Spotlight: CXO movements this week (July 26-Aug 1)

The week (July 26-Aug 1) saw several CXO movements in the technology domain. Tech companies such as  Hexaware, Fulcrum Digital, Neo4j, Ingram Micro and New Relic appointed industry leaders in key business positions. Non-IT companies such as N. Ranga Rao & Sons and Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, among others, appointed tech executives to lead some of their IT and digital affairs. Movement also happened in startups like Neo4j. Here’s a roundup:

Hexaware appoints former HCLTech exec to lead healthcare, life sciences, and insurance 

Hexaware Technologies has appointed Shantanu Baruah as President and Global Head of Healthcare, Life Sciences, and Insurance. Baruah, formerly Executive Vice President at HCLTech, led the Healthcare vertical and expanded business in the Americas in the company. He brings over 25 years of industry experience to Hexaware. Based in Hexaware’s New Jersey office, he will lead the company’s global strategy, growth, and client success initiatives within the vertical. His background includes a master’s degree in computer applications and a bachelor’s degree in zoology, providing a blend of technical and scientific perspectives to the role. 
 

Fulcrum Digital appoints new SVP for tech and innovation

Pune-based IT firm Fulcrum Digital has appointed Bhaskar Gandavabi as Senior Vice President – Technology and Innovation. Gandavabi will be based in the company’s New York City office. In his new role, Bhaskar will lead Fulcrum Digital’s technology and innovation initiatives across global markets. An industry veteran, Gandavabi has over three decades of experience in IT services, having held roles ranging from developer to CTO and CEO. In the past, he has worked with several organisations like AIG, Prudential, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, Standard & Poor’s, Reuters, and SiriusXM. He has expertise across domains including finance, insurance, media, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, education, and the public sector.

Neo4j appoints Ish Thukral to lead India and SAARC

Neo4j, a startup known for its graph database technology, appointed Ish Thukral as General Manager for India and SAARC. In his new role, Thukral will drive regional business growth, expand partnerships, and support customer engagement as the company builds its presence in the area. Thukral brings over two decades of experience in enterprise technology. He previously held leadership roles at Amazon Web Services (AWS) India & SAARC, where he managed partner programs, co-selling strategies, and marketplace initiatives. His earlier roles include senior positions at Oracle, RateGain, and Ingram Micro, where he worked across sales, ecosystem growth, and business development in both regional and international markets.

New Relic appoints a new MD for the APJ region

New Relic has appointed Rob Newell as Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Asia-Pacific and Japan. He will lead the company’s operations and sales strategy across the region, bringing over 20 years of experience in technical software sales and leadership. Newell has been with New Relic in a senior capacity, most recently serving as Group Vice President of Solutions Consulting and Technical Sales for Asia-Pacific and Japan. Before joining the company, he held the position of Vice President of Solutions Engineering and Cloud Sales for ASEAN at Salesforce. His earlier roles include senior leadership positions at IntraLinks and ConnXion Limited, giving him a strong background in the software and cloud services sectors across Asia-Pacific.

Tarun Kapoor to lead digital affairs at Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals

Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, a contract development and manufacturing company in the pharma sector, has appointed Tarun Kapoor as Senior Vice President – Technology. Kapoor joined the Delhi-based firm from Mankind Pharma, a pharmaceutical company, where he served as the Vice President of Digital Transformation. He has more than two decades of experience across other leading organisations, such as BT Group, VFS Global, and CRISIL. He brings expertise in enterprise IT, cybersecurity, IT-OT integration, and business process re-engineering. His track record in leading large-scale transformation programs and building high-performing tech teams makes him a valuable asset for Akums’ growth journey. Kapoor graduated in computer science with specialisations in software and mobile computing, and also obtained various executive management degrees and certifications from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and the Indian School of Business.

Ingram Micro ropes in Sunil Golani as Director of Cloud Sales for India

Ingram Micro, a global IT services provider, has appointed Sunil Golani as Director of Cloud Sales for its operations in India. In this new position, Golani will be responsible for advancing the company’s cloud services strategy, expanding relationships with key cloud providers, and supporting the adoption of Ingram Micro’s digital platform, Xvantage, among partners across the country. Golani has over 25 years of experience in the IT industry, with a focus on cloud technologies, partner enablement, and business growth. He also served in various leadership roles at Ingram Micro, Tech Data (now TD SYNNEX), Avnet Technology Solutions, and Ontrack Solutions.

Ex-Café Coffee Day IT head joins N Ranga Rao and Sons as CTO

Venkatesh Babu S has taken on the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at N. Ranga Rao & Sons, one of India’s leading incense sticks manufacturers. He has over two decades of experience in IT strategy, ERP implementation, and advancements in retail technology. Babu held the position of president and head – IT at Coffee Day Global Ltd (Cafe Coffee Day), where he played a crucial role in the digital transformation of more than 2,500 retail locations. In his new role, Babu is set to enhance N. Ranga Rao & Sons’ digital infrastructure and prepare the company for future business operations. Based in Mysore, Karnataka, his responsibilities will include shaping the technology roadmap for the company.