Accenture joins other global tech firms in getting a woman as India head

Elevates Rekha Menon as India chairman; Anindya Basu made country MD

Information technology (IT) services and consulting major, Accenture, has named Rekha M Menon its chairman for India. A company veteran who previously was the managing director (human resources) for Accenture's growth markets, including India, Menon succeeds Avinash Vasishtha, who quit the company last month to explore opportunities outside.

Interestingly, with Menon's elevation, most large global technology companies now have women heading India operations. For example, IBM India has Vanitha Narayanan as its managing director, Intel India is headed by Kumud Srinivasan as president, and Capgemini India is headed by Chief Executive Aruna Jayanthi.

Similarly, HP India is headed by Neelam Dhawan as managing director, and Facebook India Managing Director Kirthiga Reddy heads the social network's operations in the country.

By comparison, however, no major Indian IT services company at present has a woman in top position. A few women, though, are seen moving up the ladder in the management hierarchy. The number of women holding senior management positions in companies like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro and Infosys is also steadily increasing.

"Traditionally, because of the way Indian IT organisations started off, technology has been an all-male area," said C K Guruprasad, principal (Global Technology & Services) at executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles. "But even in Indian IT organisations, we are increasingly seeing women rising rapidly to leadership positions. So, it's only a matter of time before you will start seeing something similar at Indian firms as well."

For example, in March this year, TCS elevated Arathi Subramanian, head of its global delivery excellence group, to its board as an executive director. This made the company the first in the Indian IT services space to have a woman executive director. Last year, ITC Infotech, the wholly owned IT outsourcing subsidiary of ITC Group, had appointed Sushama Rajgopalan as CEO & MD.

"I think it (Menon's elevation as the Accenture India chairman) is a good thing. You will, hopefully, see her appointment catalysing the whole industry," said Biocon Chairman & Managing Director Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who is also a non-executive director on the board of Infosys, India's second-largest IT services company.

According to RGF Executive Search MD R Suresh, there are examples of women taking global roles or key positions in the technology industry. But when it comes to India, global MNCs are primarily managing their delivery centres, which are not much of business positions.

"Even in the case of Accenture, India is a delivery centre. Indian companies, especially the IT ones, have always been focused on markets, efficiency and delivery roles. These involve extensive travelling, and long working hours," he added. "Indian IT firms hiring women for top positions will be different."

Before heading the HR operations in growth markets for Accenture, Menon was the company's managing director (geographic operations) for India, Asean and the Asia-Pacific delivery centres. In her new role, she will play an active role in growing Accenture's business and further strengthening its presence in communities across India.

"Menon has made impressive contributions to our people and our communities," said Gianfranco Casati, Accenture's group chief executive, growth markets. "Her experience will be extremely valuable as we continue to build our brand and enhance our reputation as a leader in India."

Accenture has also announced the elevation of Anindya Basu as the country managing director in India. A company veteran of 23 years, Basu would continue to work with Accenture's Products clients in India, and also serve as Asia-Pacific regional lead for the company's automotive, industrial, infrastructure and travel & transportation industry practice, Accenture said.

Both these appointments will be effective from August 21.

(With contribution from Raghu Krishnan)