Spotlight: CXO movement this week (Aug 10 - Aug 16)

The week of August 10-16 marked significant leadership changes in the technology industry. While Indian IT services major Wipro made some important executive announcements, non-technology companies such as Tata Starbucks India and Raychem RPG announced appointments of their respective technology leaders. Movements also happened at the global pharmaceutical company Pfizer. Here's the roundup:

Sandhya Arun appointed as CTO of Wipro, Tatavarti resigns

A major drama unfolds at the country’s fourth-largest IT firm Wipro this week. Sandhya Arun has been appointed as the chief technology officer (CTO) of Wipro hours after Subha Tatavarti resigned from the post to pursue opportunities outside the company. Over the past eight years, Arun has held various leadership roles at Wipro, playing a key role in driving technological innovation, spearheading digital transformation, and leading the integration of artificial intelligence.

As one of the founding leaders of Wipro Digital, Arun’s strategic partnerships have been vital in advancing clients’ digital transformation initiatives. Throughout her 30-year career, Arun has shown remarkable adaptability, taking on diverse roles across technology consulting, cloud and engineering transformation, as well as digital commerce and marketing, according to the company.

Earlier this week, the firm announced the resignation of Tatavarti with her tenure at the company lasting for less than four years. The company's official statement said that Tatavarti will now pursue opportunities outside Wipro. Her departure follows three executive appointments aimed at ongoing restructuring under CEO Srini Pallia last week. Notably, the company has experienced over ten senior-level resignations in 2023 alone, including the earlier resignation of CEO Thierry Delaporte and COO Amit Choudhary. (Read more)

Nikhil Bhushan joins Tata Starbucks India as CTO

Nikhil Bhushan has joined Tata Starbucks India as CTO, aiming to enhance customer experience and streamline operations. With 24 years of leadership experience, he previously worked as the Head of IT and Chief Information and Security Officer (CISO) of Travel Food Services Pvt Ltd. Before that, he was the Vice President of Citi; and the Head of CIB Automation Testing and Global Test Manager of Equity & Commodity Derivatives at BNP Paribas India Solutions Private Limited. 

Bhushan has also worked with companies like Oracle and Infosys. He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the Vishwakarma Institute of Technology and an Executive MBA from the Indian School of Business.

Mehjabeen Taj Aalam starts working at Raychem RPG as CDIO

Mehjabeen Taj Aalam has been appointed Chief Digital & Information Officer (CDIO) at Raychem RPG (P) Ltd. Aalam brings extensive expertise in virtualisation, disruptive technologies, and digital transformation. She joined Raychem RPG (P) Ltd. in 2022, initially serving as the CIO and then as its CDO.

Her previous roles include CIO of Tata Capital Housing Finance Limited, Technology Head (Digital) at Tata Capital, and Head of Information Technology at Muthoot Homefin (India) Limited. Aalam has also held positions at Fullerton India Credit Company Ltd. and Mahindra Group. Aalam holds a post-graduate degree in Computer Applications from Indira Gandhi National Open University and an MBA in Systems and Marketing from SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies.

Pfizer hires former Nvidia alum as chief AI and analytics officer

Global pharmaceutical company Pfizer has hired Berta Rodriguez-Hervas to helm its AI operations. In a LinkedIn post on Monday, Rodriguez-Hervas said that she has joined Pfizer to serve as chief AI and analytics officer. As part of the new role, she will also serve as the co-chair of Pfizer’s AI Council.

A tech industry veteran, Rodriguez-Hervas brings more than a decade of experience with AI, machine learning and analytics to the pharma giant. In her most recent role, she served as VP of artificial intelligence, algorithms and machine learning operations at automotive company Stellantis. There, she oversaw the design and implementation of strategy for the next generation of the company’s autonomous vehicles. Before that, she was a senior SW engineering manager and principal scientist at chip designer Nvidia as well as a machine-learning manager at electric car maker Tesla. Earlier in her career, she worked as a PhD research associate at Mercedes-Benz.