Board of
Directors

Lakshmi is a global techno-commercial leader across regions and industries recognised for developing scalable businesses in UK, Europe, Japan and India, and has worked across the globe.

An over 35 years Tata Group veteran, engineering graduate from BITS, Pilani, and London Business School senior executive programme alumnus, Lakshmi is an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) long-standing member. Lakshmi is the Managing Director & CEO of Tata Communications Limited since November 2019. Since joining Tata Communications, Lakshmi has re-engineered and steered the Company to delivering strong profitability. Under Lakshmi’s leadership Tata Communications is progressing to play a solid role as a Global Com-Tech Player focusing on platform play, financial fitness, commitments on sustainability, innovation and AI.

He also serves on the Board of Nelco Limited, Tata Teleservices Limited and Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited.

Prior to joining Tata Communications, Lakshmi was President and CEO of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Japan accelerating its market opportunity and brand in the region. Other leadership positions he has held within TCS include, Global Head of four business units (Telecom, Media & Information Services, HiTech and Utilities), and Head of UK & Europe.

He is known to drive all things, technology, and transformation, with trust and purpose being central.

Harjit is the Managing Director of Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Ltd. and Tata Teleservices Limited (together TTL) and is responsible for the growth and expansion of the company as a leading digital solutions provider in the MSME space. TTL offers a comprehensive portfolio of voice, data and managed services to enterprises and carriers in the country under the brand name Tata Tele Business Services (TTBS).

India’s bright future is getting shaped by digitally fueled Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). TTL is striving to democratize digital technologies amongst the MSMEs in the country, empowering them to become future ready and Do Big in their respective business categories. Under Harjit’s leadership, the company has made significant progress in becoming an innovative, customer-centric, growth focused and agile digital services entity.

Harjit is an Officer of the ’96 batch of the Tata Administrative Services and has been associated with several companies in the group such as Tata Housing, Tata AutoComp Systems, Tata Communications and Neotel before joining TTL in 2012. Harjit has close to three decades of experience in P&L Management, Corporate Strategy & Planning, M&A, Business Development and Operations in Domestic and International markets and has been instrumental in leading businesses on their journey to true potential and scale.

His academics include a PGDM in Finance and Operations from IIM Ahmedabad and a BE – Mech. from IIT Roorkee.

Harjit is an avid golfer and likes experimenting with new cuisines while travelling and embracing different cultures.

Dr. Vaijayanti Pandit, serves as an Independent Director, Auto, Energy Jewellery & Technology companies such as I G Petrochemicals ltd. Everest Kanto Cylinders Ltd, P. N. Gadgil Jewellers Ltd, Tata Motors Insurance Broking and Advisory Services Ltd (TMIBASL) Tata Motors Global Services Ltd and Jaro Institute of Technology Management and Research Ltd among others.

FICCI: She headed Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) West as Senior Director from 2006-2012. FICCI is India’s leading apex industry body with domestic and overseas offices. She possesses sectoral expertise in Gems and Jewellery, Wellness, Technical Textiles, Sustainability, Nutraceuticals, Brand Protection, Design, and Maharashtra state issues. Her work included Influencing policy change, researching trends, tracking new sectors, liaising with central and state governments for projects, building up conferences and buyer- seller meets, mounting business delegations abroad, corporate communications and media relations.

Indian Merchants’ Chamber (IMC): Dr. Pandit was associated with Indian Merchants’ Chamber in a senior position and handled Trade Fairs and International Trade Missions by travelling to over 40 countries to promote business partnerships. She has been instrumental in building up a vibrant organization of women entrepreneurs, managers, professionals that has grown exponentially as the largest in India.

Education: Dr. Pandit has earned a PhD in “Women Entrepreneurship Development” from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, has a master’s degree in Political Science and topped the Pune University in Political Science. She also has a Diploma in Journalism with silver medals in Writing and Reporting and a Diploma in Yoga from the University of Mumbai.

Dr. Pandit was commissioned by International Labour Organization (ILO) to spearhead Gender Empowerment projects which led her to author “Business Home” published by Vikas Publishing House. It profiles 45 success stories of home-based women entrepreneurs. She has authored Everyday Yoga published by Himalaya Publishing House which is targeted at busy executives and achievers to stay fit and healthy. Life Blooms@70 by BFC Publications is tribute paid to her by industry leaders, professionals and friends. All the publications are available on Amazon.com

Awards & Recognitions: Recipient of the Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar for outstanding research in Women Entrepreneurship. Gold Medal in Table Tennis.in 1973. Butic Kartutva Shalini Puraskar 2018. Recipient of Zee Media “Unch Maza Zoka Puraskar 2022” for Corporate CSR.

Mr. Ramanathan brings in over 25+ years of marketing experience from the leadership roles he has played across various companies like Pepsi, Vodafone, and Positive Integers. Mr. Ramanathan is a Founder of Positive Integers Private Limited, a decision science company, and has been spearheading the Company since its inception.

At present, Mr. Ramanathan is CEO of Positive Integers. Prior to this, he was holding the position of Director – Analytics and Commercial, Vodafone AMEAP region and Chief Marketing Officer, Vodafone India Limited. Prior to that, he was the Unit Manager, Pepsico India Holdings.

Mr. Ramanathan has a master’s degree in Commerce from the Delhi School of Economics and a management degree from IIM, Ahmedabad.

Mr. Ramanathan also serves on the Board of Varthana Finance Private Limited, Tata Communications Payment Solutions Limited, Positive Integers Private Limited, Tata Communications Transformation Services Limited and Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited.

Mr. Ankur Verma, a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering and PGDM from IIM, Calcutta has around 25 years of experience in Investment Banking, Capital Markets and Corporate Strategy.

At present, Mr. Verma is Group Chief Strategy Officer at Tata Sons Private Limited, where he has responsibilities in strategy, corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions. Previously, he was Managing Director (Investment Banking Division) in Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and also Group Manager & Head, Business Planning in Infosys Technologies Limited – Corporate Planning Group.

He currently serves on the boards of several Tata group companies.