CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (CIO), ICI INDIA LIMITED. July 1998 to July 2000:

Top management responsibility for the Information Technology and Knowledge Management activities at ICI India Ltd. ICI India is a large speciality chemicals multinational in India with a turnover of Rs. 1000 crores.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, was responsible for Information Technology & Management Information Systems Functions across all Group Companies as well as all Divisions of the company. With a divisionalised structure and a lean head office function, the company sought to make a quantum leap in its internal use of information technology. Board commitment to the transformation of the business through the deployment of leading edge solutions was high. Had been able to influence the Board where IT was seen as a powerful cost saving and productivity enhancing tool


Role relating to Information Systems covered understanding how the business currently runs and how technology can improve and be applied to solve problems and improve operations so that IT is used to make better decisions and manage the business:-

  • Have been the architect/evangelist responsible for assimilating all tactical and strategic direction from the Divisions, industry trends, and customer requirements into cohesive roadmaps and clear technology directions. This includes planning & policy issues, data resource management, applications resource management, and technology resource management.

  • Developing Group wide strategic, operational and tactical plans for ensuring alignment of IT with overall business strategies, recognising the use of IT as a strategic business tool, and providing leadership and vision for the effective integration and delivery of business information services.

  • Developing detailed blueprints for the implementation of the IT initiative dovetailed with the HR, OD or other Change initiatives simultaneously being implemented,

  • IT enabled re-engineering of business processes throughout the group companies

  • Evaluation, selection and implementation of ERP/MRP packages which included international packages such as SAP R/3, Oracle, BPCS, BaaN, MfgPro, Avalon etc. and local products such as Ramco Marshal & Mamis, under different environments like C, C++, Visual Basic, HTML, Java, Interdev, Oracle, MS-SQL, DB2, OS/400, UNIX, and Windows NT.

  • Unparalleled understanding of when and where to leverage out-source partnerships and the experience of successfully managing such partnerships. Clinching the best deals for the organisation in the procurement of products and services while managing a multi crore IT budget. Work with outside vendors (the 'best of breed' of today's technology leaders like Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, Hewlett Packard, Dell, Bay Networks, Lotus Domino, and more), to schedule and implement system upgrades and/or enhancements

  • Enterprise wide communication solutions including VSATs, Leased lines and Dial up facilities. Responsible for advancing shared information architecture throughout the organisation. Familiarity with current standards in network and desktop hardware and software, file/print services, messaging / GroupWare, and LAN/WAN management systems for complex enterprise networks and large centres of geographically diverse computing resources. Responsibilities include network architecture and design, building high availability, high reliability systems that include mirroring and redundancy, implementing System and Network security tools and procedures. Knowledge and experience with SSL, encryption, Firewalls, Routers, as well as convergence of data and voice technologies. Involvement in upgrading of networks, remote access, business recovery plans and imaging/document management.

  • Outsourcing development of a web-based dot-com solution Designing and developing Electronic Commerce, EDI, Internet, Extranet and Intranet based enterprise-wide strategies and architectures. Planning, designing and guiding the secure development of external and internal network computing environments, architecture and infrastructure (web, firewalls, etc.) including secure remote access infrastructure, including dial-in and dedicated communications with business partners. Providing web and application hosting services as well as eCommerce solutions to driving mission critical 24 x 7 delivery of a vertical Internet business-to-business web hosting service

  • Strong & large scale contract management, project management and vendor management experience for ERP implementation while ensuring day-to-day operations of computer facilities and networks through proper interfacing with service providers.

  • Member of the senior executive management team with a demonstrated ability to use benefits of IT to solve business issues while also managing costs and risks. Managed a budget of Rs.100 million, and motivated and directed more than 30 professionals. Demonstrated skill as an exceptional communicator and team player who thrives in a collaborative, values-based environment.

  • Have been responsible for internal consulting and strategic development projects. facilitating business unit efforts to develop business plans and strategies, leading cross-functional teams to rationalise and improve processes. Other responsibilities included acting as member of IT steering committee of all the Divisions.

  • Leading the group through a transition from the current systems & operations to an environment where IT plays a mission critical role.

Responsibilities include: 

Responsibilities included technology, architecture, and application development. Major functions included the development of multiple applications in various platforms in a client-server and web-based environment, and establishing the technology direction company-wide. Tracked record of success in design, development, and large-scale technology implementation.