Rewind 2025: Top tech CXO movements of the year

In 2025, India Inc. didn’t just reshuffle its top deck—it redefined what leadership means in a digital-first economy. Across IT services, BFSI, telecom, manufacturing, consumer tech and enterprise software, CXO appointments reflected a decisive pivot toward executives who could operationalise digital transformation at scale.
Unlike earlier years focused on experimentation, 2025 marked a shift from pilots to production. CEOs, CTOs, CIOs and CISOs were appointed with explicit mandates around AI adoption, cloud modernisation, platform thinking and cybersecurity resilience. Several firms created new leadership roles for AI, data and digital engineering, signalling that technology has moved from a support function to a core growth engine.
A defining theme of the year was the rise of AI-first leadership models. Companies elevated leaders who could translate GenAI and analytics into measurable business outcomes, while cybersecurity emerged as a board-level priority amid expanding digital footprints. Here’s a recap of this year’s top CXO movement in tech.

1. Sukamal Banerjee appointed CEO of Cyient

In February, Cyient appointed seasoned tech executive Sukamal Banerjee as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of its Digital, Engineering & Technology (DET) business in February. Banerjee brings over three decades of experience in engineering services and technology leadership, most recently as CEO of digital engineering firm Xoriant and a long tenure at HCL Technologies. His mandate is to strengthen Cyient’s intelligent engineering solutions portfolio, accelerate digital transformation across sectors like semiconductors, communications, and automotive, and lead the company through the next phase of tech-led growth in digital, data and AI-driven services. (Read more)

2. Former LTIMindtree exec Rohit Kedia joined Xoriant as CEO

Meanwhile, in February, ChrysCapital-backed digital engineering specialist Xoriant named Rohit Kedia as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Sukamal Banerjee. A veteran of over 28 years in technology and digital engineering, Kedia previously led global practices as Chief Growth Officer at LTIMindtree and has held leadership roles at L&T Infotech and Infosys. In this role, he is expected to deepen Xoriant’s digital engineering and AI capabilities, strengthen platform-led solutions, and accelerate growth in software, data engineering and client transformation initiatives. (Read more)

3. Bhavnish Lathia becomes CTO, Kotak Mahindra Bank

In March, Kotak Mahindra Bank appointed Bhavnish Lathia as Chief Technology Officer, highlighting its strategic emphasis on technology-led transformation. With extensive experience in technology, product and platform management, Lathia’s elevation positions him to guide the bank’s digital modernization agenda, amplify customer experience platforms, and scale cloud, data and AI-enabled services. His role underscores digital transformation’s centrality in banking operations, platform architecture and agile execution as Indian financial services firms compete on digital delivery and innovation. (Read more)  

4. Tapan Sahoo named Head of Digital Enterprise & Cybersecurity, Maruti Suzuki

Maruti Suzuki India appointed automotive veteran Tapan Sahoo to lead Digital Enterprise and Information & Cyber Security in March. In this strategic role, Sahoo will champion digital transformation across manufacturing, operations and security frameworks, focusing on AI/ML-enabled solutions, enhanced customer experiences, and robust cybersecurity. His responsibilities include advancing digital enterprise strategies, integrating data-driven decision-making, and strengthening cyber resilience across the auto major’s value chain. (Read more)

5. Joseph Anantharaju helms Happiest Minds Technologies as CEO & Co-Chairman

Happiest Minds Technologies elevated Joseph Anantharaju to Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, consolidating leadership over product and digital engineering services, infrastructure, security services and its GenAI business unit. A veteran leader within the organisation, Anantharaju will drive unified execution of core digital transformation services and platform-led offerings, aligning strategy across business units. His appointment comes amid organisational restructuring to scale growth, enhance digital services, and deepen client engagements across enterprise digital footprints. (Read more)

6. Nachiket Deshpande names President, AI Services Group, LTIMindtree

In March, LTIMindtree named Nachiket Deshpande President of its newly formed AI Services Business Group, reflecting the firm’s strategic prioritisation of AI-first transformation. Deshpande will lead AI advisory, engineering and solutions offerings, expand strategic partnerships, and align this group with wider global technology initiatives. This role emphasises the company’s commitment to delivering AI-centric services and accelerating enterprise adoption of AI platforms as part of broader digital transformation mandates. (Read more)

7. Kenny Kesar elevated to Global CIO at Wipro

In April, IT major Wipro elevated Kenny Kesar to Global Chief Information Officer, announcing his leadership over enterprise IT, digital systems, and emerging technology adoption. Kesar’s remit includes leveraging AI, cloud, analytics, and modern platforms to optimise IT operations and drive internal transformation aligned with business strategy. As enterprises increasingly embed AI and automation across functions, his role underscores Wipro’s priority to transform internally while showcasing its technology leadership to clients. (Read more)

8. Amandeep Sarna appointed as CDIO of ITC Hotels

ITC Hotels appointed Amandeep Sarna as Chief Digital & Information Officer, signalling the hospitality group’s focus on customer-centric digital transformations. Sarna’s leadership covers digital platforms, cloud adoption and integrated enterprise systems aimed at enhancing guest experiences and operational insights. As hospitality companies embrace digital tools and data-driven engagement models, Sarna’s role will be key in modernising legacy systems and enabling seamless omnichannel customer journeys and backend efficiencies. (Read more)

9. MobiKwik appointed Saurabh Dwivedi as CTO

MobiKwik appointed Saurabh Dwivedi as Chief Technology Officer to lead product architecture, platform stability and digital innovation for its fintech offerings. His role prioritises enhancing digital payments infrastructure, scaling cloud-native services, strengthening security frameworks and embedding data analytics and AI across MobiKwik’s financial product suite. This CTO role reflects fintech’s broader push toward resilient, scalable technology stacks that support rapid customer growth and evolving regulatory demands.

10. Anand Subbaraman becomes CEO at Icertis

In August, Enterprise contract lifecycle management firm Icertis appointed Anand Subbaraman as CEO, succeeding co-founder Samir Bodas. Subbaraman, who had served as COO, brings deep enterprise software experience and will steer the company’s AI and cloud platform evolution, accelerate global expansion, and deepen focus on driving digital transformation for large enterprises, harnessing intelligent contract automation. (Read more)

11. Nimish Chaudhary appointed as CTO, Wow! Momo Foods

In August, Wow! Momo Foods appointed Nimish Chaudhary as Chief Technology Officer to strengthen the company’s digital capabilities as it scales its quick-service restaurant business. Chaudhary will lead technology modernisation efforts, including digital ordering, POS systems, data analytics and customer engagement platforms—an example of technology leadership shaping growth in consumer retail and foodtech adjacent domains. (Read more)

12. Cognizant appointed Vishal Salvi as global cybersecurity head

Cognizant appointed Vishal Salvi as Senior Vice President and Global Head of Cybersecurity, underscoring rising enterprise demand for integrated security frameworks. Salvi will guide global cybersecurity strategy, strengthen threat intelligence, and position security as a foundational layer across cloud, AI and digital transformation programmes for clients worldwide. (Read more)

13. Sridhar Govardhan becomes Group CISO, Angel One

In September, Angel One appointed veteran security leader Sridhar Govardhan as Group Chief Information Security Officer, reinforcing the fintech platform’s focus on protecting digital assets, regulatory compliance and customer trust amid rapid digital adoption and data usage growth. (Read more)

14. Sanjay Chalke named CEO for Capgemini India

Capgemini appointed Sanjay Chalke as Chief Executive Officer for India, succeeding the retiring Ashwin Yardi. Chalke’s leadership will focus on scaling digital transformation services, cloud, AI and engineering delivery for Indian and global clients. This transition aligns with broader industry trends in talent mobility, where service leaders are expected to lead digital portfolio expansion and talent capability building. (Read more)

15. Dahnesh Dilkhush joined as CTO for India & South Asia, Microsoft

In October, Microsoft appointed Dahnesh Dilkhush as Chief Technology Officer for India & South Asia, strengthening its regional innovation and digital transformation efforts. Dilkhush’s responsibilities include accelerating AI, Azure and cloud adoption across enterprise and public sector clients, aligning product strategy with customer-centric outcomes and fostering partner ecosystems that unlock digital growth opportunities for organisations across industries. (Read more)

16. Sanket Atal named SVP, Engineering & Country Head India at OpenText

In November, OpenText named Sanket Atal as Senior Vice President of Engineering and Country Head for India, reinforcing its commitment to engineering excellence and AI-enabled enterprise content management. Atal will lead India operations and global engineering engagement, scaling innovation hubs and strengthening developer talent to support cloud-native transformation and AI-embedded solutions. (Read more)  

17. Nachiket Deshpande joins as CEO at Impetus Technologies

Enterprise data and AI engineering firm Impetus Technologies appointed former LTIMindtree executive Nachiket Deshpande as Chief Executive Officer. With a rich background in AI strategy and global delivery, Deshpande’s leadership emphasises scaling advanced data engineering, cloud migration and AI-enabled transformation offerings, helping enterprises harness next-gen intelligent workflows and data-driven platforms. (Read more)

18. Aditya Jayaraman becomes Country Head, India at Hexaware Technologies

Hexaware appointed Aditya Jayaraman as Country Head for India, responsible for scaling operations and driving digital transformation services across cloud, automation and AI-led delivery. Jayaraman’s background in cloud verticals positions him to deepen Hexaware’s capability-led growth across global accounts and high-value digital engagements. (Read more)

19. Manoj Deorukhkar joined as CIO, Shapoorji Pallonji Group

In November, Shapoorji Pallonji Group appointed Manoj Deorukhkar as Chief Information Officer to spearhead enterprise digitalisation, modernise IT platforms, integrate data analytics and improve cybersecurity posture across its diversified businesses. His leadership underscores the increasing role CIOs play in driving digital strategy across large conglomerates. (Read more)

20. Shashwat Sharma becomes CEO-designate, Bharti Airtel India

In December, Bharti Airtel named Shashwat Sharma as Chief Executive Officer-designate, with the transition effective January 1, 2026, as part of a crafted leadership succession plan. Currently serving as CEO-designate after his tenure as Chief Operating Officer, Sharma will oversee digital infrastructure, 5G monetisation, cloud and digital services strategy for one of India’s largest telecom and digital platforms. This move ensures continuity and tech-centric leadership as Airtel deepens its transformation focus on connectivity and enterprise digitisation.