T K Kurien appointed Executive Vice Chairman.
By Dileep Thekkethil
Wipro Limited, one of India’s pioneering information technology companies, today appointed T K Kurien as its Executive Vice Chairman and Abidali Z Neemuchwala as the company’s Chief Executive Officer and Member of the Board. Both appointments will be effective from February 1, 2016.
Since his appointment as the CEO of Wipro five years back, Kurien has been instrumental in overhauling and energizing India’s third largest IT service company. Even though Wipro is struggling to keep pace with its rival companies, the changes brought in by Kurien has transformed the company into a next generation IT firm equipped with talents to compete in the future markets.
In the meanwhile, Neemuchwala, who is based in Dallas, Texas, has a strong vision about the next generation services. Neemuchwala, who was earlier with Tata Consultancy Services, was roped in last March and since then he has been considered as one of the forerunners to the post of Wipro’s CEO.
Last year, Meemuchwala had proposed an ambitious plan to reduce $300 million from the annual spending for the operations of Wipro. He achieved this by automation and artificial tools that reduced the number of human support needed for the completion of projects.
“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 to 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 TK 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.