Wipro ropes in IT expert Subha Tatavarti as CTO
Wipro has roped in the San Francisco- based former Walmart and PayPal executive, Subha Tatavarti as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Her appointment is one of the key additions to Wipro's leadership as part of the recent top deck organisational rejigs. All of Wipro's current CTO Service Transformation, Topcoder, Robotics, SVIC, Technovation Centre, Open Innovation and Applied Research will report to her. An IT industry veteran, Tatavarti was the senior director at Walmart leading product, technology development and commercialisation of enterprise infrastructure along with Security, data science and Edge platforms. Prior to that, she was associated with PayPal as the head of product, data platform and infrastructure. She brings in over two decades of experience in the IT sector, in the areas of product development, lifecycle management, cloud computing services, delivery, data technology and analytics. In previous roles, she was also instrumental in simplifying the data and analytics infrastructure, also pioneered CTO modernisation, and streamlining initiatives for Cloud, Platforms and Frameworks (CPF). She also led various initiatives in domains including SRE and Developer Platforms. She holds a master's in computer science and began building solutions across large enterprises like Abbott Labs, Fannie Mae, and Bearing Point at the start of her career journey.
Agnidipta SarkarCybersecurity expert Agnidipta Sarkar joins Biocon
Biocon has roped in Agnidipta Sarkar as Group CISO, as he moves on from his previous role as Director Cybersecurity at CMS IT services, post his association with the company for two years. In this new role, he will lead the cybersecurity and risk management portfolios at the biopharmaceutical company. Sarkar brings in three decades of experiences in the cybersecurity domain, having served global companies like CMS IT services, DXC Technologies, HPE and HP Inc. In his most recent role at CMS IT, he led the transformation of cybersecurity hygiene and new-age digital security projects. Sarkar also developed a range of cybersecurity practices that address the challenges making the practice a reliable cybersecurity systems integrator in India. He has also authored and launched cybersecurity-related books, 'Defensible Cybersecurity' as the new approach to cybersecurity based on ISO27001 and its family of standards, Lockheed Martin's Cyber-Kill-Chain, NIST cybersecurity framework, and DOE C2M2.
Bijoya RoyPernod Ricard ropes in Bijoya Roy
Bijoya Roy, former Group General Counsel and Vice President, Flipkart, has quit the e-commerce giant to join Pernod Ricard - the French spirits group as general counsel for South Asia, effective April 12, 2021. Based out of Mumbai, she will be responsible for the group's legal issues related to corporate, compliance and employment in the South Asian market. She brings in extensive legal, strategic leadership and governance experience from her previous stints with Walmart-Flipkart combine and Thomson Reuters. She will be integral to the future growth of the company identified by its premium brands such as Chivas Regal whisky and Absolut vodka in India and South Asia. A qualified Solicitor of England and Wales with a dual qualification from India, she is a team leader supporting global markets across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Russia. She was promoted as the General Counsel at Thomson Reuters In January 2017. She later joined Walmart owned - Flipkart as the Vice President and Group General Counsel in January 2019. Bijoya kick-started her career with Tata Housing Development Company as assistant manager legal in 2002, moving on to Asian Paints, Eastman Kodak as well as Thomson Reuters. An alumnus of Symbiosis International University, she holds a postgraduate diploma in EC competition law from King's College, London and is an experienced senior lawyer with a career history of working in the information technology, media, and services industries. She is skilled in legal strategies enabling sustainable business growth, negotiations and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).
Mallika SrinivasanMallika Srinivasan takes over as PESB Chairperson
In a first, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved Mallika Srinivasan, Chairman and Managing Director of Tractors and Farm Equipment Ltd (TAFE) to be appointed as the Chairperson of the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) for three years from the date of assumption of charge, or until she attains 65 years, whichever is earlier. This is the first time that a private sector expert has been selected to helm affairs as the head of the PESB that is responsible for the appointment of top management posts in the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). With this move, the Union Government has made a significant shift with regards to appointments of senior level executives in central public sector enterprises as Mallika becomes the first corporate leader to undertake this position. In heading Chennai- based TAFE, Mallika was instrumental in developing the company into the country's second largest tractor manufacturer. The better half of Venu Srinivasan, Chairman, TVS Motor Co., Mallika is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. She is also a member of the governing board of the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. A board member of AGCO Corporation ' U.S., Tata Steel and Tata Global Beverages Limited, she is recognised for her entrepreneurship and contribution to the agriculture sector. She has been instrumental in building TAFE as the third largest tractor manufacturer in the world and at an annual sale of over 150,000 units, TAFE stands at second position in India by volume sale.
Manabu YamazakiManabu Yamazaki takes over as President- CEO, Canon India
Canon India has appointed Manabu Yamazaki as the new president and CEO, effective April 1, 2021 to spearhead the company's India business strategy and operations. Yamazaki has replaced veteran Kazutada Kobayashi who has been leading the portfolio across various markets in India. As Kobayashi steps into a larger role within the organisation, Yamazaki will oversee strategic operations at Canon India. He will be responsible for strengthening the existing core businesses and boost up growth in the brand's imaging expertise in greenfield areas in India. A seasoned leader, Yamazaki has worn multiple hats throughout his career. He has been associated with Canon since 1989 and is a notable contributor to its businesses across European, Middle Eastern, Russian, and the African markets. In his previous role, he served as a chief regional officer for the brand in Eastern China, overseeing various functions in the APAC region.
Khushru JijinaPiramal Enterprises onboards Khushru Jijina as ED
Khushru Jijina, Managing Director, Piramal Capital, will join as Executive Director (ED), Financial Services on the Board of the publicly listed Piramal Enterprises Limited. As ED, on the board for financial services, Khushru will lead the group's wholesale business while being integrally involved across all its fin-services platforms. The aim is to drive the group's transformation into a more diversified, sustainable, technology-led business. The onus will also be to help develop and train the next generation of leaders in shouldering greater responsibilities in growing their business to greater levels. Khushru has been associated with the group since 2001 and has been instrumental in setting up of the Group's Financial Services business. He has invested himself in the key role of setting up of the alternative investments business, which today showcases global investors such as CDPQ, CPPIB and Bain Capital. He has been recognised with multiple leadership awards such as the Asia One: Global India 2017, Business Leader of the Year: Global Real Estate Congress 2017, Visionary in Real Estate Financing ' NDTV Property Awards 2017 and Entrepreneur of the Year in the financial services industry by Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (APEA) in 2017. He began his career journey with Rallis, a TATA Group company, where over a span of more than a decade, he held several important positions in the corporate finance and treasury domain.
Asha KhargaAsha Kharga quits Axis Bank, joins Mahindra Group
The Mahindra Group has roped in Axis Bank's Asha Kharga as Chief Customer and Brand Officer. The former executive vice president and group chief marketing officer at Axis Bank was responsible for creating and implementing marketing strategies that led to increased awareness, consideration, and brand trust. Her four-year stint with Axis Bank began in 2016 as Chief Marketing Officer. A management and marketing veteran, she brings in 20 years of experience having worked with Hindustan Unilever for eight years, also served as the Marketing Director of Brooke Bond and Lipton Tea for two years. In 2008, she began her journey with Unilever as a senior brand development manager and gradually progressed as a marketing director for Brooke Bond and Lipton tea by 2014; where she led and developed their strategic marketing and innovation programmes. Her experiences also extend to advertising agencies such as Leo Burnett, JWT and TBWA. At Leo Burnett, she was responsible for heading the Tide India business. With JWT, Kharga was the account planner for Lux and Closeup brand.
Hemin BharuchaHemin Bharucha is Country Head India for London trade body
Hemin Bharucha has been appointed as Country Director (India) for London & Partners (L&P), a not-for-profit public-private partnership, funded by the Mayor of London and its commercial network partners. He will be reporting to Janet Coyle, Managing Director, Business Growth, L&P. Mumbai-based Bharucha is the Mayor of London's chief representative in India and leading teams in India. His role with London & Partners Senior Leadership team is advisory on strategic plans for the trade body while participatory in the evaluation of projects. His portfolio entails monitoring budgets and financial affairs. He is also responsible for delivering set targets for trade and investment activities in India, that encourages Indian companies to expand their business into London as well as support London-based companies to enter the Indian market with identifiable suitable partnerships. As London's senior-most government representative in India, he maintains strategic relationships with key stakeholders in both the countries with heads and cabinet ministers of central and state government, top bureaucrats, Mayor of London's office, Greater London Authority, UK's Department of International trade business leaders, heads of major trade bodies across India and London and senior business leaders. Under Hemin's leadership, India ranks amongst the top three countries that invest in London for business, students, and visitors. In FY 2019-2020, India was the second largest investor in the UK. Despite the lockdown in FY 2020-2021, India continued to be one of the fastest-growing markets for London as 16 new companies set up shop in the city.
Ajay BharwaniAjay Bharwani quits Lupin
Ajay Bharwani, former Global Head - IT & Technical Applications, Lupin has joined as Group CIO & Head of Digital Transformation with Writer Corporation - a multi-business enterprise into global relocations, realty and information and cash management. In his new role, he will lead the group's technology function wherein IT leads of the group's various divisions will report to him. Based out of Mumbai, he has relinquished his two-and-a-half years at Lupin to spearhead the IT mantle at Writer Corp and will report the organisation's Chief Corporate Services Officer, Hemant Rehani. He will be responsible for creating the roadmap for the adaptation and implementation of technologies aligned with business strategy and operations. This would include mapping end-to-end user journeys in understanding digital point of contacts and delivering IT solutions in mobile apps, AR/VR and chatbots, ERP, customer portals, CRM and also driving the change management and adoption programmes for new projects. In his previous roles, Bharwani, an engineering graduate has more than 29 years of professional experience having worked with Lupin, Ernst & Young, SAP, PwC and L&T Infotech.
Yongsung KimOla Electric ropes in Korean auto veteran
Ola Electric has roped in Yongsung Kim, an automobile veteran and former Executive Director of Kia Motors India as its Head of Global Sales and Distribution. He will be in charge of the domestic and international strategy for sales at Ola Electric at a time when the company is gearing up to launch its first electric scooter in India and international markets including Europe, the UK, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. Hiring Yongsung seals Ola Electric's intentions for a space in the electric 2-wheeler segment. He brings in 35 years of global experience having had previous stints in key roles with both Hyundai and Kia Motors. Yongsung is a familiar face in India and his new role with Ola brings him back to India, having played India-specific roles with Hyundai and Kia. His induction is expected to provide a game-changing strategy for Ola's range of Electric Vehicles (EVS). His expertise in sales, distribution and service will be critical to Ola's global expansion in bringing its innovative electric products in the domestic and international markets.
Vivek KanadeSiemens Healthcare India promotes Vivek Kanade
Vivek Kanade has been promoted as Managing Director (MD), Operations by Siemens Healthcare India, the wholly- owned subsidiary of Siemens Healthineers AG, which is the medical technology arm of the diversified German Siemens group. Effective April 1, 2021, with his new elevation, he moves up a notch from his previous role as the executive director. A Siemen's veteran, he has been associated with the company for 27 years and held diverse positions across sales and service management; regional and modality management. He will continue to lead Siemens Healthineers India, looking after its manufacturing, sales, and distribution. This includes a strategy for 'zone India', comprising neighbouring countries of Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Zone India team works towards the common goal of shaping the future of healthcare, in making medicine more precise and affordable. Its value is based on care delivery where patients are treated as consumers, and healthcare becomes digital. Kanade's last assignment before he moved from Siemens Healthineers was as Vice President of global sales and marketing for the refurbished business, based in Forchheim, Germany.
Amit ChadhaAmit Chadha promoted as CEO & MD of L&T Tech Services
Amit Chadha has taken over as the CEO and Managing Director of L&T Technology Services Limited (LTTS), effective April 1, 2021. His appointment falls in line with previous disclosures made to the stock exchanges in October 2020. His new role is an elevation from his previous role of the Deputy CEO & Whole-Time Board Member and comes at a time when the engineering and R&D (ER&D) services sector is expected to play a critical role over the next decade as engineering and technology innovations reshape future products and services. Amit's journey with LTTS began in 2009 as part of its executive management team, actively involved in the company's listing on stock exchanges in 2016. Thereon, he gradually moved notches and took charge as President of the company's Sales and Business Development, enabling its global R&D customers and Fortune 500 companies in leveraging LTTS' digital engineering offerings. Amit brings in over 20 years of his experiences into core engineering and information technology outsourcing. He has managed P&L for multiple business units, while steering the organisation's strategic initiatives, also leading business development and relationship management globally. An electrical and electronics engineer, he holds a Global Business Leadership Executive Program with Harvard Business Publishing.