Wipro appoints Neemuchwala as CEO
Wipro has appointed TK Kurien as the executive vice chairman and Abidali Z Neemuchwala as the chief executive officer and member of the board of the company. Both these appointments are effective February 1. Kurien, who turns 58 next year, will complete his five-year tenure as CEO in January.
Kurien has restructured Wipro and made major efforts to energize it, but the third-largest IT services company continues to lag rivals. The change of guard at Wipro signals a new order in the $7.6 billion IT firm that’s transforming itself into a next generation IT services company.
Neemuchwala has a strong vision around the ‘as-a-service economy’. Based in Dallas, US, he has been seen as the frontrunner for the top post ever since he was roped into Wipro in March. He was previously with TCS for 23 years. Earlier this year, Kurien articulated an ambitious plan to reduce $300 million from the company’s cost of operations in the current fiscal. And it was Neemuchwala who was tasked with the responsibility of achieving the target, partly through automation and artificial tools to reduce the number of people required for a particular project.
Azim Premji, chairman, Wipro said TK Kurien will enable Abid by leveraging his deep relationships with customers and chart out a new technology roadmap for Wipro.
“Over the past five years, Wipro has been transforming into a next-generation technology and consulting company with defining differentiators in the market place,” said Azim Premji, chairman, Wipro Limited. “As executive vice chairman, TK will enable Abid by leveraging his deep relationships with customers and chart out a new technology roadmap for Wipro.”
“In his nine months as the group president and chief operating officer, Abid has effortlessly assimilated into the culture and ethos of Wipro. The new structure will ensure smooth succession and will build on the solid foundation we have developed to drive superior growth and profitability. I wish both TK and Abid every success in their new roles,” added Premji.
TK Kurien, will continue to report into Azim Premji and will remain a member of the board until March 31, 2017.
“Abid has demonstrated a deep understanding of technology, business vision, sound judgement, and an innate ability to bring people together. I have no doubt that Abid is the right leader to lead Wipro in its next phase of growth,” said Kurien.
“It is a privilege and an honour to be invited to lead Wipro, a company with a rich heritage of technology innovation and unflinching commitment to values. I am convinced that we are well positioned to seize new opportunities in today’s marketplace. I look forward to working with the thousands of Wiproites to take our company to greater heights,” said Abidali Neemuchwala.
SOURCE: PTI