Global networking giant Cisco is expected to name Jeff White as its new head for the India operations replacing Naresh Wadhwa who has left the company, sources told FE. White, currently vice-president of Cisco’s service provider business for Asia Pacific, Japan and China will takeover as president and country manager, India and Saarc.
The likely change will actually see Cisco bringing back an expatriate to head the India operations after a long period of time. White has held varied roles within the technology company in areas such as sales & channels and strategic accounts. When contacted by FE, a spokesperson from Cisco confirmed Wadhwa’s exit from the company but did not comment on who will succeed him.
Wadhwa, who joined Cisco, India in January 1998, has served in several roles. Prior to his leadership position as the India and Saarc head in 2007, he was based in Hong Kong for four years as part of an APAC leadership team. During that period he took on various key positions including the company’s foray into new markets. Wadhwa, an engineering graduate in electronics from the Mumbai University, has worked with 3Com Asia and Wipro Infotech, prior to his 15-year stint at Cisco.
Prior to Wadhwa, the Cisco India operations for a brief period was headed by Jangoo Dalal who later moved to D-Link while the company went for a major expansion during the three-year tenure of Rangu Salgame between 2003 and 2006.
India has been a key market for Cisco generating R7,096 crore in FY12, according to Voice&Data estimates. In 1998, the it started its operations in India with 10 engineers, now it is testbed for emerging markets with over 10,000 employees across three centres.