shot-button
Subscription Subscription
Home > News > India News > Article > Nationality Not an issue

Nationality? Not an issue

Updated on: 28 September,2010 11:44 AM IST  | 
Sunanda Jayaseelan |

Having younger people take more responsibility for the destiny of the company is the way forward, according to Infosys chairman, N R Narayana Murthy

Nationality? Not an issue

Having younger people take more responsibility for the destiny of the company is the way forward, according to Infosys chairman, N R Narayana Murthy. In an interview with CNBC TV18's Sunanda Jayaseelan, he spoke about how Infosys' shareholders and investors would react to the possibility of a foreigner as his successor.

Below is a transcript.

Q: How would Infosys' shareholders and investors react to the possibility of a foreigner as your successor?
A:
Given that we have a significant percentage of foreign holding in Infosys, I don't think it matters whether it's an Indian or a foreigner who chairs the company. What they would look for is a person who can guide the company in the proper direction, who can manage the board well, who has the support of all the people in the company. So I don't think it would matter.


Q: Everyone talks about the executive council at Infosys and about how the members are eventually being groomed to take leadership positions. How soon could we see one of the executive council members either as a CEO, CFO or COO?
A:
That's again not for me to comment given that I will be leaving next year and Gopalakrishnan is the CEO. I am sure we will see in the years to come one of the members of the executive council become the COO. There is no doubt at all but whether it is going to happen in the next two years, five years, seven years is not for me to comment.

Succession planning is on everyone's minds. First, it was who would succeed Ratan Tata and now the debate on Narayana Murthy's successor is on. The names of Deepak Satwalekar amongst others are being talked about as a possible choice for the role.

Jeffrey Lehman, chairman of the nomination committee at Infosys, who is responsible for selecting a successor to Narayana Murthy, who will step down from the board during August 2011 told CNBC-TV18 that it was not possible to clone Narayana Murthy.

He says it would be very important for any such candidate to really have Murthy's personal style of leadership.
On the specific question whether such a person would need to be from within Infosys, he said that that is not necessary, but it would be very important for that person to have a strong understanding both of the IT industry and a deep and strong understanding of Infosys.

On whether it would be necessary for the person to be an Indian national, Nandan after he stepped down as CEO moved on to the board to develop global clients, a global relationship for Infosys, and that post is vacant, or they could possibly look at an American to grow their relationship in the US which is one of their largest revenue market, he said they had no such restrictive guidelines or framework.

Commenting on whether initially they would focus only on the founders to see if there was a right fit, as the founders at Infosys have played a very critical role at the company, Lehman said, "Looking at the founders only initially for the role would be wrong."

"We are looking for the best person for the role. There is no restriction on nationality. I think you asked whether at this point we have established any hard and fast restrictions along those lines and the answer is no, we have not established any hard and fast restrictions," said Lehman. He said that while Murthy is not going to have any veto decision so to speak on the choice of candidate, the candidate who is chosen would be someone who pleases both Narayana Murthy himself and Infosys shareholders.

Source: CNBC-TV18



"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK