Infosys looks for expert in place of Ravi Venkatesan

BENGALURU: Infosys has begun looking for a technology services industry expert to replace Ravi Venkatesan as independent director on the company’s board, a person with direct knowledge of the plan told ET.

The software services exporter will involve an external agency to identify the right person, the source said, adding that the company would also “consider recommendations from existing board members as well from outside”.

Venkatesan’s exit will also expedite the Bengaluru-headquartered IT services company’s search for new independent directors with specialisation in fields such as technology, business and finance, to replace members who will step down in the next two to three years. “There was business succession planning in place and Infosys had planned for succession as and when terms of independent directors finish. Ravi (Venkatesan) stepped down earlier than his term,” said the person cited above. “Now the company obviously has to expedite the process for replacing him. We do need somebody who is an expert on technology, the focus will be on bringing in new faces with clear understanding on the future of Infosys,” the person said. Infosys did not reply to email queries from ET.

Currently, the board has eight members, including executives CEO Salil Parekh and COO Pravin Rao. Of them, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and Roopa Kudva have completed six and five years respectively; while Punita Kumar Sinha has spent three years at the Infosys board. “The company is specifically looking for people who are tech-savvy and have business expertise for its board succession planning,” said the source cited above.

Kris Lakshmikanth, founder and managing director, The Head Hunters, a recruitment agency is of the view that Infosys will look for a candidate who could assist CEO Parekh to focus on getting business. “The company may look for a global technology services veteran and the person could be one who has experience with some of the peer companies such as Cognizant, Accenture,” he said. The company will now look for candidates who will “supplement Salil Parekh and help in business development,” said Lakshmikanth.

Infosys Technologies Limited