Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Coforge Names Akhil Gupta Chairperson After Board Turmoil
Coforge has chosen Akhil Kumar Gupta to lead its board as chairperson.
Gupta previously worked as vice chairman of Bharti Enterprises.
He will also be an independent director for five years.
His term starts on September 29, 2026, but shareholders must still approve the appointment.
Vivek Sharma had been serving as the temporary chairperson.
The company searched worldwide with help from Egon Zehnder and considered 60 candidates.
Gupta was selected unanimously by the board and its nomination committee.
His appointment follows the exits of two senior directors during a period of boardroom tension.
Coforge says the leadership changes have not altered its long-term revenue target.
Coforge appointed former Bharti Enterprises vice chairman Akhil Kumar Gupta as chairperson and non-executive independent director for five years from September 29, 2026.
Gupta’s appointment followed the resignations of former chairperson O P Bhatt and nomination committee chair D K Singh amid reported governance tensions.
Interim chairperson Vivek Sharma said Egon Zehnder helped conduct a global search that began with 60 candidates before Gupta was unanimously selected.
Gupta is a chartered accountant with more than 40 years of experience and serves on the boards of several companies, including 360 ONE WAM and Bharti Life Insurance.
The appointment requires shareholder approval, while Coforge said its four-year revenue guidance of nearly $5 billion remains unchanged.
- Who
- Coforge appointed Akhil Kumar Gupta as chairperson and non-executive independent director; Vivek Sharma had been interim chairperson.
- What
- Gupta received a five-year appointment as chairperson, subject to shareholder approval.
- When
- The appointment was announced in filings and reports dated September 27-28, 2026, and takes effect on September 29, 2026.
- Where
- The appointment was disclosed through Coforge’s filings to stock exchanges.
- Why
- Coforge sought new board leadership after the resignations of O P Bhatt and D K Singh amid reported governance tensions.
Company’s account
Governance concerns
Leadership selection
Company’s account
Coforge said it conducted a rigorous global search with Egon Zehnder and unanimously selected Gupta for his governance experience, professional expertise and strategic perspective.
Governance concerns
The appointment came after an abrupt leadership disruption involving the resignations of O P Bhatt and D K Singh, with reported differences and tension between independent and executive directors.
Boardroom controversy
Company’s account
Coforge said its board and nomination committee followed the relevant processes during the search and described Gupta’s selection as unanimous.
Governance concerns
Bhatt resigned after an internal audit found that he had withheld a board evaluation report in which his performance received the lowest category; D K Singh later resigned citing differences and tension.
Business outlook
Company’s account
Coforge said the boardroom issue was separate from financial reporting and maintained its four-year revenue guidance of nearly $5 billion.
Governance concerns
The leadership turmoil coincided with reported share-price declines, including a 0.95% fall in early trade on September 29 and a 9.59% monthly decline, although the company’s shares were reported to be up 16.1% over the previous year.
- Appointee
- Akhil Kumar Gupta
- Position
- Chairperson and non-executive independent director
- Term
- Five years beginning September 29, 2026
- Selection process
- Global search conducted with Egon Zehnder; the initial list included 60 candidates
- Experience
- More than 40 years; Gupta is a chartered accountant
- Approval
- Shareholder approval is required
- Revenue guidance
- Four-year guidance of nearly $5 billion remains unchanged
Sources
All about Akhil Gupta, former Bharti Enterprises V C who is Coforge's new chairperson after O P Bhatt
Coforge Appoints Akhil Gupta As Chairperson, Five-Year Term Begins September 29
Coforge appoints Akhil Kumar Gupta as chairperson
