Wipro appoints ex-ICICI Prudential CEO NS Kannan to its executive board

Technology and consulting company Wipro has appointed former ICICI Prudential Life Insurace Co. Ltd. Managing Director and Chief Exercutive Office NS Kannan to its board of directors. This appointment will be for five years effective October 1. However, it’s a subject to the approval of shareholders.  

In his new role, Kannan will serve as an independent director on the board. Besides, playing key roles in the ICICI group, Kannan has previously served as advisor in the DHFL bankruptcy case.  

With over 30 years of experience in the financial domain, he led ICICI Prudential Life Insurance's transformation into a multiproduct and multi-channel company. Kannan has served in various leadership roles in the ICICI group including as Executive Director & CFO of ICICI Bank and Chairman/Non-Executive Director of various ICICI group companies.  

He has also been part of various government and regulatory body committees. He was also appointed as advisor to resolve DHFL bankruptcy case by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). He was also member of the Corporate Bonds and Securitization Advisory Committee of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), head of the Regulatory Review Committee constituted by Life & General Insurance Councils.  

Kannan was also a member of the Insurance Advisory Committee constituted by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). Besides, he served as member of the RBI Steering Committee on the implementation of Indian Accounting Standards. 

On his Kannan’s appointment, Wipro chairman Rishad Premji said, “We are pleased to have Kannan on our Board. Kannan is a veteran of the financial services industry, and Wipro will greatly benefit from his leadership experience, and expertise across Finance, Strategy, Corporate Governance, Risk Management, and beyond.” 

“I am excited and honoured to join the Board of Wipro, an iconic values and purpose-driven company that is a key technology partner to some of the most respected clients globally. I look forward to contributing to its next phase of growth and impact,” Kannan said. 

Kannan holds a graduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from NIT, Trichy, Chartered Financial Analyst from the ICFAI, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management from IIM, Bangalore.