In what is being seen by many as a succession plan, Rishad Premji, eldest son of Wipro [Get Quote] chairman Azim Premji, has joined the IT and FMCG major as a business development manager in a low-profile entry. "I have nothing to say. He (Rishad) joined yesterday (on Wednesday)," Azim Premji told reporters in response to questions. In a beam that did not go unnoticed, the 62-year-old Azim Premji said that Rishad had joined the company's finance solutions division, headed by Girish S Paranjpe.
Shareholders of the company at the annual general meeting gave their nod to the appointment of Rishad, an MBA from Harvard Business School who had a stint in firms such as General Electric and Bain and Company in the United Kingdom, a statutory requirement as he is a relative of a director in the firm.
Wipro, India's third largest software services exporter, in which Azim Premji holds about 81 per cent stake, had last month said Rishad would join the firm "at a level commensurate with his background and experience."
Billionaire Premji's second son Tariq works with the Azim Premji Foundation. Azim Premji had taken the mantle of Wipro in 1966 when he was only 21, discontinuing his studies after his father's sudden death.
Company officials said 30-year-old Rishad had expressed a strong desire to return to India. A company executive quoted Rishad as saying he was excited to join Wipro.
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