Sridhar Vembu Resigns as the CEO of the software firm. He wrote on X that he would focus on research and development as the ‘Chief Scientist’ of the company. He announced his new role as the Chief Scientist of Zoho Corporation, a position where he would be primarily responsible for leading deep R&D initiatives.
This transition was also in line with his personal mission of rural development and sustainable growth. Vembu stated his decision to step down was driven by the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI) and the need for Zoho to focus on long-term innovations that would help the company navigate future technological challenges.
Sridhar Vembu Resigns: So Who is The New CEO of Zoho
Shailesh Kumar Davey is the new CEO of ZOHO. Shailesh Kumar Davey has played a crucial role in Zoho’s engineering processes and has a solid background in network projects from his time at Tata-IBM, Prior to being appointed as Zoho’s new CEO, Davey served as the vice president of engineering at ManageEngine, the IT management division of Zoho Corporation.
Who is Shailesh Kumar Davey?
Shailesh Kumar Davey, was a co-founder of Zoho Corp alongside Sridhar Vembu, earned his Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree in metallurgy from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in 1992. Metallurgy is the field focused on the science and technology of metals, including their production and purification.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Davey also holds a Master of Technology (MTech) in Industrial Management from IIT Madras. He also runs an in-house university called Zoho University, which upskills students fresh out of school. His firm absorbs many of these students.
Zoho Corporation Growth Under Sridhar Vembu
Under Vembu’s leadership, Zoho Corporation emerged as one of the most successful privately owned companies in India, with a valuation of $5.93 billion as of December 2022. The company’s growth was fueled by a robust product portfolio, which includes cloud-based business solutions for CRM, finance, HR, marketing, and collaboration. These tools have made Zoho a staple for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) globally.
Leadership Transition at Zoho
In 2023, Vembu announced a leadership transition at Zoho Corporation, with Shailesh Kumar Davey taking over as the new Group CEO. Alongside this change, other senior leaders took on prominent roles in the company, including Tony Thomas leading Zoho US, Rajesh Ganesan heading the ManageEngine division, and Mani Vembu leading the Zoho.com division. This restructuring reflects Zoho’s focus on further expanding its global reach while ensuring continuity and growth across its various divisions.
Despite his new role, Vembu remains a key figure in Zoho’s long-term strategy, contributing to both its technological advancements and its commitment to social impact. Through his work at Zoho, his focus on rural development, and his leadership in the tech industry, Vembu has left an indelible mark on India’s technology sector. His journey from a small village in Tamil Nadu to becoming one of the most influential tech entrepreneurs in India is an inspiring tale of innovation, determination, and a commitment to social good.
Conclusion
Sridhar Vembu’s transition from CEO to Chief Scientist marks a new phase in Zoho’s evolution, with a stronger focus on research and development as well as sustainable growth. As Zoho continues to thrive under new leadership, Vembu’s legacy will undoubtedly shape the future of both the tech industry and India’s rural economy. If you’re planning a leadership change, like adding or removing a director, contact Vakilsearch. Our expert team can help ensure smooth compliance.
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