CIOs waiting in the wings to become future CEOs ...

Titus Gunaseelan, director IT, JM Financial

Hailing from...

Originally from South India, I began my career at Bluechip Corporate Investment, then shifting to India Infoline where I experienced a period of quick growth in a relatively short span. Thereon I worked at Anand Rathi for three years as the VP, IT and moved back to India Infoline as CTO.

CEO or CIO

I prefer the CIOs role in whatever avatar it comes as I believe this role will always give me the leverage to draw on all my experience to create world-class infrastructure for my company that will create value at every step in the value chain of the financial sector.

Key projects

Having worked primarily in the BFSI sector, my first project at Bluechip for computerization program from scratch, way back in the 90s, was a challenging one and I succeeded in moving the business to an automated environment. Another of my challenging projects was during my first stint at India Infoline, where I managed the all-India online distribution management system and then later led the development and implementation of their online trading platform. I had the opportunity to set up and manage their IT infrastructure to ensure 24/7 availability.

Five years hence...

I aspire to be remembered for my leadership role in introducing and implementing new technological platforms for improving efficiency of the financial sector. I see myself leading a world class organization that leads its industry through the deployment and utilization of the latest technologies.

Prashant Cherukuri, CTO, 24/7 Customer

Hailing from...

In my previous stint, I was the CIO at Aditya Birla Minacs North America. Subsequently I was appointed as Chief Delivery Officer at Minacs IT Services, responsible for overall delivery of IT business.

CEO or CIO

CIO definitely as I can contribute with my technology background and experience, giving an edge to business from the technology perspective.

Key projects

At Aditya Birla, I was part of a global team that executed the business intelligence initiative including setting up dashboards, data mining portals and scorecards (for giving the business end-to-end visibility on performance). I was also instrumental in automating processes resulting in 30% reduction in labor costs.

Five years hence

Certainly as a techie but maybe as a CIO with a difference as the Chief Innovation Officer...why not?

Nilesh Sangoi, CIO, Meru Cabs

Hailing from...

Although I was working for six years before I joined Star India, I was working in smaller IT companies which didnt give me the opportunity to grow. Star was the platform on which I grew from an executive role to an AVP, IT; all in a matter of ten years.

CEO or CIO

I personally feel that I am still not ready to graduate to a CEO role. Technology still continues to excite me and at Meru I am still learning a lot about business and financials.

Key Projects

At Star we did automation of the advertising inventory management project to keep track of the utilized advertising slot time, made available to our sales team in real-time for slot selling. At Meru, we are perhaps Indias first online taxi company therefore technology was integral for handling customer calls, automated cab dispatch...We deployed three key projects in just nine monthsSiebel CRM for the integrating cab dispatch with HR, finance; Oracle Financials for account payable, receivable and cash management; Oracle HR for employee management, asset management (for fleet management).

Five years hence...

Perhaps I would be keen to take up roles which are more meaningful and useful for the nation, somewhat on the lines of what Nandan Nilekani is doing.

Atul Luthra, CIO, ABC Consultants

Hailing from...

I started my career as an operations manager at Green Field, continued in the role at Trinity and even became head of operations at WNS. From there I made the shift to technology wherein I led the IT team at WNS Gurgaon. From there I joined PVR as head IT.

CEO or CIO

Like others I too would like to eventually grow into a CEOs role. But I believe its easier to become a CEO in an IT/ITeS company while the challenges of a CEO in a non-IT company are different as he has to handle sales, marketing etc. Its a different ball game altogether.

Key projects

At PVR I introduced online ticketing on the PVR portal including inserting applications on web for booking online tickets. A CRM application for providing customer support was also rolled out. A unique application was also executed for internal usage for doing an automated headcount of the number of people inside the auditorium, to check on ticket pilferage.

Five years hence...

CEO definitely, although I believe that as a CIO my knowledge is limited and to take on the CEOs role, I need to be more mature.

Manish Gupta, CIO, HCG Global

Hailing from...

With a BTech from IIT and an MBA from FMS Delhi, I worked for several years as a consultant in the US, at PwC, and came back to India in 2003. As a confused 31-year-old, I was thinking of becoming an entrepreneur when the job of IT head at Nestle India landed in my lap. From where my journey in technology began moving to Whirlpool and then to Fortis India as CIO.

CEO or CIO

I would love to be the CEO of an MNC where there are set processes and a reputed brand name although I feel that even though we CIOs know a lot of business yet we dont have the guts to drive business and to have targets.

Key projects

The cancer medical record project which I, along with the promoter, are in the process of developing for creating a registry of cancer patients, registry of guidelines for doctors and treatment procedure will change the history of cancer treatment in India.

Five years hence...

Bitten by the entrepreneurial bug, I am a partner in a healthcare IT solutions start-up, and five years later, I plan to open up a social media venture for the healthcare sector for patient profiling where doctors, hospitals and patients will be able to interacta sort of a sub-network to LinkedIn.

Kamal Goel, VP (Technology), India Infoline

Hailing from...

In my current role I am responsible for managing the IT infrastructure which consists of a network of more than 2,500 business locations spread over 500 cities. In my 19 years experience, I have served at BLB Trading & Asit C Mehta Investment Intermediates and therefore have domain expertise of financial markets and hands-on experience on Indian & International Commodity Market including MCX, CBOT, Comex & Nymex.

Key projects

In my previous stint at BLB Trading, I was instrumental in leading the first of its kind project in Indiathe Program Trading Projectand got the first algorithm trading approval from the stock exchange which went live in 2004. I also initiated Express Feed on the VSAT network, which was commissioned in 2009.

CIO or CEO

I wouldnt mind becoming a CEO any day, but at the same time one has to ensure that before dreaming big I should also have a business bent of mind.

Five years hence...

Being business minded and at ease with handling technology and business simultaneously, I see myself in the boardroom as the head of a business unit.

Nandkishore Dhomne, CIO, Manipal Health Enterprise

Hailing from...

Working as programmer at Texprint, I moved to become a system analyst at Apparel Export Promotion Council where I was instrumental in streamlining IT infrastructure. My next job was with Container Corporation of India as senior manager, IT where I did ERP implementation for a 4,000-employees organization. Before joining Manipal, I worked at GMR as AGM, IT as head of IT infrastructure and data center operations.

CEO or CIO

Being a CIO, I have the opportunity to understand the key functions of an organization and learn all about operations since we provide solutions to each department. However I definitely see my future as CEO before which I need to understand business.

Key projects

I have been instrumental in executing the Hospital Information System at Manipal. It has automated every hospital process right from the time the patient enters the hospital thereby reducing cycle time for services to process standardization, transparency, and information availability. At GMR, I implemented the data center and MPLS network for providing common applications like ERP, messaging, and knowledge portal across locations.

Five years hence...

I still can see myself as CIO, upgrading and enhancing my skills from the technology perspective.

Sachin Jain, CIO, Evalueserve

Hailing from...

Currently I am working as Global CIO and CISO at Evalueserve where I am responsible for all aspects of strategic IT planning, implementation, support and information security worldwide In my earlier stints, I was leading the project Ties2Family, Indias first social networking website way back in 2000, and have also spent three years working with a start-up and Asian Paints.

Key projects

Having successfully converted the internal software team from a cost center to profit center, I have been instrumental in setting up the IT group including a software development team and information security practice at Evalueserve. Setting up IT for new delivery centers across the globe, integration of all offices, collaboration between cross geography and culture are some of the key projects I have executed in the last few years.

Five years hence...

While I will be gaining more experience over the next few years, I would want to take additional responsibility to understand business and operations more. I see myself growing as an expert and an experienced leader over the next 4-5 years.

Puneet Kaur Kohli, Group CIO, Marvel Group

Hailing from...

Beginning my career at Motorola as a programmer, I soon graduated to the position of EDP Manager at Duncan Industries from where I moved to Reliance Energy (now BSES) as senior manager. My first break as CIO came at Carrier Airconditioning. I was working as Group CIO Soma Networks before I joined the Marvel Group.

CEO or CIO

As a CIO I get to spend a lot of time with the CEO, giving me hands-on-experience, therefore a few years from now I would definitely like to see myself as CEO, and perhaps work as the Devils Advocate and apply strategic thinking to technology.

Key projects

At Reliance, I implemented SCADA for automating 127 Grid stations in Delhi apart from implementing a single window clearance for dealer extranet for faster bill clearance. In one of my stints as head, IT operations at Bharti, I was instrumental in the consolidation projects of 300 off programs onto a single instance and thereafter we did a common platform to work on these systems.

Five years hence...

I am also keen to turn entrepreneur myself and put my experience to use or if offered a CEOs profile, I might even take that up and put the entrepreneurial plans on the back burner, at least for some time.

Stuti Das
stutid@cybermedia.co.in