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C Vijayakumar, widely known as CVK, serves as the CEO and Managing Director of HCLTech, a global technology powerhouse generating US$13.7 Billion in annual revenue. Leading a team of 218,000 professionals across 59 countries, he has revolutionized the way businesses adopt digital transformation, AI, IoT, and cybersecurity. His visionary strategies have positioned HCLTech as one of the fastest-growing companies in its industry, earning him prestigious recognition, including Business Today's 'Best CEO of the Year'.
Born on October 13, 1967, in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, C Vijayakumar exemplifies the journey of a visionary leader. A graduate of The Lawrence School, Ooty, and an electrical and electronics engineer from P.S.G. College of Technology, his passion for innovation was evident early on. As an R&D engineer at C-DoT, he played a key role in advancing indigenous satellite communication technology. Now residing in New Jersey with his wife Vanitha and daughter Divya, he leads HCLTech with exceptional foresight, steering the company toward global success.
He joined HCLTech in 1994 as a software engineer working in the founding team of Comnet, one of the early startups in the organization. His rise through the ranks is truly inspiring. In July 2016, he was named Chief Operating Officer, putting him on a path of further leadership. He has held various important positions over the period-a President of Infrastructure Services Division and Head of Banking, Financial Services and Insurance. These achievements highlight his expertise in various fields.
Under the visionary leadership of CEO C. Vijayakumar, HCL Technologies has quickly adapted to the dynamic world of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI). Aided by these bold investments and rollouts of strategic initiatives, the company aims to sharpen its services and fuel its growth with the help of AI. The key AI-driven initiatives by HCL Technologies are listed below:
Enterprise AI: HCL Tech is building enterprise AI solutions based on nearly a decade's worth of experience in AI engineering, data analytics, and value chain transformation. Their services include service, value chain, and technology transformations, guiding clients from the conception to large-scale deployment, unlocking business value through AI-driven innovation.
AI/GenAI Partner Ecosystem: HCLTech's AI/GenAI partner ecosystem includes leading technology OEMs, hyperscalers, semiconductor firms, and AI innovators. These strategic partnerships enable HCLTech to offer seamless, scalable, and future-proof AI solutions that align with the existing infrastructures of its customers, driving transformative business outcomes while helping organizations scale their AI ambitions.
AI Labs: In November 2024, HCLTech and ServiceNow announced a new AI Lab at HCLTech's Noida campus, growing the network of global AI & Cloud Native Lab. Through this facility, customers can pilot and scale solutions for industry-specific challenges, propelling GenAI adoption. This facility supports ServiceNow's platform through the use of ValueNow, ComplyNow, and AchieveNow.
HCLTech AI Force™ extension: HCLTech is extending its AI Force with GitHub Copilot to automate and augment software development workflows, improve the performance of code, and overall optimize engineering throughout DevOps, modernizing legacy systems, as well as continuous feedback, boosting productivity and reducing technical debt all while improving it. This extension is available for download from Visual Studio Marketplace.
HCL and Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB): HCLTech, in association with the Singapore Economic Development Board, announced an AI/Cloud Native Lab in Singapore, slated to be opened in 2025. This shall be the company's fifth global lab, assisting in accelerating AI adoption and talent development in collaboration with local institutions such as Nanyang Polytechnic.
AI Upskilling: HCLTech partnered with Multiverse in October 2024, to launch an advanced AI Transformation academy in the UK that would try to upskill its workforce in AI and Gen AI. This 13-month program is more focused on business value and ethical aspects of AI in tune with what HCLTech aims to train 50,000 employees in GenAI by 2025.
AI PC Platforms: Intel Core Ultra processor enabled HCLTech to enter the AI PC platforms market with AI-driven digital workplace solutions. HCLTech's integration of AI operations directly on endpoint devices will enhance performance, reduce latency, and boost security, allowing for faster interactions, improved privacy, and seamless AI deployments in healthcare, retail, and banking sectors.
Integrating GenAI capabilities: HCLTech has integrated various solutions of its suite of Salesforce-based solutions to help industries unlock their GenAI capabilities. These include HCLTech InFusion for Energy, Financial Services, Healthcare, and Case Management. Optimize resources, streamline operations, and enhanced decision-making drive transformation and business growth.
C Vijayakumar raised the bar in FY23-24, as a CEO of HCL Tech, at an all-time high with earnings of ₹84.16 crore ($10.06 million), a remarkable leap of 190.75% from the previous year's compensation. Base salary payments totalled ₹16.39 crore, performance bonuses ₹9.53 crore, and long-term incentive stock units resulted in ₹38.15 crore. With earnings 707 times HCLTech's median employee salary, Vijayakumar's leadership steered the company to $13.3 billion in revenue, driving exceptional growth in AI, cloud, and cybersecurity.
C Vijayakumar, during his almost three-decade journey with HCLTech, exemplifies visionary leadership and transformational impact. As part of the core team, he spearheaded India's first fully automated trading network at the National Stock Exchange. He has led the Remote Infrastructure Management proposition, now a multi-billion-dollar global industry.
Under his leadership as CEO & MD, HCLTech has exploited the exponentials of disruptive technologies such as AI, IoT, Cloud and Cybersecurity to achieve exponential growth in becoming one of the fastest-growing companies in its sector. An ESG champion, his efforts have brought HCLTech recognition in MSCI ESG Ratings and Sustainalytics' Top-Rated ESG list. Vijay's strategic foresight has also driven the success of HCLTech's portfolio of products and platforms run into billions.
Under CEO C. Vijayakumar, HCL Technologies has managed several controversies ranging from policy changes and legal battles to allegations of involvement in the phone-hacking scandal and software faults in high profile cases.
Bonus Controversy: HCL Tech has rescinded a contentious policy that demanded employees to return their performance bonuses (EPB) after getting flak for it. The amendment of the controversial clause follows allegations of legal action from former employees, although another such clause still exists in the updated HR policy.
Copyright Infringement Lawsuit: HCL Technologies is under a copyright infringement lawsuit against Atos, which seeks $132 million in damages. HCL's claims were partially granted and partly rejected by a U.S. court in response to Atos's motion to dismiss. The case arises from allegations that Atos has improperly used HCL's acquired software products from IBM.
Phone-Hacking Scandal: HCL Technologies came under the scanner about its association with Rupert Murdoch's News International when questions were raised about a possible involvement in the phone-hacking scandal. The company was questioned for the role and association it has with News International, following allegations related to the controversial practices in this media group.
737 Max Software Fault Controversy: Engineering faults in the Boeing 737 Max software were blamed on some engineers belonging to Indian firms HCL and Cyient for the alleged Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines plane crashes. These companies and Boeing, however, denied the allegations, stating that these engineers were not involved in the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS).
Data Destruction Controversy: HCL Technologies denied charges that it had destroyed, news group News International's emails. The allegations were made during a perjury trial, but they were soon proved to be baseless when it came out that the emails were in a warehouse in London, not in HCL's Chennai office.
