Spotlight: CXO movement this week (March 22 - March 28)

The week (March 22-28, 2025) was buzzing with several CIO/CTO movements, especially in the non-tech sectors. Companies such as Kotak Mahindra Bank, Maruti Suzuki, Sammaan Capital and National Highways Infra Trust appointed new leaders to lead some of their technology and digital affairs. Movements also happened in AI-led startup MaxIQ. Here’s the roundup:

Kotak Mahindra Bank appointed Bhavnish Lathia as its new CTO

Kotak Mahindra Bank has appointed Bhavnish Lathia as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). According to a regulatory filing, Lathia will be designated as Senior Management Personnel. Lathia has been with Kotak Mahindra Bank since August 2022, serving as Chief of Customer Experience and Head of Technology for the Consumer Banking division. With over 27 years of experience in global technology, product management, and platform management, he has worked with several internationally recognised organisations. Lathia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, a Master’s in Computer Science, and an MBA. He is also part of the bank’s Key Leadership Team, contributing to strategic decision-making in technology and customer experience.

Tapan Sahoo to lead digital enterprise and cybersecurity at Maruti Suzuki

Maruti Suzuki India Limited has appointed Tapan Sahoo as Head of Digital Enterprise and Information & Cyber Security effective April 1st, 2025. In this pivotal role, Sahoo will spearhead Maruti Suzuki's technological strategy by developing innovative digital solutions to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency. He will focus on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), fostering collaborations with startups and academia, and leading the development of comprehensive digital enterprise strategies and robust information and cyber-security frameworks. Sahoo brings over 33 years of automotive industry experience, including significant contributions to Maruti Suzuki's R&D and the technological advancement of auto component suppliers in India.

Deepak Panda joins as GM-IT at NHAI

Deepak Panda has been named the General Manager of Information Technology at NHAI InvIT (National Highways Infra Trust), leveraging his extensive experience in IT infrastructure management, cybersecurity, ERP implementations, and digital transformation. Before his tenure at NHAI InvIT, Deepak served in significant leadership positions at VCL Group, UMSL, and Century Plyboards, where he was instrumental in IT governance, system deployments, and the integration of emerging technologies. His profound knowledge of enterprise software, cloud computing, and business intelligence establishes him as a strategic leader poised to propel technological progress at NHAI InvIT.

Sammaan Capital appoints Dharmvir S as CTO

Dharmvir S. has been appointed as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Sammaan Capital Limited, bringing his extensive expertise in IT strategy, digital transformation, and enterprise architecture. Before joining Sammaan Capital, Dharmvir held key leadership roles at Spandana Sphoorty Financial Limited, Home First Finance Company, and Hero FinCorp, where he spearheaded large-scale digital transformation initiatives, IT governance, and cloud-first strategies. His expertise in application modernisation, cybersecurity, and data-driven decision-making has played a crucial role in scaling financial technology platforms. With deep experience in managing IT infrastructure, compliance, and B2B/B2C technology rollouts, Dharmvir is set to drive innovation and strengthen Sammaan Capital’s technology ecosystem for future growth.

Dell & Intel-backed AI startup MaxIQ appoints Sastry Malladi as CTO

MaxIQ, the AI-led Revenue Platform for B2B SaaS enterprises backed by Dell Technologies Capital and Intel Capital announced the appointment of Sastry Malladi as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). A veteran technology leader with more than three decades of experience, Sastry will lead MaxIQ’s product and engineering organisation as it scales its Revenue AI platform that empowers go-to-market teams to drive predictable growth and maximise customer lifetime value. Sastry brings a wealth of experience to MaxIQ, especially his experience of management through co-founding multiple startups, including FogHorn Systems, which achieved a successful exit and was a pioneer in Edge AI. He has also had significant experience in technology leadership roles at eBay and Oracle, building scalable, global platforms.