Vishal Sikka: Infy's first non-founder CEO

Newly appointed Infosys CEO & MD, Vishal Sikka speaks during a press conference at Infosys headquarters in Bengaluru.

Before taking up his new role, Sikka says all he wants to do during this period is to "learn, learn and learn".

A PhD in artificial intelligence from Stanford University, Sikka was born in Madhya Pradesh to Punjabi parents and spent his formative years in Gujarat, where his father was working with Indian Railways as an engineer. His mother was a teacher at Rajkot. “My wife calls me a fake Punjabi,” he joked, while talking about his connection with Gujarat.

Vishal Sikka: Infosys' CEO & MD pick 

Infosys Executive Chairman N R Narayana Murthy with newly appointed CEO & MD Vishal Sikka at a press conference at Infosys headquarters in Bengaluru.

An excited N R Narayana Murthy, co-founder and executive chairman, on Thursday announced that Sikka was going to be the new chief financial officer & managing director of the company. He soon corrected himself and said in a lighter vein that he got to know Sikka in Hindi meant a coin. So, "Vishal Sikka means lots of money, big money. This is what we need for Infosys... the man who represents big money and a great intellectual competency is coming to us."

Murthy, Sikka at a press conference

Infosys Executive Chairman N R Narayana Murthy addresses a press conference at Infosys headquarters in Bengaluru.

Asked what he planned to do after retirement, Murthy said: "At this time, I want to spend time with my granddaughters, my family...I would also be in a position to read a few books."

Murthy addresses a press conference at Infosys

Man of the moment

An India-born American citizen; his family currently lives in California

Was the first chief technology officer at German software maker SAP AG. He was also a member of the executive board of SAP, leading all products and driving innovation globally until he left the company in May

Holds a PhD in computer science from Stanford University

Is credited with developing HANA (High Performance Analytic Appliance), SAP's flagship in-memory database management system

Was chosen for the Infosys job over three other shortlisted candidates

Infosys names Vishal Sikka new CEO

The excitement in the conference room of Infosys' Bangalore headquarters was palpable when the company on Thursday ended a speculation of months by announcing Vishal Sikka, former executive board member at software maker SAP, was going to be the next chief executive officer & managing director.

At a time when most observers of Infosys were beginning to lose faith in the ability of N R Narayana Murthy to recreate his magic, the iconic co-founder of the information technology (IT) services company seems to have delivered a masterstroke. Murthy not only brought in a widely-favoured chief executive officer (CEO) for the company, but also stepped down to let the new leader chart his course.

By getting Sikka on board, Murthy, it now appears, has done what he had advised Infosys employees in a letter earlier this month “Think big and act bolder”.

Vishal Sikka: Infy's first non-founder CEO

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