In the modern world that we live in, life is incomplete without technology. Laptops, mobile phones, tablets are all extensions of personal ourselves. And it’s no different in as far as running companies is concerned.
Such is the importance of a technological set up that companies – big and small – have dedicated entire departments to them, hiring top-notch experts as Chief Information Officers to guide them into the new tech-driven age.
Over the years, the role of the CIO has morphed from backroom IT employ to becoming strategic partners, taking a place alongside their C-suite peers, driving innovation and revenue-generation with their unique skill sets.
In this special feature, IMAGES Business of Fashion showcases the torchbearers of retail technology. This week, the spotlight is on Praveen Shrikhande, Chief Digital & Information Officer, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd.
About Praveen Shrikhande
Praveen Shrikhande has 30 years of experience in leading IT function in global companies.
He was elevated to the post of Chief Digital & Information Officer at Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd in December 2019, a post he holds till date, where is he responsible for Digital transformation initiatives and Information Technology.
Before this, he was Joint President at Aditya Birla Group from February 2016 to October 2018. As Joint President, he was responsible for technology integration and information security at the organization.
Prior to this, Shrikhande was Senior Vice President – IT with Sutherland (July 2011 to January 2016) and before that, Senior Vice President – IT with WNS Global Services (March 2004 to July 2011), where he led technology solutions design, applications development and project management.
He also held the posts of Senior Vice President at Asianet Satellite Communications (July 2002 to March 2004) where he was responsible for technology infrastructure and broadband internet services and CTO at Hathway Cable & Datacom Pvt. Ltd. (January 1998 – June 2002), where he pioneered the roll-out of Broadband internet Services over cable networks.
Moving from Strength to Strength
Shrikhande completed his education from IIT Mumbai (1984 – 1988) and has done his PGDM from IIM Bangalore (1990 – 1992).
At a press conference in 2022, he had said: “To stay ahead in today’s fast-changing fashion industry of an emerging India, it is important to spot and react with speed to changes in consumer preferences. ABFRL’s vision is to satisfy consumer needs in the fashion apparel and accessories market. Our digital transformation strategy aims to reimagine customer experiences across both online and offline channels.”
“Customers today expect the very best and completely seamless shopping experience from store to digital, and our partnership with technology companies like Algonomy will enable us in delivering on these expectations by personalizing across the digital channels, without any experience fragmentation,” he had stated.
