Coforge, a prominent IT services company, has announced the appointment of Akhil Kumar Gupta as the new chairperson of its board of directors. The decision, made public via a stock exchange filing on September 27, sees Gupta taking on the role for a five-year term, effective September 29.
Gupta, who previously served as the vice chairman of Bharti Enterprises, joins Coforge as a non-executive independent director. His appointment follows a global search conducted with executive search firm Egon Zehnder.
Stabilizing Leadership at Coforge
The strategic move by Coforge comes during a period of leadership transition and aims to restore stability to its board. The company has seen recent changes, including the resignation of former chairperson O.P. Bhatt and independent director D.K. Singh. Coforge, formerly known as NIIT Technologies, stated that Gupta’s appointment is subject to shareholder approval.
Akhil Gupta's Extensive Background
Akhil Kumar Gupta brings over four decades of diverse professional experience to Coforge, spanning critical sectors such as telecommunications, infrastructure, financial services, and corporate governance. He was instrumental in the early growth and expansion of the Bharti Group, helping it evolve into one of India’s leading conglomerates.
Current and Past Board Engagements
- Currently serves as chairman of the board for 360 ONE WAM Ltd and Bharti Life Insurance Ltd.
- Holds board positions at several other notable companies, including quick-commerce platform Zepto, e-commerce firm Snapdeal, satellite operator Eutelsat Communications, and real estate developer Lodha Developers.
His broad expertise in various industries is expected to significantly bolster Coforge’s board oversight and contribute to its efforts in strengthening governance.
Academic Achievements and Industry Recognition
A qualified chartered accountant, Gupta further enhanced his executive education by completing the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 2002. His contributions to the industry have been recognized with numerous accolades, including:
- The EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award
- The CA Lifetime Achievement Award and the CA Global Achiever Award from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
- The ET Telecom Lifetime Achievement Award
- The Tele.net Outstanding Contribution to Infrastructure and Telecom Development Award
Beyond his corporate roles, Gupta is also the president of the Telecom Sector Skill Council and has previously chaired the Digital Infrastructure Providers Association. He is an author, having penned the management book Some Sizes Fit All, published by Penguin Random House.