Indian IT major Infosys announced on Friday that Ravi Venkatesan, Independent Director is stepping down from the Board to accept an exciting new role. Venkatesan has been an independent director since 2011.
He also briefly served as Co-Chairman before successfully transitioning this responsibility when Nandan Nilekani became Chairman in August 2017.
“I joined the Board at a time when Infosys was beginning the complex journey of transitioning from founder-led to professional management. This was also a time of tectonic industry shifts. I am pleased that this mission has been accomplished. Infosys is strong, in good hands, and is gaining momentum. My seven years on the board have been exciting, rewarding and eventful. l feel fortunate to have been part of this extraordinary company at a seminal moment in its history and to have worked with so many fine colleagues on the Board and in management. I wish Infosys and all Infoscions the greatest success in the coming years,” Venkatesan said in a statement.
Commenting on his departure, Nandan Nilekani, Chairman of the Board said that Ravi has been a champion for driving social impact and his desire to do more is what led to him stepping off the board.
“I thank Ravi for his pivotal contributions to Infosys in a period of important transitions and towards a digital-first future. This passage is one that every entrepreneurial company faces eventually and I thank Ravi for his leadership in ensuring a successful transition. The Board will miss his passion, strategic insights, and personal warmth, but he will always remain a friend... I am delighted that he will be pursuing an exciting opportunity in this area. On behalf of my colleagues on the Board, I wish him all success with his new endeavor,” he added.
Ravi Venkatesan was appointed as the co-chairman of the Infosys Board in April 2017. However, post the Infosys battle in 2017 that led to the exit of Vishal Sikka and R Seshasayee, Ravi Venkatesan too, stepped down after the Board appointed co-founder Nandan Nilekani as non-Executive Director.
“Ravi has been a good friend, an extraordinary colleague, and a valuable board member at a hugely important time for Infosys. We will miss him greatly,” Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Lead Independent Director said.