Spotlight: CXO movements this week (June 1 - June 7)

The week of June 1-7, 2024, witnessed some significant CXO movements in the tech industry, with several major appointments announced for key business positions. Global firms such as Blue Star Limited, FedEx and ACME Group made important announcements regarding tech leaders who will be leading their IT and digital affairs. Movements also happened in IT firms such as Sasken Technologies and Decimal Point Analysis. Here’s the roundup:

Sandeep Shahi joins FedEx as VP-IT for Asia Pacific

Federal Express Corporation — popularly known as FedEx, a global transportation and logistics company announced the appointment of Sandeep Shahi as Vice President of Information Technology in Asia Pacific. He will be responsible for driving the company’s technology operations in the region. Shahi began his career in Germany with IT software and consulting major SAP AG before transitioning to the logistics industry, where he led digital transformation and the adoption of digital solutions, playing a key role in the modernisation of integrated IT architectures. Operating at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds, FedEx's business strategy in the Asia Pacific region is deeply rooted in innovation. The company is committed to making supply chains smarter by deploying technology to enhance the service experience, automate processes, and improve customer efficiency.

Sasken Technologies announces leadership transition

Sasken Technologies, a provider of product engineering and digital transformation solutions, announced this week that CEO Abhijit Kabra has decided to move on owing to personal reasons. In light of this, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), Rajiv C. Mody, will assume additional responsibilities of CEO immediately, ensuring continuity and sustained leadership, the company said. The company also announced the appointment of Alwyn Joseph Premkumar as President & Chief Operating Officer (COO) who will be based in the USA and will be responsible for all regions across the globe. He brings over 18 years of experience in the technology and engineering services sectors, having held senior leadership roles at TCS, ITC Infotech, and more recently as deputy CEO at FPT Software Americas.

Kushal Kumar Varshney is the new IT head for ACME Group

ACME Group has appointed Kushal Kumar Varshney as Assistant Vice President and Head of IT. He was Chief Technology Officer of Virescent Infrastructure (IndiGrid) before joining ACME Group. He has earlier worked with IBM, Raymond, Mahyco, CleanMax Solar, and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. A Digital Transformer, a Business Partner, and a lifelong learner with nearly two decades of experience in Enterprises and startups across Manufacturing, Consulting, Risk, Audit-Advisory, and service verticals, Varshney has proven expertise in designing and executing business transformation programs, delivering quantified business benefits, and ensuring high customer satisfaction.

Udit Pahwa joins Blue Star Limited as CIO

Udit Pahwa has taken on the role of CIO at Blue Star Limited, a leading manufacturer of air conditioners, air purifiers, and water coolers. Pahwa previously served as the Group CIO at Kirloskar Management Services and has over 25 years of experience in leading Digital Transformation and Business Process Digitization initiatives. With a background that includes roles at Huhtamaki India, Polycab Wires, Oracle India, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young India Consulting, Global Electronic Commerce, and the Jasubhai Group, Pahwa is recognised for his ability to create robust IT infrastructure and architecture that deliver IT benefits to solve business issues while managing costs and risks. Additionally, he is a chartered accountant with a strong understanding of technology and a track record of winning multiple awards.

Cashfree Payments appoints former RBI exec as Independent Director

Fintech company Cashfree Payments has appointed Abhaya Hota, a former executive of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), as an Independent Director. A veteran in the banking and payments industry, Hota, brings over 30 years of experience, including a significant 26-year tenure at the RBI. Hota's experience includes his role as Managing Director and CEO of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), where he was instrumental in the design, development, and implementation of several key payment systems and policies in India. Notably, he played a crucial role in the implementation of MICR technology for cheque clearing, the launch of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and the development of RuPay, India's indigenous credit card scheme. His portfolio includes serving as an Independent Director and Board Chairman at Federal Bank, Independent Director and Chairman at NSE Clearing Limited, and Managing Director and CEO at NPCI.

Decimal Point Analytics appoints new CTO

Financial research and analytics company Decimal Point Analytics has appointed Dilip Sah as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). In this role, Sah will oversee the development and implementation of advanced technologies to further strengthen Decimal Point Analytics' product offerings and streamline its operations. Sah is a seasoned technology leader with over 20 years of experience in driving innovation and building high-performing teams. He brings a wealth of expertise in data, AI, cloud strategy, and digital product development. He is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad.  Prior to joining Decimal Point Analytics, Sah held leadership roles at MSMEx, eGain, Vuclip, FIS, and Entercoms, where he led initiatives in technology, product development, data analytics, and marketing technology. He also founded TechLadd, a company specialising in digital transformation through custom generative AI solutions for enterprises.