After helming Infosys as its new non-executive chairman, Nandan Nilekani took a few questions from analysts and media. Excerpts:
When and how are you going to finalise the appointment the new CEO?
The board has approved the appointment of the executive recruitment firm Egon Zehnder to work with its Nominations and Remunerations Committee, headed by Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, to review and identify the right candidate to be the company’s next CEO and MD. Additionally, the committee will deliberate on the long-term governance structure of the board and present its recommendations at the meeting of the board in October.
Are you going to make the Panaya acquision report public as demanded by NR Murthy?
I will be reviewing these investigations and after getting full briefing on these investigations, an appropriate course of action will be taken.
Are there any key guiding principles for the CEO search?
We are going to cast a wide net — internal and external candidates and Infosys alumni. Must have a strong technology prowess, accelerate the execution of strategy and have an expertise in managing a large global organisation and can strengthen relationship with all stakeholders.
Murthy had some concern on governance issues. How are you taking care of investors’, clients’ and management concerns?
Any concern of shareholders needs to be addressed and we will endeavour to do so. I was unanimously supported by the board and other stakeholders. Many institutional investors have asked me to come back. Many of the customers are still there when I was in Infosys and we still have relations. If there are any customer relations that require my involvement, of course, I will do it.
Will there be some disruption, especially since Vishal Sikka has resigned? He was supposed to continue till a new CEO was appointed…..
There will be absolutely no disruption in the business. The reason for his continuation was to manage the CEO transition process. But since I joined, he also felt that it was the appropriate time for him to step down. The company business performance is on the same track.
What is going to be relevant in future from a technology perspective?
There is tremendous opportunity because software data and machine learning is becoming fundamentally transformational in every industry. Earlier, we saw this in media and advertising. But now we are seeing it in entertainment with the rise of Netflix; we are seeing in automobiles with the rise of Tesla and a combination of driverless and electric cars that is fundamentally changing industry. Many of the incumbent companies are facing challenges from these new-age technologies and they will need a lot of assistance for their counter-strategies. If you are able to work on this side, there is plenty of opportunity for Infosys.
There are many cases filed by US law firms and class action in the US. To what extent will that impact Infosys?
Our CFO and legal team will look after it. We want to bring complete stability in the organisation. We want to ensure that we do not have any discordant voice in the organisation and everybody is on the same page. Getting that stability is a big step forward; second, is focussing on people’s energy towards business. Third, is the global search for a CEO. Fourth, is reconstitution of the board.
Should we expect more changes in the board?
I like to believe that I am here more than as a founder. I have been invited by all parties — board, investors, founders. I assume people see me as a unifying and holistic person. Let me assure you that I am committed to all shareholders and board members. All my life, my job was that of a consensus builder. The fact that Aadhaar project was started by one government and carried forward by another government — that shows I have worked for the consensus of the Aadhaar project. I will bring the same consensus-building skill here.
