Cognizant appoints Ravi Kumar as CEO, replaces Brian Humphries

Kumar succeeds Brian Humphries in both roles. In a stock exchange filing, the Teaneck-based IT major said that in order to facilitate a smooth transition, Humphries will remain with the Company as a special advisor until March 15, 2023.

Cognizant announced last year that Kumar will join Cognizant after a 20-year career at Infosys, where he held various leadership roles, most recently serving as President from January 2016 through October 2022.

“I am honoured to join Cognizant, a company I have long admired for its dedicated client focus and its track record of innovation,” Kumar said in a statement.

“I have watched Cognizant fundamentally transform its business, expanding its digital portfolio and capabilities, strengthening client relationships and partnerships, and meaningfully enhancing operational discipline. Cognizant is well-positioned for growth, and I’m excited to unlock the Company’s significant potential for our employees, clients, investors, and other stakeholders.”

Cognizant added that in his role at Infosys, Kumar led the Infosys Global Services Organization across all global industry segments, driving digital transformation services, consulting services, technology services, engineering services, data & analytics, cloud and infrastructure, and enterprise package applications service lines.

Discover the stories of your interest

Cognizant also said that Stephen J. Rohleder, a member of Cognizant’s Board since March 2022, has been elected Chair of the Board. Former Chair Michael Patsalos-Fox will remain on the Board as an independent director. Rohleder joined the Board in March 2022 as part of the board’s ongoing Board refreshment process; during the last three years, the Board has added three new independent directors.

Rohleder brings decades of experience overseeing operations, developing strategy, counseling clients, and growing teams in the technology space, gained from his 35-year tenure in senior roles with Accenture, where he served as Group Chief Executive, North America, Group Chief Executive, Health and Public Service and Chief Operating Officer, as well as his roles as Chairman and CEO of GTY Technology Holdings.

“Brian (Humphries) was a resilient leader, providing a steady hand as he steered the company through various challenges, including a global pandemic… We believe now is the right time for new leadership to fully capitalize on these opportunities,” Rohleder said in a statement.

Humphries on his part said that Cognizant said he was proud of the team’s achievements during his tenure as CEO.

“Our brand is more visible, our portfolio is stronger, our client relationships are more consultative and we are better aligned to high growth digital segments within our market. The company is in a great position for success. It was an honor to lead our talented associates and I wish Ravi and the leadership team all the best for the future,” he said.

Cognizant had previously announced that Kumar would join the Company as President, Cognizant Americas. In connection with the CEO transition, Cognizant also announced that Surya Gummadi has been named President, Cognizant Americas.

Gummadi, a 24-year veteran of Cognizant, had held the role on an interim basis since July 2022 and previously served as SVP of Cognizant’s Health Sciences business segment.