Spotlight: CXO movement this week (May 25 — May 31)

The week of May 25-31, 2024, saw several CXO movements in the technology industry, with global companies like UiPath and Bharti Airtel announcing major appointments for key business positions. Non-technology firms such as Standard Chartered, Jaquar Group and Vadilal Industries also announced the appointment of technology leaders to oversee their IT and digital affairs. Additionally, there were movements in the digital lending startup mPokket. Here's a roundup:

Airtel Business appoints tech veteran Sharat Sinha as new CEO

Telecom service provider Bharti Airtel announced the appointment of industry veteran Sharat Sinha as the chief executive officer (CEO) of Airtel Business. Sinha will report to Bharati Airtel CEO and managing director Gopal Vittal and also join the Airtel Management Board. He joins Airtel from cyber security company Checkpoint Software Technologies Limited where he was the president of the Asia-Pacific region. Sinha brings with him extensive experience in the technology sector, having held leadership positions at cyber security companies including Palo Alto Networks, Cisco, and VM Ware. His previous roles at Ericsson and Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (currently Tata Communications Ltd.) have also provided him with a solid background in telecommunications. (Read more)

mPokket appoints Sanjay Kar as senior vice president of data and analytics

Digital lending platform mPokket has appointed Sanjay Kar as the Senior Vice President of Data & Analytics to spearhead the development and implementation of advanced analytics tools and data systems. Kar, an MSc in mathematics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, brings over 16 years of experience in the banking sector, focusing on risk management, credit policy, predictive modelling, and digital lending. His role will involve implementing sophisticated analytics strategies to manage risk effectively, enhance operational efficiency, and drive quality business growth while providing strategic guidance to the Data and Analytics team. Kar has held impactful roles at major financial institutions such as CitiGroup, JP Morgan Chase, HSBC, Paytm, and Equifax. (Read more)

Ninad Raje joins Jaquar Group as Group Chief Information Officer

Bathroom and lighting company Jaquar Group has recently appointed Ninad Raje as the new Group Chief Information Officer (CIO). Raje joins Jaquar Group with a remarkable legacy of global leadership and transformative impact across multiple sectors, including manufacturing, BFSI, insurance, healthcare, technology, telecom, and internet services. In his new role at Jaquar Group, Raje will leverage his expertise to drive the group’s technology landscape and digital transformation globally. With a distinguished background as an alumnus of both IIT Bombay and IIM Ahmedabad, Raje emerges as a dynamic and visionary global leadership executive. With over 26 years of experience where has worked across India, the US, Europe, the Middle East, and SAARC Nations. In the past, he has held leadership C-Suite positions at HealthAssure as the Chief Information and Transformation Officer and Chief People Officer, and at UnitedHealthGroup as the Director & Head IT, leading comprehensive business and technology transformations.

Su Piow Ko becomes AET Displays' new India CEO

AET Displays Limited, part of China's Guangda Group, has appointed Su Piow Ko as CEO of the Indian market. Ko, currently Vice President at AET Global, brings over thirty years of LED technology experience to the role. He has a strong track record of leadership and technical proficiency, having rapidly advanced through the ranks in the industry. Ko's seven-year tenure at Siemens as a Senior Production Operation Manager provided him with valuable experience in overseeing large-scale manufacturing operations and improving efficiency. With Ko leading the way, AET aims to drive technological innovation, expand its market presence, enhance after-sales support, and establish strategic partnerships for sustainable growth in India. (Read more) 

TRANSEARCH India appoints new Senior Technology Partner

Samiron Ghoshal has been appointed as Senior Partner for Technology Business at TRANSEARCH India, an executive search and leadership consulting firm. With a vast amount of global leadership experience, Ghoshal's professional background includes key roles at IBM South Asia, Ernst & Young, Wipro, SAP, Rockwell Automation, and Tata Steel. Prior to joining TRANSEARCH India, he served as a Global Partner for Technology and Professional Services at an international search firm. Ghoshal's career in the Technology and Consulting industry spans over 30 years, with notable positions such as Managing Partner for IBM South Asia, Ernst & Young Partner, Wipro Vice President, and various senior roles in other renowned companies. He holds a First Division degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, and a Certificate for Digital Transformation of Enterprises from MIT Sloan School of Management, obtained in early 2021. (Read more)

Dhaval Mankad gets promoted to Head of IT at Vadilal Industries

Dhaval Mankad has recently assumed the role of Head of Information Technology at Vadilal Industries Limited. Before this, he held the position of VP - IT at Havmor Ice Cream. Dhaval has previously worked with Larsen & Toubro, Pipavav Shipyard, Reliance Industries Limited, and Source Infotech. Based in Ahmedabad, Dhaval will not only oversee enterprise applications, IT security, and infrastructure but also spearhead the company's digital transformation efforts. His responsibilities will encompass the overall IT strategy, with a particular emphasis on adopting cloud technologies, modernizing SAP ERP systems, developing web and mobile applications, harnessing data, fortifying the IT infrastructure, ensuring governance, and streamlining IT policies. Dhaval will report to Kalpit Gandhi, who serves as the CFO & Director.

UiPath to Re-Appoint Daniel Dines as CEO; Rob Enslin Steps Down

Enterprise automation and AI software firm on 29 May announced Rob Enslin resigned as Chief Executive Officer and member of the UiPath Board of Directors effective June 1, 2024. Daniel Dines, the founder and former CEO of UiPath, will be re-appointed as CEO immediately. Dines currently serves as Chief Innovation Officer and Executive Chairman of the Board. Enslin will remain engaged with UiPath as an advisor during the transition. Enslin took on the role of CEO in February after sharing a co-CEO title with Dines starting in April 2022. Dines assumed the positions of chief innovation officer and executive chairman on January 31. Dines founded UiPath with the vision of creating a company that would help humans reduce the time and stress associated with menial, repetitive administrative tasks. Today, UiPath boasts more than 10,000 customers worldwide. Enslin joined UiPath after a three-year stint at Google Cloud, where he served as president of cloud sales, as indicated on his LinkedIn account. Before that, he spent over 26 years at SAP, departing in 2019 as president of the Cloud Business Group and executive board member. In a LinkedIn post, Enslin stated, “After much reflection, I have made the difficult decision to resign as CEO of UiPath for personal reasons.”

Standard Chartered Bank gets a new MD and Global Head of Cybersecurity

Standard Chartered Bank has appointed Lavy Stokhamer as the new Managing Director and Global Head of Cybersecurity Operations. With experience in both the private and public sectors, Lavy previously led the Israeli national CERT for four years. He has been involved in various international cooperation agreements and initiatives to combat cyber threats. Lavy is known for his work with organizations such as INTERPOL, Europol, and the World Economic Forum's Partnership Against Cybercrime initiative. He has also played a key role in establishing partnerships within the Israeli financial sector. Lavy is a respected public speaker and technology expert and has successfully led cyber defence and threat management at Standard Chartered Bank for over three years.