Infosys appoints Stanford University provost Etchemendy as independent director

John Etchemendy is a philosophy professor at Stanford University, which is Infosys CEO Vishal Sikka's alma mater

Infosys, India’s second largest information technology (IT) services company, on Thursday announced the appointment of John W Etchemendy as an independent member of its board. Etchemendy is the twelfth and current provost at Stanford University, alma mater of Infosys’ Chief Executive Officer Vishal Sikka.

Etchemendy has been a faculty member in Stanford’s Department of Philosophy since 1983. He is also a faculty member of the Symbolic Systems Program and a senior researcher at the Center of the Study of Language and Information. Prior to joining Standford, Etchemendy served on the faculty at Princeton University for two years. He has authored several books and articles on logic.

"We will benefit immensely from the global experience and insights he brings to the board as we work towards building a next-generation services company," K V Kamath, chairman of Infosys board said.

In a statement issued to announce the appointment, Sikka called Etchemendy "an extraordinary teacher" to him and said his joining Infosys' board will help the company strengthen and reinvent its core foundation of learning and education.

"As we work towards a future where computing technologies greatly amplify human potential, and enable us to create purposeful solutions for businesses around the world, I am very excited that Infosys will have the guidance of this tireless researcher of the human-computing relationship," Sikka said.

Sikka also posted a welcome message for Etchemendy on microblogging website Twitter, which read: "Welcome onboard John! Thrilled to have an amazing teacher, educator & leader join our board."

Infosys' board has seen several changes in the recent past, particularly when last of the company's co-founders retired and gave up their seats.

Additionally, earlier this year, David Boyle had announced his exit as an independent director on Infosys' board. This was followed by Independent Director Ann Fudge's decision to not seek re-appointment "owing to her busy schedule". Her tenure on the company's board completed on June 14, 2014.

In January 2014, Infosys had inducted Biocon Chairman Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw as an independent director on its board. Infosys now has seven independent directors, two executive members and a non-executive member.