Azim Premji, the man behind IT giant Wipro to call it a day. His elder son, Rishad Premji will succeed him as executive chairman of Wipro.
After giving Wipro 53 years, making it an IT heavyweight, Azim Premji announces his retirement. He will continue to serve on the board of directors and will continue to work as a philanthropist.
- Azim Premji to retire from Wipro’s Chief Executive post.
- Rishad Premji, his elder son, will be his successor.
- Premji will continue his work as a philanthropist and remain on board of directors of Wipro.
- He is the second richest man in India and has led Wipro’s evolution from vegetable oil company to a global IT firm.
Rishad Premji – The heir to the throne
Rishad Premji, the elder son of Azim Premji will replace his father as the next Chief executive. Rishad, 42, is currently the chief strategy officer and member of the board at Wipro. Rishad Premji graduated in economics from Wesleyan University and then pursued an MBA from Harvard University. Rishad worked with Bain and Co. for two years and four years with GE Capital in the US.

Rishad joined Wipro in 2007 as a business manager. In 2010, Rishad was promoted to the position of chief strategy officer. Rishad Premji was recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2014. Rishad is on the boards of Wipro Enterprises Ltd, Wipro-GE and Azim Premji Foundation. He was the person behind the $100 million startups fund, Wipro Ventures.
