All you need to know about the incoming TCS CEO K Krithivasan

The outgoing CEO Gopinathan said the decision to quit had taken centre stage for him a couple of months back even as he initiated definitive discussions with the board and chairman about a week ago.

Krithivasan will take over the role in the next financial year, with the effective date of his succession to be intimated in due course subject to shareholder approval.

Who is Krithivasan, the CEO designate at TCS?

Having worked for more than three decades at TCS after joining in 1989, Krithivasan served as the president and global head of the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) vertical of TCS. In terms of revenue contribution, deals, and business, BFSI is one of the largest and most significant verticals for the IT behemoth.

It contributes the largest revenue share (31.5%) of the $25-billion company.

Discover the stories of your interest

While Gopinathan was one of the youngest CEOs of the company when he joined at 46 years, 57-year-old Krithivasan will be one of the oldest CEOs to assume the role in the ITES space.What’s been his role at TCS?

Being the president of the BFSI vertical, Krithivasan led the planning and execution of growth strategies, improvement in financial performance, enhancement of customer mindshare, and strategic market positioning.

During his tenure at TCS, he has held different leadership roles in delivery, customer relationship management, large program management, and sales.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Madras and a master’s degree in industrial and management engineering from IIT Kanpur.

No dramatic transition

TCS expects the “transition to be smooth” as it implements a change in guard with the exit of Gopinathan.

“It is a continuum. It is not that we come up with a new strategy or no new set of priorities at TCS as every CEO changes,” said Krithivasan, who is moving to Mumbai from TCS’ Chennai office. “We have a core set of beliefs focussing on employees and customers. It is the most important engine that drives our growth,” he said.

He added, “We focus on a core principle like strategy, which we will tweak as we go along. Our core principle is to work closely with customers to ensure we look out for their needs as proactively as possible. And work with our associates who have been the bedrock of our success so they perform very well. Do not expect a great strategic or organisational change.”