Azim Premji to retire as executive chairman of Wipro; son Rishad to take over

His son Rishad Premji, chief strategy officer and a board member, will take over as the executive chairman of the company.

The board has also announced that chief executive and executive director Abidali Z Neemuchwala will be re-designated as CEO and managing director. (Photo by Manjunath Kiran / AFP)

New Delhi: IT czar Azim Premji will retire as executive chairman of Wipro with effect from July 30, but will continue to serve on the board as non-executive director and founder chairman, the company said in a statement. His son Rishad Premji, chief strategy officer and a board member, will take over as the executive chairman of the company.

Abidali Z Neemuchwala to take over as Managing Director of Wipro from July 31; to also continue as the CEO of the company. Azim Premji to be the Non-Executive Director for a period of 5 years with effect from July 31 & has been conferred with title of Founder Chairman of Wipro pic.twitter.com/5ltMiZ395h

— ANI (@ANI) June 6, 2019

"Azim Premji, one of the pioneers of the Indian technology industry and founder of Wipro Limited, will retire as executive chairman upon the completion of his current term on July 30, 2019, after having led the company for 53 years. However, he will continue to serve on the board as non-executive director and founder chairman," Wipro said in a statement announcing the top deck changes. The board has also announced that chief executive and executive director Abidali Z Neemuchwala will be re-designated as CEO and managing director. "These changes will be effective July 31, 2019, subject to shareholder approval," the company added.