Infy's Nilekani may move to US

IT services provider, Infosys Technologies, is likely to effect certain management changes amid industry speculation is rife that Nandan Nilekani, co-chairman, may relocate to the US for professional and personal reasons. Nilekani, sources point out, may shift to the US since his daughter, Janhvi , is studying there. His son, Nihar, may also shift to the US for higher studies.

The management revamp might be announced at the company's quarterly results conference on October 11. A company spokesperson, however, declined to comment on the issue.

Just six months back, Nilekani was elevated as co-chairman, while another founder S Gopalakrishnan took over as the chief executive officer.

Though Infosys Chief Mentor N R Narayana Murthy said the company would focus on European markets in wake of the appreciating rupee, the US remains the biggest market for India's second largest software exporter.

US accounts for over 63 per cent of Infosys' revenues and Nilekani - who is working at board level contacts for significant deals - might prefer staying in that country for effective coordination. Nilekani, who is also writing a book, is also planning to build a think-tank. In addition, Infosys recently became the part of the Nasdaq 100 - a move which will result in more and more analysts increasing their focus on the company.

Another agenda, which is getting increasingly visible, is of a significant acquisition looming ahead, which will be driven by Nilekani.

Incidentally, the trend of moving a strategic person to the US is picking up with MindTree Consulting's COO Subroto Bagchi recently shifting base to the country.