PERSONALITY IN FOCUS: Rajesh

Gopinathan

Outgoing CEO of Tata Consultancy Services

Rajesh Gopinathan, born in 1971, is the outgoing CEO and Managing Director of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), an Indian information technology and consulting firm and one of the country's major employers. He was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in February 2017 after serving as Chief Financial Officer since 2013. Rajesh is one of the Tata Group's youngest CEOs.

Gopinathan was born in the Kerala town of Thrissur. He currently lives in Mumbai with his wife, daughter, and son. Rajesh enjoys going for long walks, reading books, travelling, and watching movies. Rajesh attended St. Mary's Convent Inter College RDSO Manak Nagar Lucknow and is an alumnus of the 1987 batch of SMCIC RDSO LKO, according to his classmates. Rajesh received his Electrical and Electronics Engineering degree from the Regional Engineering College in Tiruchirappalli in 1994. (now National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli). He earned a post-graduate certificate in management (PGDM, the equivalent of an MBA) from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad in 1996.

In 1996, he joined the Tata Strategic Management Group, where he worked on various projects for Tata enterprises. Rajesh joined Tata Consultancy Services from Tata Industries in 2001, where he oversaw TCS' newly developed e-business segment in the United States. He contributed to the design, structure, and execution of the company's new organisational structure and operational model. Rajesh joined the organisation as Chief Financial Officer in 2013. He was previously Vice President Of Business Finance, where he was in charge of the financial management of the company's many operating units. After four years as the company's Chief Financial Officer, he was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in February 2017.

Gopinathan was named India's Best CEO in the Super Large Companies category by Business Today (India) in 2021, and Outstanding Business Leader of the Year - CNBC TV18 India Business Leader Awards' (IBLA) in 2020. Gopinathan also received the Bombay Management Association's 2019 Management Man Achiever of the Year award, as well as CECP's CEO Force for Good Award. He was also selected to the Brand Guardianship Index 2019 list of the Top 100 Global CEOs. TCS became the most valuable firm in India in April 2018 when its market valuation surpassed USD 100 billion under Rajesh's leadership. According to the Brand Finance 2021 study, TCS' brand value increased by $1.4 billion over the previous year to USD 15 billion in 2021, placing it in the Top 3 most valuable brands in the IT Services sector globally.

Rajesh has been instrumental in assisting TCS in becoming a 22 billion worldwide corporations by the end of fiscal year 2020. TCS is one of the largest private sector employers in the world, with over 469,000 colleagues, and was named a Global Top Employer for the sixth consecutive year in 2021, with the highest retention rate in a competitive industry. He made a big contribution to TCS becoming the preferred partner of Fortune 500 companies.

Rajesh Gopinathan's annual remuneration is estimated to be around Rs. 16.02 crore (roughly $2.1 million). As part of his remuneration package, he also receives stock options and other bonuses. His net worth is expected to reach over $15 million in 2023, owing mostly to his stock options in TCS. His total salary increased by 26.6 percent to Rs 25.75 crore in fiscal year 2021-22. You read that correctly! It includes a Rs 1.5 crore salary, Rs 2.25 crore in benefits and allowances, and a total commission (upon earnings) of Rs 22 crore. According to the company's annual report, TCS pays its managing director and executive directors income in the form of salary, benefits, perquisites, and allowances (fixed component) and commission (variable component).

Rajesh Gopinathan is well-known for his simple way of life and approachable demeanour. Despite being one of the most influential executives in the Indian IT business, he is noted for keeping a low profile and avoiding extravagant shows of riches. He enjoys spending his free time with family and friends and is a voracious reader.

The Indian government proposed Rajesh Gopinathan to the Board of Commerce in July 2022. He is a member of the UK Investment Council as well as the CII National Council. Not only that, but he is a member of the India-US CEO Forum and the 2001 India-Japan Business Leaders Forum.

He will step down as CEO starting September 15, 2023. K. Krithivasan, the company's President and worldwide head of the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) vertical, has been appointed CEO and will take over on March 16, 2023.

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Tata Consultancy Services Ltd appointed company veteran K Krithivasan as CEO designate after Rajesh Gopinathan resigned. Gopinathan, who completed six years as CEO of the Indian IT behemoth in January, was reappointed as CEO till 2027 last year. Gopinathan will continue with the company till September 15, 2023 to provide transition and support to his successor.

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