Coforge, a prominent IT services company, has announced the appointment of Akhil Gupta as the new chairperson of its board of directors. The appointment, effective September 29, is for a five-year term and is subject to shareholder approval.
A Seasoned Leader for Coforge's Board
Akhil Gupta, previously the vice chairman of Bharti Enterprises, brings over four decades of diverse professional experience to Coforge. His expertise spans critical sectors including telecom, infrastructure, financial services, and corporate governance. Gupta's significant contributions to the growth of the Bharti Group from its early stages underscore his track record in developing major business conglomerates.
A chartered accountant by profession, Gupta further honed his leadership skills through the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 2002. His distinguished career has earned him several accolades, including the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the CA Lifetime Achievement Award, and the ET Telecom Lifetime Achievement Award.
Addressing Board Stability
The appointment of Gupta follows a period of leadership transitions within Coforge's boardroom, including the recent resignations of former chairperson O.P. Bhatt and independent director D.K. Singh. Coforge undertook a global search, partnering with executive search firm Egon Zehnder, to identify a suitable candidate to strengthen its board oversight and restore stability.
Gupta will join Coforge's board as a non-executive independent director. His extensive board experience, which includes current roles as chairman of 360 ONE WAM Ltd and Bharti Life Insurance Ltd, along with board memberships at companies like Zepto, Snapdeal, Eutelsat Communications, and Lodha Developers, is expected to be instrumental in guiding Coforge through its next phase.
Contributions to Industry Policy
Beyond his corporate leadership, Gupta has been actively involved in shaping industry policy and governance. He currently serves as the president of the Telecom Sector Skill Council and previously chaired the Digital Infrastructure Providers Association. His work extends to national committees and task forces focused on telecom, broadband, and insolvency law, reflecting his commitment to broader industry development and regulatory frameworks. Gupta is also the author of the management book, Some Sizes Fit All.
This strategic appointment by Coforge, formerly known as NIIT Technologies, signals a clear intent to reinforce its leadership structure and ensure robust governance as it continues to serve clients across global markets.