Salil Parekh

Salil Parekh
Born	5 6, 1964
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Infosys
Known for	CEO of Infosys; former Deputy CEO of Capgemini
Spouse(s)	Shaleen S. Parekh
Website	[https://www.infosys.com/about/management-profiles/salil-parekh.html Official site]

Salil Parekh (born 5 June 1964) is an Indian business executive who serves as the chief executive officer and managing director of Infosys, one of India's largest information technology services companies. He assumed the role on 2 January 2018, succeeding interim CEO U. B. Pravin Rao during a period of significant leadership transition at the firm. Prior to joining Infosys, Parekh spent over two decades at the French multinational technology and consulting firm Capgemini, where he rose to the position of deputy CEO and played a central role in building the company's India operations. His appointment at Infosys came at a critical juncture for the company, following a public dispute between co-founder Narayana Murthy and the previous board, and was seen as an effort to stabilize the organization and chart a new strategic direction. Under Parekh's leadership, Infosys has increasingly oriented its strategy around artificial intelligence and digital services. Parekh is a member of The Business Council.

Early Life

Salil Parekh was born on 5 June 1964. He is of Gujarati origin. His mother is Kokila S. Parekh. Details regarding his early childhood and upbringing are not widely documented in available public sources, but his Gujarati background was noted in Indian media coverage at the time of his appointment as Infosys CEO.

Education

Parekh completed his undergraduate studies at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), where he earned a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree. He subsequently pursued graduate studies in the United States, obtaining a Master of Science (MS) degree from Cornell University. His dual academic background in engineering from one of India's premier technical institutions and a graduate degree from an Ivy League university provided a foundation for a career at the intersection of technology and business management.

Career

Capgemini (1990s–2017)

Before his tenure at Infosys, Salil Parekh spent more than two decades at Capgemini, the Paris-based multinational information technology services and consulting company. During his time at the firm, Parekh played what The Economic Times described as "a pivotal role in building Capgemini's India operations." His responsibilities at Capgemini encompassed a broad range of leadership positions across the company's global operations, and he was instrumental in scaling the company's offshore delivery capabilities in India.

Parekh eventually rose to the position of deputy CEO at Capgemini, one of the most senior leadership roles within the organization. In this capacity, he oversaw significant portions of Capgemini's global business, gaining extensive experience in managing large-scale technology consulting and outsourcing operations across multiple geographies. His tenure at Capgemini provided him with deep expertise in the European technology services market, which complemented the predominantly North American focus of many Indian IT services firms.

His long career at Capgemini, culminating in the deputy CEO position, established Parekh as a prominent figure in the global technology services industry and made him a candidate for top leadership roles at other major firms.

Appointment as CEO of Infosys (2017–2018)

On 2 December 2017, the Infosys board of directors announced the appointment of Salil Parekh as the company's CEO and managing director, effective 2 January 2018. The appointment came during a turbulent period for Infosys. The company had experienced significant boardroom upheaval in the preceding months, driven in large part by a public dispute between co-founder Narayana Murthy and the company's then-board of directors and management. Murthy had raised concerns about corporate governance practices, executive compensation, and certain large acquisitions, which ultimately led to the resignation of then-CEO Vishal Sikka in August 2017.

U. B. Pravin Rao served as interim CEO following Sikka's departure while the board conducted a search for a permanent successor. The selection of Parekh, an outsider with no prior connection to Infosys or its founding team, was seen by industry observers as an effort to bring in a seasoned leader who could stabilize the company, rebuild investor confidence, and navigate the complex dynamics between the board and the founders.

Fortune reported on the appointment in the context of both the company's internal challenges and the broader geopolitical landscape, noting the pressures facing Indian IT companies from changes in US immigration policy and the shifting nature of the technology services industry. Parekh's extensive global experience, particularly his background in the European market through Capgemini, was viewed as an asset as Infosys sought to diversify its geographic revenue base and reduce dependence on the US market.

Leadership at Infosys (2018–present)

Early Tenure and Stabilization

Upon assuming the CEO role in January 2018, Parekh faced the immediate task of restoring stability to Infosys after the leadership turbulence of the preceding year. He undertook a strategic review of the company's operations and articulated a renewed focus on digital transformation services, cloud computing, and automation—areas that were becoming increasingly central to the global technology services industry.

Whistleblower Allegations (2019)

In October 2019, Infosys was confronted with whistleblower complaints that alleged financial irregularities and questioned certain practices of senior management, including Parekh. The allegations, which were reported by multiple international media outlets, accused senior executives of engaging in practices aimed at inflating short-term revenue and profits.

CNN reported that the US Securities and Exchange Commission was informed of the complaints, given that Infosys is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The company's stock price experienced volatility in the immediate aftermath of the disclosures. Infosys initiated an internal investigation, conducted under the supervision of the audit committee of the board, with support from independent external legal counsel.

In January 2020, The Economic Times reported that the Infosys internal audit found no merit in the whistleblower allegations of wrongdoing. The investigation cleared Parekh and other senior executives of the allegations. The resolution of the whistleblower episode allowed the company to refocus on its business strategy and operations.

AI Strategy and Digital Transformation

Under Parekh's leadership, Infosys has increasingly positioned artificial intelligence as a central pillar of its business strategy. By February 2026, AI-related services accounted for 5.5% of Infosys's quarterly revenue, a figure that the company described as reflecting a shift from pilot projects to scaled commercial engagements.

In February 2026, Parekh identified six specific areas within AI services that he projected could unlock a market opportunity of $300 billion to $400 billion by 2030. The company also announced a partnership with Anthropic, the artificial intelligence safety company, as part of its broader AI strategy. This partnership was announced shortly after a broader selloff in Indian IT stocks driven by investor concerns that AI tools could disrupt the traditional IT services business model.

Parekh has addressed concerns about AI's impact on the technology services workforce and the broader industry. In February 2026, he stated that AI would not lead to an overnight replacement of software engineers, particularly in large enterprise environments, suggesting instead that roles would evolve and adapt. "It is not that overnight everything is going to be replaced," Parekh said, referring to the impact of AI tools on engineering roles within large companies.

He also defended the durability of the global technology services industry, noting that the $1.5 trillion sector "is still standing" despite AI compressing some areas of traditional business.

Infosys held its AI Day 2026 at its headquarters in Bengaluru, where Parekh, alongside Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, outlined the company's AI strategy and key themes for the future direction of the company's AI-related initiatives.

US Immigration and Workforce Issues

In early 2026, reports circulated on social media and in some media outlets alleging that an Infosys employee had been apprehended or deported by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Parekh publicly addressed these claims, clarifying that "no Infosys employee was apprehended by any US authority," denying any detainment or deportation of the company's personnel. The incident highlighted the ongoing sensitivity around US immigration policy as it relates to Indian IT services companies, which rely significantly on work visa programs to deploy employees in the United States.

Personal Life

Salil Parekh is married to Shaleen S. Parekh. He is of Gujarati descent. Beyond these publicly documented facts, Parekh has maintained a relatively private personal life, and limited additional information about his family or personal interests is available in published sources.

Recognition

Parekh is a member of The Business Council, an organization that comprises chief executives and other senior leaders of major corporations. His appointment as CEO of Infosys itself represented a significant milestone, as Infosys is one of the largest and most prominent technology companies in India, with a significant global footprint and a listing on both the Bombay Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.

His handling of the 2019 whistleblower crisis, which concluded with an internal investigation that found no merit to the allegations, and his subsequent steering of the company's strategy toward AI and digital services have been noted in business media coverage. The company's Infosys AI Day 2026 event, which featured Parekh alongside co-founder Nandan Nilekani, reflected his role in shaping the strategic narrative of one of India's largest IT companies during a period of significant technological change.