 24x7 support for installation activities at customer premises globally, provides leading design, development, and quality assurance programs across the vast majority of ARRIS global solutions.
“Our world-class Bengaluru facility is at the center of ARRIS’s global initiative to innovate and scale the technology that will transform how people around the world watch video and connect to the Internet, ” said Bob Stanzione, Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Directors. “This center unites two premier groups of engineers and empowers them with the resources to deliver the next era of innovation for our customers worldwide.”
Kiran Gadi, Country Head and VP, Engineering, ARRIS India, added: “The Bengaluru R&D center represents ARRIS’s commitment to the region, to collaboration across our talented engineering teams, and to our global customers. Together, we’re positioning ARRIS and its customers for the next stage of growth.”
Saptarshi Roy, Executive Director,NTPC has taken over as the new Director (HR) of India’s largest power company, NTPC LTD. He replaces U.P. Pani, who was superannuated upon attaining the age of superannuation on 31st October 2016. Ten other candidates, five from NTPC and the rest from companies like PGCIL, NHPCBSE, STC and DoT were in the race.
Fifty-six-year-old Roy, an Electrical Engineering graduate, has served a 36-year long stint with the NTPC. He has been Regional Executive Director (North) and ER-I Regions as well as Executive Director (Corporate Planning) besides Head of HR at Projects and Corporate Office. Roy played a critical role as HR Head in managing transition and people integration issues during acquisition of old assets and turning them around into successful ventures in NTPC. He was catalyst in ensuring healthy and productive employee relations climate conducive for growth. He has been actively involved in negotiating long term wage settlement in the past.
By Prasanna Keskar
