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    Category: Leadership

    • Barclays Appoints Anita Tanna as Its First Chief AI Officer, Accelerating AI Adoption Across Global Operations

      Barclays Appoints Anita Tanna as Its First Chief AI Officer, Accelerating AI Adoption Across Global Operations

      The newly created leadership role reflects the growing importance of artificial intelligence in global banking and enterprise-wide business transformation.

      PUNE: Global financial services major Barclays has appointed Anita Tanna as its first Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer (Chief AI Officer), marking a significant step in the bank’s efforts to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption across its global operations.

      Tanna, who previously served as Group Chief of Staff to Barclays CEO C.S. Venkatakrishnan, has taken up the newly created role with a mandate to expand AI adoption across the organisation and identify opportunities to generate greater value for customers, employees and businesses.

      Announcing her appointment on LinkedIn, Tanna highlighted the potential of AI to transform customer and client services, describing the technology as a critical enabler of the bank’s strategy. She will also focus on ensuring that AI is adopted thoughtfully and responsibly across the group.

      Tanna joined Barclays in 2021 and has held several senior leadership positions within its Corporate and Investment Bank. Before becoming Group Chief of Staff in January 2024, she served in leadership roles across equity sales and trading services. Earlier in her career, she worked with Citi and Goldman Sachs.

      Strengthening AI’s Role in Global Banking

      The appointment comes as financial institutions increasingly move beyond experimental AI projects towards integrating artificial intelligence into everyday business operations and decision-making.

      For global banks, AI is becoming an important driver of operational efficiency, customer experience, automation, risk management and technology modernisation.

      Barclays’ decision to establish a dedicated Chief AI Officer position reflects the growing importance of coordinated AI leadership in identifying opportunities, scaling adoption and aligning technology initiatives with business priorities.

      Implications for Pune’s Technology and GCC Landscape

      Barclays has an established technology and operations presence in Pune, where its teams contribute to the organisation’s global business and technology capabilities.

      As the bank strengthens its focus on enterprise-wide AI adoption, capabilities such as AI engineering, data analytics, automation and technology transformation will remain important to the evolution of its global operations.

      The development also reflects a wider shift in the GCC landscape, with global capability centres increasingly contributing to strategic technology initiatives, enterprise innovation and business transformation.

      As organisations place AI at the centre of their long-term strategies, Pune’s technology ecosystem is well positioned to play an important role in supporting the next phase of global enterprise transformation.

    • Birlasoft Appoints Madhavan H. as CEO and Managing Director, Effective December 8

      Birlasoft Appoints Madhavan H. as CEO and Managing Director, Effective December 8

      The leadership transition comes as the IT services company looks to revive growth, strengthen operational performance and sharpen its competitive positioning.

      Pune: Birlasoft, the global IT services and consulting company, has appointed Madhavan H. as its next Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, effective December 8, 2026.

      Madhavan, who previously served as Chief Financial Officer of the CKA Birla Group, will succeed Angan Guha, who has been leading Birlasoft since December 2022.

      The appointment marks an important leadership transition for the company as it navigates a challenging business environment. Birlasoft has witnessed two consecutive years of declining revenue, even as several mid-sized IT services competitors have reported growth.

      Madhavan brings experience in financial management, business transformation and operations. During his association with the CKA Birla Group, he worked closely with the company’s leadership on strategy and business performance.

      Birlasoft expects his experience to help strengthen its business fundamentals, improve operational effectiveness and support its next phase of growth amid rapid changes in the global technology landscape.

      Why This Leadership Change Matters

      The appointment comes at a crucial time for Birlasoft and reflects the importance of leadership in navigating an increasingly competitive IT services industry.

      As technology companies respond to evolving client expectations, AI-led transformation and changing global technology spending patterns, the focus on operational efficiency, business strategy and sustainable growth is becoming increasingly important.

      The industry will be watching how Madhavan H. shapes Birlasoft’s growth strategy, strengthens its market position and drives its next phase of transformation.

      Pune GCC Perspective

      Leadership transitions at established IT services companies such as Birlasoft highlight the evolving priorities of India’s technology sector. As Pune continues to strengthen its position as a major technology and Global Capability Centre destination, strategic leadership, operational excellence and business transformation will remain critical drivers of the ecosystem’s growth.

    • Anand Kaduskar Joins Mizuho as Director, Enterprise Architecture

      Anand Kaduskar Joins Mizuho as Director, Enterprise Architecture

      Anand Kaduskar has joined Mizuho as Director, Enterprise Architecture, taking on global responsibility for enterprise architecture and governance. His appointment highlights the growing focus on technology modernisation, enterprise-wide architecture and governance across the global financial services sector.

      Before joining Mizuho, Kaduskar served as Vice President at DWS Group from November 2022 to October 2026, based in Pune, Maharashtra. During his tenure, he led enterprise architecture initiatives spanning application and technology harmonisation, platform modernisation, cloud migration, enterprise data strategy and AI governance.

      At DWS Group, he established and led a global enterprise architecture team of 10 architects, developed target-state architecture and technology roadmaps, and drove initiatives to consolidate overlapping applications and platforms. His responsibilities also included advancing the Snowflake data platform, strengthening enterprise data models and establishing AI governance standards and controls aligned with regulatory and risk requirements.

      His work involved collaboration across business, engineering, risk, security, infrastructure and technology partners to modernise legacy systems, improve operational efficiency and reduce technology costs.

      Kaduskar’s move to Mizuho marks a new chapter in his leadership journey, bringing extensive experience in enterprise architecture, data transformation and technology governance to his global role.

      Pune GCC congratulates Anand Kaduskar on his new appointment and wishes him success in this leadership journey.

      Pune GCC tracks leadership appointments, technology developments and key developments shaping Pune’s Global Capability Centre ecosystem.

    • Pramod Mankar Joins Q4 as GCC Engineering Leader

      Pramod Mankar Joins Q4 as GCC Engineering Leader

      Pune GCC | Leadership & Appointments

      Pramod Mankar has joined Q4 as GCC Engineering Leader, where he will lead India Product Engineering and software delivery for the company’s investor relations technology platform.

      In his new role, Mankar will focus on establishing Q4’s India Engineering Organisation, building scalable and reliable products, strengthening engineering execution, and driving platform modernisation. He will also work with cross-functional teams to deliver customer-centric solutions and business value for customers across global capital markets. His responsibilities include supporting products such as Studio, CES and Q4’s digital investor engagement solutions.

      Q4 Inc. is a financial technology company headquartered in Toronto, Canada, specialising in investor relations technology. Its platform helps publicly traded companies manage investor communications, digital investor websites, earnings events, investor engagement and shareholder intelligence. Q4’s solutions enable investor relations teams to strengthen relationships with the investment community and make informed, data-driven decisions.

      Mankar’s appointment reflects the growing importance of India-based engineering teams in developing and scaling technology platforms for global markets. Through the establishment of its India Engineering Organisation, Q4 will strengthen its product engineering and software delivery capabilities to support its global customer base.

      Pune GCC congratulates Pramod Mankar on his new role and wishes him success in this new professional chapter.

    • Vena Solutions Appoints Rama Jayanti as VP, Product & Technology and India Country Head

      Vena Solutions Appoints Rama Jayanti as VP, Product & Technology and India Country Head

      The technology and finance software company plans to strengthen its India operations, with Pune and Indore positioned as strategic hubs for global growth.

      PUNE, Maharashtra: Vena Solutions has appointed Rama Jayanti as Vice President, Product & Technology and India Country Head, bringing an experienced technology leader into a role overseeing the company’s product, technology and operations in India.

      Rama brings more than 29 years of experience in establishing technology centres in India and scaling them into high-impact product organisations. She holds a Master of Science degree from IIT Bombay and a PhD from the University of Pittsburgh.

      In her new role, she will lead Vena’s Product, Technology and Operations functions in India. A key priority will be to develop the company’s offices in Pune and Indore into strategic hubs that contribute to its global growth and technology capabilities.

      The appointment comes as multinational organisations increasingly leverage their Indian operations for product development, engineering, innovation and global business support. Experienced leadership is playing an important role in transforming these centres into strategic contributors to global operations.

      Vena’s focus on its Pune and Indore offices adds to the growing technology and global capability ecosystem across Indian cities, creating opportunities to strengthen local talent, product innovation and international collaboration.

      About Vena Solutions

      Vena Solutions is a software company specialising in financial planning and analysis (FP&A), helping organisations streamline budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting and business planning through technology.

      Rama’s appointment reflects the company’s focus on strengthening its India leadership and expanding the strategic contribution of its local operations.

    • Orbia Appoints Bijal Shah as Head of Its Global Capability Centre in Pune

      Orbia Appoints Bijal Shah as Head of Its Global Capability Centre in Pune

      Pune, Maharashtra: Orbia has appointed Bijal Shah as the new Head of its Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Pune. With more than 23 years of global leadership experience spanning technology, operations, financial services and capability centres, Shah will lead the centre into its next phase of growth.

      Before joining Orbia, Shah served as India Country Head and Board Director at Genworth Financial, where she played a role in strengthening organisational capabilities and enabling enterprise-wide transformation.

      At Orbia, Shah will focus on building high-performing teams, advancing innovation, driving operational excellence and strengthening partnerships across the organisation’s global operations. Her appointment comes as global capability centres continue to expand their strategic role, moving beyond traditional support functions to contribute to business transformation and innovation.

      Pune has emerged as an important destination for GCCs, supported by its established technology ecosystem, skilled talent pool and growing presence of multinational organisations. Leadership appointments such as Shah’s further highlight the city’s evolving role in global business operations.

      Orbia’s Pune GCC is positioned to contribute to the organisation’s global priorities by strengthening capabilities, enabling collaboration and delivering meaningful business impact.

    • Santosh Gupta Joins Mizuho as Director of Data Engineering in Pune

      Santosh Gupta Joins Mizuho as Director of Data Engineering in Pune

      Pune, Maharashtra: Mizuho has strengthened its technology leadership presence in Pune with the appointment of Santosh Gupta as Director of Data Engineering.

      Gupta recently joined Mizuho and brings leadership experience in data engineering, technology and digital capabilities to his new role. His appointment comes as Mizuho continues to build and strengthen its technology ecosystem in Pune.

      In his initial weeks with the organisation, Gupta has highlighted Mizuho’s people-centric culture, collaborative working environment and emphasis on empathy and respect. He noted the organisation’s flat structure, where professionals across levels and functions are encouraged to exchange perspectives and contribute towards common goals.

      Gupta’s early experience also highlights the importance Mizuho places on creating an environment where ideas can flow freely, collaboration takes precedence over hierarchy, and leadership is demonstrated through listening and supporting others.

      His appointment adds further depth to Mizuho’s technology leadership in Pune and reflects the city’s growing role as a hub for global technology, data and financial services capabilities.

      As Pune continues to attract global financial institutions and expand its GCC ecosystem, leadership appointments such as Gupta’s underscore the city’s growing importance in driving technology and data-led transformation.

    • Harish Bharti Elevated to CTO, IBM Consulting – Asia Pacific

      Harish Bharti Elevated to CTO, IBM Consulting – Asia Pacific

      Pune | September 17, 2026 — IBM has elevated Harish Bharti to the position of Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Asia Pacific, IBM Consulting, giving him a broader technology leadership mandate across one of the world’s key enterprise technology markets.
      Bharti has been associated with IBM for more than two decades and has held several senior technology and architecture roles. He has served as an IBM Distinguished Engineer and Master Inventor, with expertise spanning enterprise architecture, cloud transformation, application modernisation, cloud-native technologies and data architecture.

      Strong Pune Connection

      Bharti’s professional journey also has a significant connection with Pune. In 2015, he was elevated to Chief Architect, Global Solutioning Centre of Excellence, a role in which he was based in Pune for more than five years and worked on complex technology solutions addressing client business requirements.

      His professional profile continues to list Pune as his location, reflecting his longstanding association with the city’s technology ecosystem.

      Focus on AI and Enterprise Transformation

      In his new regional role, Bharti will work with enterprises and banks across Asia Pacific as they scale artificial intelligence and modernise their technology environments.

      Bharti has highlighted his focus on solving complex technology challenges and helping teams build agentic AI systems capable of moving beyond demonstrations into reliable production environments.

      His career at IBM has included leadership roles such as Chief Architect, Global Solutioning Center of Excellence and Lead Architect for the Application Innovation Services Cloud Program, alongside his work in core systems modernisation.

      Bharti is also recognised for his contribution to technology innovation through a substantial patent portfolio covering areas including cloud, blockchain, cognitive computing, microservices, digital integration, edge computing and AI-related technologies.

      Pune’s Global Technology Leadership

      Bharti’s elevation adds another example of technology leadership emerging from professionals with deep connections to Pune’s Global Capability Centre and technology ecosystem.

      As Pune continues to host global technology and innovation operations, leadership journeys such as Bharti’s demonstrate the city’s connection to enterprise technology, cloud, AI and global transformation initiatives.

      Pune GCC congratulates Harish Bharti on his new role and wishes him success in his leadership journey across Asia Pacific.

    • BOBST Appoints Ashish Saxena as Managing Director of BOBST India

      BOBST Appoints Ashish Saxena as Managing Director of BOBST India

      BOBST has announced the appointment of Ashish Saxena as the new Managing Director of BOBST India, marking an important leadership development as the company continues to strengthen its presence in the Indian market.

      Saxena will be responsible for leading BOBST’s India business and working closely with customers, partners and the BOBST India team to build on the company’s strong foundation and drive its next phase of growth.

      The appointment comes at a significant time for India’s packaging industry, which is experiencing rapid transformation driven by changing consumer behaviour, premiumisation, sustainability and the continued growth of organised manufacturing.

      With its global expertise in packaging technology, innovation and manufacturing solutions, BOBST is well positioned to support the evolving needs of India’s packaging ecosystem.

      India is also emerging as an increasingly important global manufacturing and services hub, attracting greater investment, technology capabilities and leadership responsibilities from multinational organisations.

      Pune GCC congratulates Ashish Saxena on his new leadership role and wishes him great success in this exciting new chapter with BOBST India.

    • Pratik Pandit Appointed Managing Director of Entrata India

      Pratik Pandit Appointed Managing Director of Entrata India

      Pune, India | August 2026 — Entrata has announced the appointment of Pratik Pandit as the new Managing Director of Entrata India, strengthening its leadership team as the company continues to expand its technology capabilities and advance its global artificial intelligence initiatives.

      Pratik brings more than two decades of experience in technology and engineering leadership, with a strong track record of building and leading high-performing teams. Having spent nearly five years with Entrata, he brings a deep understanding of the organization, its technology ecosystem and its global operations to his new role.

      As Managing Director, Pratik will lead Entrata India’s technology and engineering organization, with a focus on strengthening its capabilities, fostering innovation and supporting the company’s broader global technology strategy.

      His appointment comes at a time when Entrata is continuing to invest in AI, technology and engineering capabilities across its global teams. India plays an increasingly important role in supporting these initiatives, with its strong pool of technology talent and growing contribution to product development and innovation.

      Pratik’s leadership is expected to further strengthen Entrata India’s position as an important technology hub for the company, while enabling teams in India to contribute to global product and engineering priorities.

      Strengthening Entrata India’s Technology Leadership

      With extensive experience in technology and engineering, Pratik has been closely involved with Entrata’s journey over the past several years. His familiarity with the organization provides continuity while also positioning him to lead the next phase of growth for Entrata India.

      In his new capacity, he will work with teams across India and Entrata’s global organization to build on existing technology capabilities, strengthen engineering talent and support the company’s ongoing AI initiatives.

      The leadership transition also reflects the evolving role of India’s technology centers within global organizations, where teams are increasingly contributing to innovation, product development, engineering and strategic technology initiatives rather than functioning solely as delivery centers.

      India’s Growing Role in Entrata’s Global Technology Strategy

      Entrata’s continued focus on its India operations highlights the country’s importance within the company’s global technology ecosystem. As organizations accelerate investments in AI and advanced technology, India’s engineering and technology talent is increasingly becoming a key driver of global innovation.

      Under Pratik’s leadership, Entrata India will continue to focus on building strong technology capabilities and enabling its teams to contribute to the company’s global growth and innovation agenda.

      Pune GCC Perspective

      Pratik Pandit’s appointment is another example of the growing importance of Indian technology leadership within global organizations. It also highlights the broader evolution of India’s GCC ecosystem, where technology leaders and engineering teams are increasingly taking ownership of global platforms, products, innovation and AI-led transformation.

      Pune GCC congratulates Pratik Pandit on his appointment as Managing Director of Entrata India and wishes him continued success in his new role.