Wipro appoints Abidali Neemuchwala as CEO, TK Kurien promoted as executive vice chairman

Wipro, India's third-largest IT exporter, has appointed Abidali Z Neemuchwala as its chief executive officer and promoted present CEO TK Kurien as executive vice chairman, effective 1 February 2016. Kurien will complete five-year tenure as CEO in January.

''In his nine months as the group president and chief operating officer, Neemuchwala has effortlessly assimilated into the culture and ethos of Wipro. The new structure will ensure smooth succession and will build on the solid foundation we have developed to drive superior growth and profitability,'' said Azim Premji, chairman, Wipro.

Neemuchwala joined the company 10 months ago as group president and COO, following a 23-year stint with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). He was global head of TCS' Business Provider Services unit.

A post-graduate from IIT Bombay, Neemuchwala hold a masters in industrial management and is also an electronics and communication graduate from NIT-Raipur.

''As executive vice chairman, Kurien will enable Abidali Neemuchwala by leveraging his deep relationships with customers and chart out a new technology roadmap for Wipro,'' he added.

Kurien, who turns 58 next year, will continue to report to Azim Premji and will remain a member of the board until 31 March 2017.