Salil S Parekh

Salil S. Parekh is an Indian business executive and technocrat who currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director (MD) of Infosys Limited, one of India’s largest information technology and consulting firms. Since assuming leadership in January 2018, he has been instrumental in driving Infosys’s transformation towards cloud, digital, and artificial intelligence (AI)-led services, ensuring its competitive positioning in the global technology landscape.

Early Life and Education

Born in 1964, Salil S. Parekh hails from India and has a strong background in engineering and technology. He earned a Bachelor of Technology in Aeronautical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay, one of India’s premier engineering institutions. He further pursued higher studies in the United States, completing Master of Engineering degrees in Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University. His academic foundation in both engineering and computing shaped his analytical and leadership approach in the IT services domain.

Early Career and Professional Journey

Before joining Infosys, Parekh accumulated over 25 years of experience in the global consulting and technology industry. His career began with Ernst & Young LLP, where he worked in the consultancy division, focusing on technology and business transformation. Following the acquisition of the consultancy practice by Capgemini, he transitioned into a leadership role within the French multinational’s technology services operations.
At Capgemini, Parekh rose to become a member of the Group Executive Board, holding significant responsibility for the firm’s Application Services, Cloud Infrastructure Services, and offshore delivery operations. He was known for his strategic vision, operational discipline, and ability to scale global technology and consulting operations across markets in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Appointment at Infosys

Salil Parekh joined Infosys Limited as CEO and Managing Director on 2 January 2018, succeeding Vishal Sikka. His appointment came at a crucial time when the company sought stable leadership and a renewed strategic direction following a period of internal transitions.
Under Parekh’s leadership, Infosys embarked on a new phase of growth, focusing on digital transformation, automation, and building long-term value for clients. His management approach is characterised by stability, collaboration, and a sharp focus on execution excellence.

Leadership Initiatives and Strategic Vision

As CEO and MD, Parekh has emphasised several strategic areas:

• Digital Transformation: Expanding Infosys’s digital services portfolio, including cloud computing, AI, cybersecurity, and enterprise modernisation.
• Client-Centric Innovation: Deepening client engagement through consulting-led digital partnerships and co-creation initiatives.
• Global Expansion: Strengthening the company’s presence across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions.
• Employee Development: Investing in reskilling and talent transformation through learning platforms like Lex and Infosys Springboard.
• Sustainability and Governance: Promoting responsible business practices, carbon-neutral operations, and diversity in leadership.

Under his leadership, Infosys has significantly expanded its portfolio of global clients, modernised its service delivery model, and enhanced its focus on automation and AI-driven business solutions.

Achievements and Organisational Performance

Salil Parekh’s tenure has been marked by strong operational performance and business transformation. Key achievements include:

• Consistent revenue growth driven by digital and cloud-based services.
• Increased market share in strategic sectors such as financial services, retail, manufacturing, and telecommunications.
• Enhanced employee satisfaction and client retention, reflecting cultural and managerial stability.
• Strengthening of Infosys Cobalt, the firm’s cloud ecosystem platform, which became a central pillar in its growth strategy.
• Strategic acquisitions in technology and consulting firms to enhance domain expertise and geographic reach.

Parekh’s leadership has been commended for steadying the company after a turbulent phase and positioning Infosys as a global digital transformation leader.

Challenges and Industry Context

Leading Infosys in a rapidly changing technology environment has presented several challenges:

• Managing macroeconomic uncertainties, including global slowdowns and currency fluctuations.
• Navigating competitive pressures from global peers such as TCS, Accenture, and Wipro.
• Addressing talent retention and skill modernisation in the face of evolving client demands.
• Ensuring regulatory compliance across international markets and maintaining strong governance.

Despite these challenges, Parekh has maintained a steady course by combining operational resilience with innovation-driven growth.

Leadership Style and Philosophy

Salil Parekh is widely regarded for his calm, collaborative, and strategic leadership style. Known for encouraging decentralised decision-making, he empowers regional and functional teams to innovate and execute effectively. His approach contrasts with more aggressive leadership models, favouring steady growth and long-term value creation over short-term gains.
He has also been an advocate of data-driven decision-making, digital reinvention, and inclusive corporate culture, positioning Infosys as a company that combines technological strength with human-centred values.

Recognition and Compensation

As one of the most prominent figures in the Indian IT sector, Parekh’s leadership has received recognition in both business and academic circles. His remuneration reflects Infosys’s appreciation of his impact, making him one of the highest-paid executives in the Indian IT industry. His compensation is performance-linked, tied to revenue growth, digital adoption, and shareholder value creation.

Global Role and Industry Influence

Beyond Infosys, Salil Parekh is an influential voice in the global technology and business community. He serves on various international industry and policy forums, contributing to discussions on AI governance, digital transformation, and sustainable innovation. His strategic insights have also supported collaboration between India and global markets, particularly in advancing digital ecosystems and skill development.

Significance and Legacy

Salil S. Parekh’s tenure as CEO and MD of Infosys signifies a critical period of transformation for the company. He has successfully balanced innovation with operational discipline, guiding Infosys through technological shifts and global uncertainties. His leadership underscores the evolution of Indian IT firms from outsourcing providers to end-to-end digital transformation partners for global enterprises.
His career exemplifies the growing prominence of Indian executives on the world stage and their capacity to lead multinational corporations with agility, vision, and integrity.