Rajesh Nambiar leaves Cognizant to lead Nasscom, Varrier appointed successor

Rajesh Nambiar has stepped down as chairman and managing director at Cognizant Technology Solutions, the US-based IT services firm said on Wednesday.

Nambiar is president-designate of information technology industry lobby National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom), and is set to succeed Debjani Ghosh, whose term ends in November.

Nasscom, in a social media post on X, said, “nasscom welcomes @RNamb as President Designate! His leadership will be pivotal in steering the growth of the tech industry in India and further strengthen India’s position as a global technology leader. @debjani_ghosh_@sangeetagupta29”

nasscom welcomes @RNamb as President Designate! His leadership will be pivotal in steering the growth of the tech industry in India and further strengthen India’s position as a global technology leader.@debjani_ghosh_ @sangeetagupta29 pic.twitter.com/rnBAviU4ma

— nasscom (@nasscom) August 21, 2024

Cognizant, meanwhile, said it has appointed Rajesh Varrier as global head of operations, effective 2 September, and will take over as chairman and managing director for India from 1 October.

Varrier will be an executive vice-president (EVP), reporting to Cognizant chief executive officer Ravi Kumar S., and be based out of Bengaluru, the company said.

“Rajesh Varrier is a respected, experienced executive whose operational rigor and entrepreneurial spirit aligns well with Cognizant. As we drive further operational excellence, efficiency and a sharp focus on execution into our business model, this role is a natural orchestration point for our India-based operations,” Ravi Kumar said. “Additionally, the job of India chair is deeply important to our culture and my years of working with Varrier gives me great confidence that together, with our growing leadership team in India, we can continue to build upon our already strong foundation to be the employer of choice in India.”

Varrier’s responsibilities will include operations, delivery excellence, workforce planning, expansion in India. Importantly, he will provide regional leadership for Cognizant’s India-based employees with a strong emphasis on driving company transformation programs, and representing the company as it executes its growth plan across India, Cognizant said.

“Cognizant’s reputation is rooted in its talented associate base and the quality outcomes it delivers for its global clients,” said Varrier. “I’m thrilled to help accelerate the company’s growth journey, as leader of these critical business areas, and look forward to working with the amazing team the company has in place in India and globally.”

Prior to joining Cognizant, Varrier served as EVP, head of global services and Infosys Americas, as well as global head of Infosys’ digital and Microsoft businesses. He also previously served as SVP of digital experience for the Microsoft business at Infosys. Before joining Infosys, Varrier was chief information officer and digital officer for Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance and founder of analytics firm Activecubes. He holds both an undergraduate degree in physics and a post-graduate degree in computer engineering from the University of Mumbai.

Current India chair Nambiar will leave Cognizant at the end of September to become Nasscom president.

“I am excited to see Rajesh Nambiar’s appointment as the incoming president of Nasscom, an organization Cognizant has partnered with for decades. Under his leadership, we will continue to collaborate to further strengthen the Indian IT industry. I am equally excited for Nasscom as they usher in their new leader. I wish Rajesh Nambiar success and look forward to working with him in his new role,” Kumar said.

“Cognizant will always have a special place in my heart and I am immensely proud of the remarkable achievements and resilience of our associates and leadership team,” Nambiar said. “I am honored and truly humbled to be appointed as the president of Nasscom , an organization that has been instrumental in shaping the Indian IT industry. I look forward to collaborating with the entire IT ecosystem, including Cognizant, and am excited to contribute to the industry’s transformation and future growth.”