Vemuri, a businessman class apart

Ashok brings a tremendous track record of success and accomplishments working across a range of businesses at Infosys, where he was directly responsible for driving growth for numerous multi-billion dollar projects

Leading integrated technology firm iGate on Thursday appointed former Infosys director Ashok Vemuri as its chief executive officer. Ashok Vemuri boasts of a vast experience of 15 years at the Indian software giant. "After an extensive search process, we selected Ashok, who brings a track record of success at Infosys where he was responsible for driving growth," said iGate co-founder Sunil Wadhwani in a statement.

Joining Infosys in 1999, Vemuri headed its China subsidiary and ran its financial services and insurances business for nine years, making it the largest business unit within Infosys. He gained wide recognition for his role as the company's Head of Americas and Global Head of Manufacturing and Engineering. In this role, Vemuri was responsible for the company’s business operations in the company's largest region, with $4.7 billion in revenues. He oversaw all facets of the business, from strategic direction to maintaining and improving financial and operational efficiency.

Ashok was of one of Infosys’ highest paid executives where he also served as a board member. He holds a Bachelor's degree with Honors in Physics from St Stephens College, Delhi, and a Master's in Business Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Before joining Infosys, he worked in the investment banking industry with Bank of America and Deutsche Bank. Vemuri was also said to be in race to be the next CEO of Infosys

Soon after Vemuri’s exit, Infosys chairman Narayana Murthy said that Vemuri did not consult him before taking the decision to quit. “He said, the probability of his becoming the CEO at Infosys was at best 33 percent and at least 18 to 20 months away. Therefore, he felt that he must move on. I agreed with him and wished him the best since he has been a wonderful Infoscion. He and I will continue our friendly relations even though he will no more be with us”, Murthy said. "Ashok is a talented and established leader, and the board has great confidence in his ability to drive iGate to continued growth into the future," Wadhwani said.

Vemuri’s tenure at iGate is set to commence on September 16. Vemuri apparently would receive a compensation package of about $3 million (Rs 19 crore), in addition to stock options and performance-linked bonuses.