New Delhi: Salil Parekh is all set to take
charge as Infosys CEO today as the over USD 10 billion
company looks to bring back the focus on revenue growth and
business strategy under the new leadership.
Infosys, which spent most part of 2017 handling the
public standoff between its high-profile promoters and the
past leadership, will also announce its third quarter
financials on January 12.
Industry watchers say Parekh's skills in handling multi-
cultural work environment, combined with his strong grip on
technology and sales, makes him the perfect choice for leading
Infosys during this period of transition.
Parekh, 53, is described as a soft-spoken yet determined
man by those who know him. He was chosen from over two dozen
candidates in a search that lasted about three months and
covered a wide canvas of names within Infosys as well as
alumni and external aspirants.
The former Capgemini executive's experience in building
the IT firm's operations in India and its acquisition of iGate
(in 2015) will also be an added advantage for him, they added.
This is the second time -- after Vishal Sikka -- that the
company has roped in an external candidate for the CEO role in
its over three decade history.
Sikka left Infosys abruptly in August last year, after a
prolonged standoff with promoters including the iconic N R
Narayana Murthy over allegations of corporate governance
lapses and hefty severance packages of former executives.
Parekh will work with non-executive Chairman and co-
founder Nandan Nilekani, who was brought in to steady the ship
after the resignation of Sikka and other board members,
including the then Chairman R Seshasayee.
Interestingly, Parekh's appointment has received a thumbs
up from Murthy, who was vocal in his criticism of Sikka and
the previous Infosys management.
Besides bringing stability, Parekh will also have to
focus on hiring people who are strong in digital technologies
and global sales as the IT industry, as also Infosys, is in
midst of transformation.
The road-map that Parekh sets on would be keenly watched,
not just by investors but the industry as a whole as Infosys
reboots to bring back its lost glory.
PTI
