Best years for TCS lie ahead, writes Chandrasekaran in email to TCS staff

Reiterates ties with TCS, says it will always be much more significant for him despite his new role

N Chandrasekaran, the outgoing chief executive officer and managing director of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and the designated chairman of Tata Sons’ says the best years of India’s largest technology services company lie ahead with the new team, despite its past success.

“Despite the outstanding successes achieved thus far, I strongly believe that TCS’ best years lie ahead. I have every confidence that the new management team will take TCS to the next levels of our aspirations,” Chandrasekaran, who as Tata Group chairman also would be the de facto chairman of TCS, wrote in an email to employees on Friday.

He introduced to employees his successor Rajesh Gopinathan, who will take over as the chief executive officer and managing director of the $16.5-billion software exporter, and N Ganapathy Subramaniam (NGS), who will take over as the chief operating officer. “As you know, Rajesh is a 16-year veteran of TCS and has been a long-standing member of my management team, worked very closely with me in formulating and executing the company strategy, starting from the e-business practice, moving up to head, business finance and then over the last four years as the chief financial officer of TCS,” he further wrote.

On Subramaniam, who happens to be his elder brother, Chandrasekaran said, he is a 35-year veteran of TCS, who has handled responsibilities across the TCS business. “Apart from having managed the Bangalore delivery center and stints in North America and Europe, NGS has been a pillar of our BFS business—from the iconic SEGA/INTERSETTLE and Quartz back in the 90’s to the TCS Financial Solutions business over the last decade and more.”

Chandrasekaran reiterated his ties with the company and said, though he was moving on to a bigger role, TCS would always be much more significant for him. “TCS is the only company I have worked for all my life so far, and I am very proud of being a TCSer. I have enjoyed every one of the 31+ incredible years I have spent with the company. I look forward to continuing my association with TCS—and in turn with all of you — in my new capacity as the Chairman.”

Meanwhile, Tata Steel on Friday announced the appointment of Chandrasekaran as an additional director.