The mantle has to go to professionals, too: Nadathur Sarangapani Raghavan

Interview with co-founder and former joint managing director, Infosys

Nadathur Sarangapani Raghavan, co-founder and former joint managing director of Infosys, was also the company’s first official employee (N R Narayana Murthy joined the team only after fulfilling his commitments at Patni Computers). Raghavan was the second among the co-founders to leave (he took retirement) the company in 2000. He has kept his entrepreneurship spirit alive through his venture funding company Nadathur Holdings. Raghavan, who is currently based out of Singapore, tells Bibhu Ranjan Mishra he is happy that the charge of Infosys has gone to safe hands. Edited excerpts:

Infosys has appointed Vishal Sikka as the new CEO. As a co-founder, what is your reaction?

It is a step in the right direction and it’s really a good move by the company.

As a co-founder, how do you feel that your creation will now be taken care of by someone else?

These transitions have to happen. Original promoters can’t be there forever. At some point, the mantle has to go to professionals and that is what’s happening now. Of course, the process has gone though some twists and turns, but that is okay — it is part of the game. But ultimately, a good person is taking over. I am sure the board will give him full support to take the company forward.

Do you feel relieved that the company has gone to safe hands now?

Yes. I am quite happy.

In the next couple of months, all the founders will leave the company. Did you imagine such a day would come when you co-founded the company 33 years ago?

We have created the establishment and we are happy about it. We are also happy that the leadership is being transitioned to a new set of leaders.

It (the company) has grown to a level and it is just that we are walking away and someone is still there to hand over the charge to proper professionals. Murthy has done a fantastic job.

Among the co-founders, you are the second one to retire from the company after Ashok Arora. Are there many senior people left in the company, especially the ones who have worked with you?

Yes, there are many. For example, U B Pravin Rao — I remember recruiting him. Likewise, a lot of people are still there.

Do you expect that non-founder leaders will be able to carry forward the ethics and corporate governance standards introduced by the founders?

That is very important. It (ethics) is embedded in the culture of the company and I hope the culture will continue with the new generation finding value in what we have done in the past.

What would be your message to the new leaders?

I left long time back and a lot of transition has happened since then. I am not the right person to give advice but I am sure they (new leaders) know what they need to do. Anyway, the board is there to monitor, help and support them. I am sure they will be able to do well.