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1. Increased Demand for Tech Talent

Tech Skills: Companies are actively seeking candidates with strong technical skills, including programming, data analysis, and cybersecurity.

Remote Work: The rise of remote work has increased the demand for tech talent from various locations.

2. Focus on Soft Skills

Communication: Effective communication skills are highly valued, especially in remote work environments.

Problem-Solving: The ability to think critically and solve problems creatively is essential.

Adaptability: Candidates who can adapt to change and learn new skills quickly are in high demand.

3. Prioritization of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Diverse Workforces: Companies are increasingly recognizing the importance of building diverse workforces to foster innovation and creativity.

Inclusive Cultures: Creating inclusive work environments where everyone feels valued and respected is a priority.

4. Skill-Based Hiring

Focus on Skills: Employers are shifting away from traditional degree requirements and focusing on skills-based hiring.

Certifications: Certifications in specific areas can be valuable for demonstrating expertise.

5. Emphasis on Work-Life Balance

Flexible Work Arrangements: Companies are offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work, hybrid work, and flexible hours, to ​attract and retain top talent.

Well-being Benefits: Providing benefits that support employee well-being, such as mental health resources and wellness programs, is ​becoming more common.

6. Green Jobs

Sustainability: As the focus on sustainability grows, there is increasing demand for professionals in green jobs, such as renewable energy and ​environmental consulting.

Recent CEO appointments

The recent wave of CEO appointments across various industries reflects a number of significant trends. First, succession planning appears to be a top ​priority for many companies. As experienced leaders retire or transition to new roles, organizations are actively seeking qualified successors to ​maintain continuity and drive future growth.

Second, the appointments highlight a growing emphasis on digital transformation. Many of the newly appointed CEOs have strong backgrounds in ​technology or digital strategy, suggesting that companies are prioritizing innovation and adapting to the changing technological landscape.

Third, the CEO changes also reflect a focus on global expansion. Several of the appointments involve individuals with extensive international ​experience, indicating that companies are seeking leaders who can navigate complex global markets and drive growth beyond their domestic ​boundaries. Source :www.peoplematters.in

Notable appointments

• Sify Technologies Appoints Sharad Agarwal as CEO of Sify Infinit Spaces Limited
  
• Cognizant appoints Infosys' Rajesh Varrier as global head of operations and C&MD India
  
• Vedanta Aluminium appoints Fabio Martins as CEO, Billets product group
  

• Nestle appoints Laurent Freixe as new CEO, succeeding Mark Schneider
  
• Expleo Solutions Limited Appoints Phani Tangirala as New Managing Director & CEO
  
• NASSCOM Appoints Rajesh Nambiar as President Designate
  
• UNO Minda appoints Ramesh KS as new CEO of ECS-2 domain
  
• RBI Appoints Sukumaran Nair as CEO of Tamilnad Mercantile Bank
  
• Blackstone appoints new CEO for real estate income trust
  
• Kodiak Technologies appoints new CEO
  

Source :www.peoplematters.in

Laurent Freixe named CEO of Nestlé, succeeding Mark Schneider

Nestlé has announced the appointment of Laurent Freixe as its new Chief Executive Officer. Freixe, currently serving as Executive Vice President and ​CEO of Nestlé’s Zone Latin America (LATAM), will succeed Mark Schneider, who has decided to step down after eight years at the helm of the global ​food and beverage giant. In addition to his new role, Freixe has been nominated for a seat on the Board of Directors, with his candidacy to be ​considered at the company’s 2025 Annual General Meeting. Mark Schneider’s tenure as CEO has been marked by significant portfolio ​transformations and a strong focus on sustainability, positioning Nestlé as a leader in both innovation and responsible business practices. Schneider ​expressed his gratitude for his time at Nestlé, stating, “Leading Nestlé has been an honor. Together, we have transformed the company into a future-​proofed, innovative, and sustainable business.” Laurent Freixe brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having been with Nestlé since 1986. Over ​his nearly four-decade career, he has held numerous key positions, managing some of the company’s most important regions and driving growth in ​challenging environments. His leadership of Zone Europe during the 2008 financial crisis and his successful tenure as CEO of Zone Americas are ​particularly noteworthy. Since 2022, Freixe has led Nestlé’s LATAM Zone, where he navigated complex market conditions to deliver strong results.

Paul Bulcke, Chairman of the Board of Directors, expressed confidence in Freixe’s leadership, stating, “Laurent is the perfect fit for Nestlé at this ​time. Under his leadership, we are confident that Nestlé will continue to deliver consistent and sustainable value creation.”

Freixe himself acknowledged the challenges ahead but emphasized Nestlé’s unique strengths: “I am excited to take on this responsibility. With our ​iconic brands, unmatched global presence, and exceptional teams, we are well-positioned to lead and win in every market.”

As the company transitions to new leadership, Nestlé’s commitment to sustainable growth and innovation remains at the forefront, ensuring that it ​continues to set the standard in the global food and beverage industry. Source :www.peoplematters.in

GE Power India's MD Prashant Jain resigns, Puneet Bhatla announced successor

GE Power India Ltd (GPIL) Managing Director Prashant Jain stepped down. Jain has been serving in this role since April 2019. The board accepted ​Jain's resignation. The company immediately announced the appointment of Puneet Bhatla as Additional Director and Managing Director, who will ​take over on September 1. According to an exchange filing, Bhatla will serve in this role till June 30, 2027.

"The board in its meeting held today...accepted resignation of Prashant Jain from the position of Managing Director with effect from close of ​business hours of 31 August 2024," it added. GE is an energy player in the country with strong capabilities in engineering, manufacturing, project ​management, and supply of products and solutions for power generation and transmission infrastructure requirements. Source ​:www.peoplematters.in

Cognizant appoints Rajesh Varrier as Global Head of Operations, Chairman & MD of India

Cognizant has announced the appointment of Rajesh Varrier as its new Global Head of Operations, effective September 2, 2024. Varrier will assume ​the role of Chairman & Managing Director, India, starting October 1, 2024, as Rajesh Nambiar leaves the company to take up the position of ​President of NASSCOM.

Varrier, who will be based in Bangalore, will report directly to Ravi Kumar S, Cognizant's Chief Executive Officer.

"Rajesh Varrier is a respected, experienced executive whose operational rigor and entrepreneurial spirit align well with Cognizant. This role is a ​natural orchestration point for our India-based operations," said Ravi Kumar S, CEO of Cognizant.

"His leadership will be pivotal as we continue to drive operational excellence and company transformation." Varrier’s new responsibilities will ​include overseeing operations, Delivery Excellence, workforce planning, and leading the India Leadership Council. He will also focus on expanding ​Cognizant's presence in India and executing the company’s growth plans. Expressing his enthusiasm, Varrier said, "I’m thrilled to help accelerate ​Cognizant’s growth journey and look forward to working with the amazing team the company has in place in India and globally. Rajesh Nambiar, ​who will be stepping down at the end of September, expressed his pride in the achievements of Cognizant India and his excitement about his new ​role at NASSCOM. "Cognizant will always have a special place in my heart. I am honored to contribute to the industry's transformation as the ​incoming President of NASSCOM," Nambiar stated. Before joining Cognizant, Varrier held key positions at Infosys, including EVP, Head of Global ​Services, and Head of Infosys Americas. He has also served as the CIO and Digital Officer for Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance and founded the ​analytics firm Activecubes. Source :www.peoplematters.in

72% of employers plan to hire freshers in H2 2024: TeamLease

A recent report by TeamLease reveals that 72% of employers plan to hire freshers in the second half of 2024. This marks a 4% increase from the ​previous half-year and a 7% rise compared to the same period in 2023. The positive trend indicates a robust job market for new graduates.

The report, based on a survey of 603 companies across India, identifies E-commerce & Technology Start-ups, Engineering & Infrastructure, and ​Retail as the top sectors hiring freshers, with 61%, 59%, and 54% of employers in these industries, respectively, planning to recruit.

Geographically, Bangalore leads with 74% of employers intending to hire freshers, followed by Mumbai at 60% and Chennai at 54%.

In-demand roles include Full Stack Developer, SEO Executive, Digital Sales Associate, and UI/UX Designer. Skills in Cybersecurity, Cloud ​Computing, Data Analytics, and Search Engine Optimization are particularly sought after. The report also emphasises the need for better ​alignment between educational curricula and industry requirements. It finds that 70% of employers support enhancing curriculum with ​experiential learning, while 62% advocate for stronger industry-academia partnerships.

Degree apprenticeships show stable demand, with Manufacturing (25%), Engineering & Infrastructure (19%), and Construction & Real Estate (11%) ​leading in hiring intentions.

Shantanu Rooj, Founder and CEO of TeamLease EdTech, commented, “The increase in hiring intent for freshers reflects growing confidence among ​employers and presents valuable opportunities for new talent.” He highlighted the importance of aligning educational programs with industry ​needs and the shift towards practical, hands-on learning.

Jaideep Kewalramani, Head of Employability Business and COO at TeamLease EdTech, added, “The 7% rise in fresher hiring intent and growing ​demand across sectors indicate a robust job market recovery. Graduates focusing on digital skills and diverse learning experiences can ​significantly enhance their career prospects.” Source :www.peoplematters.in

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