Cognizant names Rajesh Varrier new Global Operations Head
NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES — Global IT services firm Cognizant has made some key changes in its leadership team.
The company has appointed Rajesh Varrier as the new Global Head of Operations starting September 2, 2024. He will also take on the role of Chairman & Managing Director, India from October 1, 2024, following Rajesh Nambiar’s departure to become president of NASSCOM.
Varrier, who will be an Executive Vice President, will report directly to Cognizant’s CEO, Ravi Kumar S, and will be based in Bangalore, India.
How Cognizant will build resilience in India
Varrier’s responsibilities will encompass operations, Delivery Excellence, workforce planning, and the India Leadership Council.
He is also tasked with driving company transformation programs and representing Cognizant in its growth initiatives across India.
Today, we announced the appointment of Rajesh Varrier as Global Head of Operations and Managing Director in India where he will provide leadership for our India-based employees with an emphasis on transformation programs and leading our expansion in India. https://t.co/jsxfoAzky6 pic.twitter.com/WuQaNn6YtN
— Cognizant (@Cognizant) August 21, 2024
“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,” said Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S.
“Additionally, the job of India Chair is deeply important to our culture and my years of working with Rajesh 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 background and experience
Bringing years of experience to this new role, Varrier has spent many years at Infosys in various roles, including EVP and Head of Global Services, Infosys Americas, and Global Head of Infosys’ Digital and Microsoft businesses.
He was also the CIO and Digital Officer for Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance and founded the analytics firm Activecubes.
Varrier holds an undergraduate degree in Physics and a postgraduate degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Mumbai.
Varrier expressed his enthusiasm about his new role: “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.”
Cognizant, a Fortune 500 company recognized among the world’s most respected businesses, combines technologies like IoT, AI, and cloud to help clients stay ahead of workforce and market changes. It ranked #6 in the OA500 2024, an objective index of the world’s top 500 outsourcing companies.
