This is how Wipro is clearing the deck for its new heir

Much before the retirement of a CEO, the chairman or the company’s board chalk out succession plan in order to save the company from the downfall. This is what India's third largest software firm Wipro did. It appointed Abid Ali Neemuchwala, the former Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) BPO head, as its first ever chief operating officer (COO). The information was revealed in an Economic Times report.

With this announcement, the process of succession planning begins at Wipro as TK Kurien’s five-year-term as CEO will expire the next year.

Abid Ali Neemuchwala, who is the former head of TCS BPO, and energy and utilities chief Anand Padmanabhan were leading the race to be named Wipro's first COO. And Wipro picked Neemuchwala over Padmanabhan to lead the post.

"Abid brings invaluable experience with his track record of building and scaling businesses. I am confident his deep understanding of technology and expertise in all facets of IT & BPS businesses will help power our businesses to greater heights," Kurien told ET.

In his role, Abid will head the Service Lines of Global Infrastructure Services, Business Application Services, Business Process Services, and Advanced Technology Solutions. He will also head Business Operations; the geographies comprising Continental Europe, Africa, and LATAM; Strategic Engagements, Advisor Relationships as well as the Marketing function.

Earlier, another ET report had hinted at the creation of a COO position at the Bangalore-headquartered IT company to free up TK Kurien so that he could focus on technology vision and strategy.

Similar succession strategies were earlier adopted by other renowned IT firms. At the Mumbai-based TCS, N Chandrasekaran was appointed as the COO before he escalated to the post of CEO by replacing S Ramadorai. On the other hand at Infosys, S Gopalakrishnan replaced Nandan Nilekani to take over as CEO and SD Shibulal succeeded Gopalakrishnan, the leading business daily added.

ET first reported on Monday that Wipro will begin a process to identify and groom a successor to chief executive TK Kurien later this year, with Neemuchwala being considered for the position of chief operating officer a long with other internal and external candidates. (Image: Wipro)