Spotlight: CXO movement this week (Aug 3 – Aug 9)

During the week of August 3-9, there were significant changes in leadership positions within the technology industry. Companies such as Wipro, Genpact and Zendesk made important announcements regarding key business positions. Meanwhile, the head of Amazon India resigned and movements also occurred in non-tech energy management companies like Smart Joules. Here's the roundup:

Genpact appoints former Accenture exec as Chief Technology and Innovation Officer

IT services company Genpact has named Sanjeev Vohra as its first Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, effective immediately. Vohra will report directly to President and CEO Balkrishan Kalra. Vohra brings over 30 years of technology and consulting experience. Before joining Genpact, Vohra led Accenture Applied Intelligence, where he significantly expanded the company’s data and AI business and advised C-suite executives on leveraging data, advanced analytics, and AI for strategic growth. His leadership roles at Accenture were focused on digital transformation and creating new growth opportunities. An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, he is expected to accelerate Genpact’s artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technology initiatives. His role will involve driving the company’s technology strategy, innovation framework, strategic partnerships, and talent development. (Read more)
 
Manish Tiwary to resign as head of Amazon India

Manish Tiwary is stepping down from the post of Amazon India head. His departure from the company comes eight years after he joined the company in 2016 as the Vice President (VP) and climbed up the ranks to become the country manager in 2020. According to a company statement, Tiwary will continue with Amazon until October to help ensure a smooth transition. While Tiwary’s successor hasn’t been named yet, Amit Agarwal, Senior VP of India and Emerging Markets, will remain closely involved with the Amazon India team, the company statement added. Amazon’s cloud business, Amazon Web Services (AWS), in India, saw major exits last year. Puneet Chandok, the India and South Asia head for AWS, exited the company in August 2023. Vaishali Kasture, the then head of enterprise for mid-market and global businesses at AWS India and South Asia, on an interim basis, took on the role of commercial business for the unit. (Read more)
 
Energy management company Smart Joules appoints new CPTO

Smart Joules, an energy management company, announced the appointment of Gaurav Kejriwal as its new Chief of Product and Technology Officer (CPTO). Kejriwal, a technology leader known for scaling enterprise products, will drive the company’s innovation in automation, IoT, and artificial intelligence across sectors such as hospitals, hotels, IT parks, malls, and the pharmaceutical industry. This initiative aims to create a sustainable and energy-efficient future for businesses on a global scale. Before joining Smart Joules, Kejriwal worked at GreyOrange Pvt. Ltd, a warehouse automation company specializing in robotics and software solutions. Most recently, he started an intrapreneurial venture with a first-of-its-kind Robotic AMR Technology called RMS, replacing traditional conveyors and scaling it to approximately $15 million in revenue across multiple geographies. Gaurav’s appointment comes at a crucial time as Smart Joules is expanding its product portfolio and market reach. (Read more)
 
Zendesk ropes in AI expert Lila Tretikov to Board of Directors

Customer experience solutions provider Zendesk announced AI expert Lila Tretikov has joined its Board of Directors. Tretikov currently serves as Partner and Head of AI Strategy at NEA and was formerly Microsoft’s Deputy Chief Technology Officer. Her life’s work is focused on bringing together interdisciplinary and diverse teams to help solve the world's most challenging problems and empower humanity through technology. Her previous experience also includes founding and scaling companies, operating a top-5 web and media property, a top-10 U.S. retail bank, the largest global energy private-public partnership, and a first-tier venture capital firm.

Wipro names new CISO and elevates two other executives

Wipro, a leading IT services company in India, has reportedly promoted three senior executives as part of CEO Srini Pallia's ongoing restructuring efforts. Aathir Ahad, the general manager and head of managed security services, is now stepping up as the Chief Information Security Officer, emphasising the company's focus on data protection and information security. Nanda Kishore, who is currently the COO of Americas One, has been appointed as the chief of delivery and operational excellence, reporting to Pallia. He takes over from Ajit Mahale, who has decided to leave Wipro for new ventures. Additionally, Dilip Dialani, the vice president for Wipro’s fullstride cloud, will take over Kishore’s previous role as COO of Americas One in Q3.