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Ashok Vemuri, before taking up his current role as IGate CEO, was Head of Infosys Americas and also their Global head of manufacturing and engineering services. His role involved setting strategic direction, driving financial and operational excellence and providing overall leadership.
ALSO READ: iGate names Ashok Vemuri as CEO
Vemuri was widely believed to be one of the lead contenders to take over from the current Infosys CEO, S D Shibulal when he retires in 2015. But in a move that took the industry by surprise, Vemuri put in his papers a few weeks back. Vemuri, who was considered to be very close to N R Narayana Murthy, the Executive Chairman of Infosys had made his intentions clear of becoming a CEO and decided to move on when he saw his chances were slim in Infosys.
Speaking to Business Standard after Vemuri’s exit, 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 joined Infosys in 1999 and had served in a number of leadership roles across the company. He was the Chairman of Infosys China, served on the board of Infosys Public Services and was responsible for business operations in the Americas, the company's largest region in terms of clients and revenues.
Vemuri was elected to the Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL) by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2009.
Ashok Vemuri holds a degree in Physics from St. Stephens College, Delhi, and a degree in Business Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
