Salil Parekh: CEO & MD of Infosys

When Salil Parekh took over as CEO and Managing Director of Infosys in January 2018, the company was facing leadership turbulence and questions about its direction. Seven years later, Parekh brought stability, sharpened Infosys’s focus on digital transformation, and positioned it as one of the most resilient players in the global IT services industry.

Company Snapshot

Infosys is one of India’s largest and most recognized IT services companies, founded in 1981 and headquartered in Bengaluru. With more than 323,000 employees worldwide, the company provides consulting, technology, outsourcing, and digital transformation services across industries.

It operates in more than 50 countries, helping enterprises migrate to the cloud, adopt AI and automation, manage cybersecurity, and modernize legacy systems. Under Parekh, Infosys has deepened its focus on digital, cloud, and AI services, areas that now account for a significant share of revenues.

CEO’s Background

Salil Parekh was born on June 5, 1964, into a Gujarati family in India. A bright student with a penchant for engineering, he earned a B.Tech. in Aeronautical Engineering from IIT Bombay in 1986. He then moved to the U.S., where he completed dual Master of Engineering degrees in Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering at Cornell University.

Before joining Infosys, Parekh built a long career at Capgemini, where he rose to the Group Management Board and oversaw global business lines. His expertise in large-scale IT services, consulting, and digital transformation made him a natural fit when Infosys needed a steady and experienced leader.

Journey to CEO

Infosys had seen a period of instability after the departure of former CEO Vishal Sikka in 2017. Interim leadership kept the company afloat, but the board wanted someone with both credibility in the global market and experience handling large client transformations.

Parekh’s appointment in January 2018 marked a turning point. Bringing more than two decades of IT services experience, he immediately focused on restoring client confidence, aligning Infosys with fast-growing digital technologies, and stabilizing internal operations.

Leadership & Vision

Salil Parekh is known for his calm, pragmatic, and execution-focused leadership style. Rather than making sweeping, risky bets, he has prioritized steady growth and client-centric strategies.

Key elements of his vision include:

1. Digital-first growth: Driving revenue through AI, cloud, automation, and digital platforms.
2. Operational discipline: Focusing on delivery excellence and financial resilience.
3. Client partnerships: Positioning Infosys as a transformation partner, not just a service vendor.
4. Talent & reskilling: Expanding Infosys’s global workforce while reskilling employees in next-gen technologies.
5. Sustainable leadership: Building an organization that balances profitability with long-term client trust and employee development.

Impact & Achievements

1. Restored Stability: Under Parekh, Infosys regained its reputation for reliability after a period of boardroom turbulence.
2. Digital Transformation: Digital services have become a core revenue driver, helping Infosys stay competitive with global rivals.
3. Financial Success: Infosys’s revenues and margins have remained strong despite industry headwinds. Parekh himself became one of the highest-paid Indian IT leaders, earning around ₹80 crore (~USD 9.4 million) in FY 2025.
4. Industry Recognition: He has consistently ranked among top global CEOs in brand guardianship and leadership indexes.
5. Talent Growth: Infosys has expanded its workforce while investing in new skills, especially in AI and cloud.
6. Thought Leadership: As a member of The Business Council, Parekh also contributes to shaping the global IT industry agenda.

Salil Parekh’s tenure at Infosys shows that leadership doesn’t always need to be flashy to be effective. With a steady hand, client-first mindset, and clear focus on digital transformation, he has guided Infosys through uncertainty into a new era of growth. As global demand for AI, cloud, and next-gen IT services accelerates, Parekh’s pragmatic style may be exactly what Infosys needs to remain at the forefront of the industry.