Spotlight: CXO movement this week (Nov 30 – Dec 6)

The week of November 30 to December 6, 2024, saw significant CXO changes in the tech sector, with Zendesk and Freshworks appointing key executives. Non-tech firms like RBL Bank, Edelweiss Financial, Max Life, and Indira IVF also hired senior tech leaders to bolster their IT and digital strategies. Here’s a summary:

Zendesk appoints Mitch Young as SVP for Asia Pacific

IT and customer relationship management (CRM) provider Zendesk has appointed Mitch Young as Senior Vice President for the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. Young will oversee operations and growth in key markets such as Australia, India, Japan, and Singapore. He brings extensive experience, having previously served as General Manager for ASEAN at IBM and President for APJ at ServiceNow. He has worked across mature and emerging markets, with professional stints in Singapore and Shanghai, and is now based in Melbourne. (Read more)

Freshworks gets a new CPO

IT services firm Freshworks has named Srinivasan Raghavan as its new Chief Product Officer (CPO). With over 20 years in enterprise SaaS, Raghavan will direct product strategy focused on enhancing customer and employee experiences through AI-driven solutions. He reports to CEO Dennis Woodside and previously held the CPO role at RingCentral. He has also worked at Five9 and Cisco. Raghavan holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering and an MBA from the University Of Chicago Booth School Of Business. (Read more)

Edelweiss Financial names Ninad Varadkar as Group CISO

Edelweiss Financial Services Limited has appointed Ninad Varadkar as its Senior Vice President and Group Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). The appointment reflects the company’s efforts to address evolving cybersecurity risks in the financial sector and safeguard its digital infrastructure. With certifications such as CISSP and a strong background in cybersecurity, Varadkar will lead Edelweiss’s efforts to strengthen its defense mechanisms against increasing cyber threats, including ransomware and Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). His previous roles at Ocwen Financial Corporation and HDFC Life involved managing critical security challenges and implementing advanced security frameworks like Zero Trust architecture. (Read more)

Max Life promotes Suhail Ghai to lead digital and ops strategy

New Delhi-based life insurance firm Max Life Insurance Company Limited elevated its long-time executive Suhail Ghai to the role of Director, Chief Digital Officer, and Head of Operations. Ghai will oversee digital initiatives and operations, focusing on customer experience and policy renewals. He previously served as Chief Digital and Information Officer, leading technology advancements, including the development of an analytics unit and transitioning to a cloud-native architecture. Before joining Max Life, Ghai held senior leadership roles at PepsiCo as Chief Information Officer for the India region and at L’Oréal India, where he led IT strategy and business transformation projects. (Read more)

CEAT gets a new Chief Digital Transformation Officer

Tyre manufacturer CEAT has appointed Debashish Roy as its Chief Digital Transformation Officer. He will report to Amit Tolani, Chief Executive of CEAT Specialty, and will focus on enhancing the company’s digital innovation, customer-centric initiatives, and technological advancements. Roy brings over 15 years of experience in digital transformation, with expertise in driving innovation, developing new business models, and utilizing data analytics. His previous roles include positions at Abbott India Ltd., PwC US Advisory, and Cognizant Business Consulting, where he led large-scale transformation programs aimed at sustainable revenue growth. Before joining CEAT, he served as Director of Digital Transformation & Customer Experience at Pfizer Ltd., where he introduced advanced digital and IT solutions to enhance the company’s digital infrastructure. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) degree and a management degree in IT & Operations from IIM Mumbai. 

Amit Patil Joins RBL Bank as Deputy CISO

Amit Patil has been appointed as the Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at RBL Bank. He brings more than 20 years of extensive experience in the fields of cybersecurity, information security governance, and risk management. Amit has previously held senior leadership positions at notable organizations such as Syngene International, IDFC FIRST Bank, HDFC Bank, and DBS Bank. His career is marked by a strong proficiency in areas including cyber defense, regulatory compliance, threat intelligence, and the management of third-party risks.

Indira IVF appoints Nitin Dhingra as Chief Technology Officer

Nitin Dhingra has joined Indira IVF Group, an infertility speciality clinics chain as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Previously, he served as Chief Digital Officer (CDO) & Strategy CVC at Hindware Limited, where he spearheaded digital transformation initiatives and strategic investments in startups. With over two decades of experience, Nitin has held key positions at Hero MotoCorp, Tata Technologies, Dassault Systèmes, and Federal Mogul Goetze, driving innovation in digital transformation, IT strategy, and engineering solutions. He has been recognised with multiple awards for outstanding performance, including contributing to Hero MotoCorp’s “Manufacturing Innovator of the Year” recognition under the leadership of the Prime Minister.