NTT DATA: CEO Abhijit Dubey to Lead New Phase of Growth

The IT services has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. Cloud computing, AI and cybersecurity have become the pillars of modern business operations, driving demand for sophisticated, integrated solutions. In this highly competitive field, companies must continually innovate and adapt to stay relevant.

Born from the telecommunications giant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT), Japanese powerhouse NTT DATA has steadily expanded its reach across the globe, offering a comprehensive suite of IT and business services.

To help it further scale, NTT DATA has appointed Abhijit Dubey as the Chief Executive Officer of its international business. This appointment marks a significant milestone, as Dubey becomes the first non-Japanese CEO and the first of Indian origin to lead a Japanese conglomerate of this scale.

The announcement comes on the heels of a merger between NTT DATA and NTT Ltd., creating an entity with a valuation exceeding US$30bn. This fusion has positioned the company as a major player in the global technology arena, boasting an impressive workforce of 150,000 employees worldwide.

Dubey's appointment is timely, as the newly merged company seeks to accelerate its growth beyond the Japanese market. With a robust annual R&D investment of US$3.6bn and a rich 150-year history, NTT DATA is poised to tackle the complex technological challenges of today whilst innovating for tomorrow.

Who is Abhijit Dubey, new CEO of NTT DATA?

As the new CEO of NTT DATA, Dubey brings a wealth of experience to his role. Prior to joining NTT in 2021, Dubey spent over two decades at McKinsey & Company, where he advised top-tier technology firms and CEOs. His expertise in cloud computing, gained from spearheading McKinsey's global efforts in this domain, will be invaluable as NTT DATA navigates the evolving tech landscape.

While in his previous role – as the CEO of NTT Ltd – Dubey spoke to Technology Magazine about his 20-year career journey, and on the fundamental changes in management styles between the fast-moving, Silicon Valley-style approach and the characteristics of an organisation with a more traditional structure, like NTT.

“My experience has been that both styles are far more powerful when they coexist,” he explained. “In Silicon Valley, there is a mindset to move fast, to be disruptive, and to take risks. A lot of the talent is more logic-driven. So it's more about winning the minds of the people.

“If you switch over to a very traditional Japanese company – even though NTT is a global company with global leadership and employees – there are differences. Because they take a very long-term and patient perspective, there is less risk-taking.

“Instead of winning just minds,” he said, “I think there's a lot of focus on winning the hearts and minds of people. We still move very fast, but we always keep the long-term perspective in mind, which means any change that we're doing is not just about what will give us the benefit in the next couple of years, but actually about building a much more sustainable institution in the future.”

Under Dubey's leadership, NTT DATA aims to leverage its comprehensive suite of services, including business and technology consulting, data and AI, industry solutions, cloud computing, cybersecurity and managed services. The company's expanding international footprint, now generating approximately US$18bn in revenue, has secured its position as the sixth-largest IT services provider globally.

Dubey's vision for NTT DATA is clear: to harness technology as a driver of positive change. He emphasises the company's unique positioning to deliver meaningful impact through its broad capabilities across various technological domains.

“I am deeply honoured to lead the company at a time of major technological change,” he says of his appointment. “Technology must drive positive change in the world, and I believe that NTT DATA’s broad capabilities in consulting, infrastructure, AI, cloud, and cybersecurity, position us to deliver meaningful impact. I’m privileged to lead a team that is committed to clients and am excited for this next phase of growth.”

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