Rishad’s cross-industry exposure, knowledge of IT, key to Wipro: Azim Premji

Outgoing Wirpo chairman Azim Premji said son Rishad’s “deep knowledge” of the global technology industry and cross-industry experiences would help the company drive the next phase of growth.

The 41-year-old Wipro scion takes over as executive chairman next month.

Rishad Premji has been a key part of the company’s leadership team since 2007 and was recently made chief strategy officer. He worked with Bain & Company in London and GE Capital in the US before joining Wipro.


“Rishad brings to this role new ways of thinking, experience, and competence that will lead Wipro to greater heights,” Premji told employees in a letter. “He has a deep knowledge of the global technology industry and was until recently the Chairman of the trade body Nasscom, where he helped chart the course of India’s $170 billion software (services) industry in this era of digital transformation. His diverse and cross-industry experiences give him the benefit of a broad view of global business.”

Rishad will also represent the largest stakeholder of the IT services company in his new role.

“Rishad will continue to serve on the Board of the Azim Premji Foundation, the philanthropic organization, which now owns 67% of the economic interest of Wipro Limited,” Premji said in the letter.

Azim Premji, who will continue to serve on the Board of Wipro and dedicate most of his time and energy to the philanthropic efforts of the Foundation, said the software services provider will transform to take up the challenges in the industry.

“Rishad and Abid (the CEO) will lead this transformation along with all of you. I am confident that the future of Wipro will far outshine anything that we have done before,” he told employees.