Cognizant Appoints Rajesh Varrier as India MD, Rajesh Nambiar Becomes Nasscom President
Cognizant has appointed Rajesh Varrier as its new Chairman and Managing Director for India, effective October 1, as Rajesh Nambiar departs to take over as the President of the IT industry’s apex body, Nasscom. The announcement, made on August 21, signals a leadership transition at both Cognizant and Nasscom.
Varrier, who will also assume the role of Global Head of Operations at Cognizant starting September 2, will be based in Bengaluru. As an Executive Vice President, he will report directly to Cognizant’s CEO, Ravi Kumar S. His expanded responsibilities include overseeing operations, delivery excellence, workforce planning, and leadership initiatives across India, as well as driving the company’s strategic growth and expansion in the region.
Commenting on the appointment, Ravi Kumar S. said, “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”.
Varrier expressed enthusiasm about the new role, stating, “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 Cognizant has in place in India and globally”.
Before joining Cognizant, Varrier served as EVP and Head of Global Services at Infosys Americas, where he also led the company’s Digital and Microsoft businesses. His extensive experience in the tech industry positions him well for his new leadership role at Cognizant.
Meanwhile, Rajesh Nambiar, who will take over as Nasscom President, expressed his gratitude and excitement about the new opportunity. “I am truly humbled to be appointed as the President of Nasscom, an organisation that has been instrumental in shaping the Indian IT industry”, Nambiar said. He brings a wealth of experience, having held senior roles at major technology companies such as TCS, IBM, Ciena, and Cognizant.
Debjani Ghosh, the outgoing President of Nasscom, shared her reflections on her tenure via social media. “My time at Nasscom has been one of the most enriching experiences of my career”, she posted on X (formerly Twitter). Ghosh highlighted her passion for frontier technologies and her aspiration to see India become a global leader in AI and other transformative fields.
Ghosh emphasized the importance of embracing opportunities and pushing boundaries within India’s technology sector. “We have continually pushed the boundaries of what is possible for India’s tech industry, and although there were setbacks, we always emerged stronger”, she noted.
The leadership changes mark a new chapter for both Cognizant and Nasscom, with Varrier and Nambiar taking on pivotal roles in shaping the future of India’s technology landscape.
