Info Edge's Sanjeev Bikhchandani takes charge, assures continuity after Hitesh Oberoi

New Delhi, Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani has sought to reassure employees that the company's leadership transition will not disrupt its strategic direction or business momentum, as Hitesh Oberoi moves out of the CEO role after 16 years to pursue other priorities.

In a message to employees, Bikhchandani said Oberoi would continue to be associated with the company as a non-executive board member, shareholder and adviser, while he would take charge of steering the organisation through its next phase.

Info Edge (India) Ltd, the owner of Naukri.com, is reshaping its leadership, with founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani set to return to an executive role as managing director and group chief executive officer after Hitesh Oberoi steps down from the top operating job following nearly 27 years with the company.


Oberoi will relinquish his positions as managing director and CEO at the close of business on December 2, the company announced last week.

"While there is change there is also continuity. We shall continue to work with the same clarity, commitment and resolve going forward," Bikhchandani wrote to about 6,700 employees on November 1.

He described Oberoi's contribution to Info Edge as significant, crediting him with helping build the company into what it is today and creating an institution capable of enduring beyond individual leadership tenures.

"He is not really leaving but merely moving to a non-executive role," he said, adding that Oberoi would remain a personal friend and supporter of the company and would be available to offer advice and guidance.

Bikhchandani said Oberoi was handing over a smoothly functioning organisation, with its businesses and teams continuing to move forward with clarity and commitment. He also acknowledged the contribution of employees and leadership teams, noting that no founder or CEO builds an organisation alone.

"Much of what we will do in the next decade or two will carry Hitesh's fingerprints on it," he said.

Describing Oberoi's 16-year tenure as instrumental in shaping Info Edge, Bikhchandani said the outgoing CEO had embodied the principles of clarity, commitment and resolve that would continue to guide the company.

He said these principles would translate into strategic focus, commitment to customers and shareholders, high standards of corporate governance and transparency, superior execution, innovation and employee engagement.

"The thing that great builders do is that they create an organization and an institution that endures. Hitesh has done that at Info Edge," Bikhchandani said.

He also noted that Oberoi had received messages from investors across the world following the announcement, describing the response as a testament to the respect he had earned across the broader business ecosystem.

The transition marks a significant change in the leadership structure of Info Edge. Bikhchandani's emphasis on the strength of the existing leadership team and the continuity of business operations suggests that the company intends to maintain its strategic course rather than undertake a major organisational reset.

Bikhchandani, currently the company's founder and vice chairman, will take over as executive vice chairman, managing director and group CEO from the same date, also subject to shareholder approval. His appointment is scheduled to run until April 26, 2031, in line with his existing shareholder-approved term.