High-profile exits continue at Satyam; Australia head quits

The exodus of high-profile employees from fraud-hit Satyam Computer Services, which got a new owner in Tech Mahindra, continues.

Deepak Nangia, head of Satyam’s Australia unit who, in his seven-year stint, brought the company a long list of clients, including National Australia Bank, Qantas and Telstra, is the latest to quit. Confirming the development, a Satyam spokesperson said Nangia had resigned two months ago to “pursue better opportunities outside the company”.

“If there is any back-up or alternative to Nangia in Australia, it will be known in a day or two,” the spokesperson said, adding there has not been any impact on the customer front with his resignation.

This is the third high-profile departure of a Satyam global head since the January revelation by its founder, Ramalinga Raju, that he had cooked the company’s books.

Earlier in February, Anil Kumar, a senior vice-president based in the US and handling the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) sectors, left the organisation.

Last week, three senior employees of Satyam BPO, the business process outsourcing arm of Satyam, also resigned — Naresh Jhangiani, global head (human resources), V Satyanandam (head of corporate services) and Kulwinder Singh (head of marketing — Asia Pacific).

New directors’ appointment effective from May 27

Satyam Computer Services announced on Wednesday that the appointment of four nominee directors of Tech Mahindra’s subsidiary Venturbay Consultants Private Ltd — Vineet Nayyar, vice-chairman, managing director and chief executive officer of Tech Mahindra; CP Gurnani, head (global operations, sale and marketing functions); Sanjay Kalra, president (strategic initiatives) of Tech Mahindra; and Ulhas N Yargop, president (IT sector) — will be effective as of May 27, 2009.

Accordingly, the board now comprises 10 directors, including the six directors appointed by the Central government in January, pursuant to the orders of the Company Law Board. Satyam had previously announced on May 22 that the appointment of the Venturbay directors to its board would be effective June 1, 2009.