Microsoft India Appoints Ex-AWS India Head Puneet Chandok As Corporate VP

SUMMARY

Microsoft said Puneet Chandok would assume the operational responsibilities from Anant Maheshwari effective September 1, 2023

Maheshwari resigned from his position as Indian President in July, while Chandok resigned as the president of commercial business at AWS India and South Asia in June

Besides AWS, Chandok was also in leadership roles at McKinsey & Co. and IBM Global Services earlier

Tech giant Microsoft on Tuesday announced the appointment of former Amazon Web Services (AWS) India head Puneet Chandok as corporate vice president of Microsoft India and South Asia.

The US-based software giant said in a blog post that Chandok would assume the operational responsibilities from Anant Maheshwari effective September 1, 2023.

Former Microsoft India president Maheshwari resigned from his position in July after serving the company for almost seven years. Meanwhile, Chandok resigned as the president of commercial business at AWS India and South Asia in June this year.

Microsoft said that Puneet would oversee the integration of Microsoft’s businesses across South Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, further boosting the company’s presence in the region.

He would also help deepen the company’s focus on key industries, with generative AI at its core.

“Puneet has a strong track record of building and growing technology businesses and leveraging technology to deliver impact and change. As we embrace an AI-led future, Puneet’s leadership will play a vital role in ensuring Microsoft’s ongoing success in South Asia,” said Ahmed Mazhari, president Microsoft Asia.

Besides AWS, Chandok previously held leadership roles at McKinsey & Co. and IBM Global Services. As a partner for McKinsey, he led relationships with enterprise clients, technology providers, and private equity firms.

He holds a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from the Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta.

Microsoft said Puneet’s appointment comes at a time when the company is continuously expanding its presence in cloud technology and digital innovation in the country.

“As India expands its own digital public infrastructure, I believe that this mission is more relevant here than ever before,” said Chandok, commenting on his appointment.

Microsoft entities in India have over 20,000 employees across 10 Indian cities – Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, New Delhi, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Noida, and Pune.

In January this year, Microsoft laid off several employees at its India Development Centres in Hyderabad and Bengaluru as part of a global restructuring exercise.