Microsoft India President Anant Maheshwari Steps Down

Microsoft India president Anant Maheshwari has resigned from his position after serving the company for almost seven years.

Confirming the development to Inc42, a Microsoft spokesperson said, “Anant has decided to leave Microsoft to pursue a role outside the company. We would like to thank Anant for his many contributions to our business and culture in India.”

The development was first reported by the Economic Times.

Maheshwari joined Microsoft in 2016. Before joining the tech giant, he was associated with names like Honeywell and McKinsey & Company. Maheshwari is also an independent board member & director at Aditya Birla Group and chairperson of NASSCOM.

Maheshwari’s departure follows the exodus of top-level executives at tech companies including Meta, Amazon, and Google, along with tech startups like Zomato, Nykaa, and Swiggy, among others.

Last month, Puneet Chandok, the president of commercial business at Amazon Web Services (AWS), India and South Asia, stepped down from his position. Close on the heels was the exit of Realme India’s vice-president and CEO, Madhav Sheth.

Meanwhile, there are reports that Chandok might be headed to Microsoft India. There is also a rejig happening at the executive level in the company.

As per the ET report, Microsoft’s COO Irina Ghose has been promoted to the position of MD, while Indian MD Sashi Sreedharan has been elevated to a higher role. 

Meanwhile, Navtej Bal, former director of the public sector at Microsoft India, has been elevated as the COO. Venkat Krishnan, who headed partnerships, has been promoted to executive director of public sector business.

Earlier this year, Microsoft laid off several employees at its India Development Centres and research and development divisions in Hyderabad and Bengaluru.