Spotlight: CXO movements this week (May 24-30)

The week (May 24-30) was teeming with CXO movements in the tech domain. IT companies such as LTIMindtree, Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) and Trellix, appointed industry leaders in key business positions. Non-IT companies such as Ather Energy, JM Financial Ltd and LyondellBasell appointed tech executives to lead some of their IT and digital affairs. CXO movements also happened in tech startups like Zithara.AI, BeBetta and Biz2X, a Biz2Credit subsidiary. Here’s a roundup.

Debashis Chatterjee, CEO and MD of LTIMindtree retired for personal reasons on May 30, six months before his term's end. Venugopal Lambu, the current CEO Designate, will succeed him as CEO and MD, effective May 31. The appointment was decided at the L&T subsidiary's board meeting on Friday and also names Lambu as director until January 23, 2030. Lambu previously served as CEO of Randstad Digital after working at LTIMindtree from 2020 to 2023 and was appointed CEO designate in January. His return is viewed as a move to stabilise LTIMindtree, which has experienced numerous senior executive departures since its formation in November 2022. Chatterjee had led the merged entity after serving as CEO and MD of Mindtree since 2019.

Hinduja Global Solutions has promoted Venkatesh Korla to Global CEO, succeeding Partha De Sarkar. Korla, previously President and CEO of HGS Americas, brings 25 years of experience in digital services and customer experience. He founded Element Solutions, now HGS’ tech services foundation.

Meanwhile, cybersecurity firm Trellix has appointed Sanket Karode as Marketing Manager – India & SAARC. Karode, with 15 years of experience in cybersecurity marketing, will lead Trellix’s regional marketing strategy, driving growth and brand visibility. 

There has been a significant momentum in the non-tech companies as well. Ather Energy hired Anjani Kumar as Chief Digital and Information Officer to spearhead digital strategy using his 24+ years of experience from IBM, Nissan, and Cognizant. Kumar will develop digital platforms, strengthen IT, and enhance data to boost Ather's electric mobility commitment.

JM Financial Ltd. (JMFL), a financial services group headquartered in Mumbai has promoted Sachchidanand Muchandi to Executive Director & Group CISO. With almost three decades of cybersecurity experience, Muchandi will lead information security governance at the group level, building on his 16-year tenure with JM Financial.

Also, US-based multinational chemical company LyondellBasell appointed Kaushik Majumder as Director of Infrastructure Services. Majumder, with over two decades of IT operations and digital transformation expertise, will lead LyondellBasell’s infrastructure strategy from Mumbai.

Notably, the week saw a flurry of activity in the emerging tech startup sector, with companies making key CXO appointments. Biz2X, a Biz2Credit subsidiary, has appointed Anupam Saha as CISO to lead global cybersecurity, compliance, and risk management. Saha, rejoining Biz2X, will implement security frameworks and drive innovation using AI and automation.

Zithara.AI, an AI startup, has named Ravi Bhushan Ojha as VP of Product Engineering. Ojha will oversee AI solution development for customer acquisition, engagement, and support automation, leveraging his 14 years of experience in enterprise software and SaaS.

Meanwhile, BeBetta, a gamified engagement platform, has appointed Manoj Bojja as CTO and Saatvik Goel as CMO. Bojja, with over a decade of gaming industry experience, will oversee product innovation and AI-driven features. Goel will lead user acquisition and brand positioning, drawing from his experience at Eloelo and Doubtnut. 

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