News Broadcasting
HCL appoints Puri as SVP retail, media & entertainment in North America
MUMBAI: HCL Technologies Ltd has appointed Karan Puri to the position of senior vice president for North America, to manage the company’s retail, media, and entertainment groups.
HCL Technologies provides integrated services in technology, business process operations (BPO) and infrastructure management, enabling customers to transform their businesses, in markets worldwide.
“Today, these three market groups in North America are poised for transformation and HCL aims to lead their transformation initiatives, which requires a leader of Karan Puri’s caliber, expertise and vision. Karan brings over 20 years experience in IT, BPO and IP development, managing global clients In India, Europe and the US, thereby providing HCL’s North American businesses with a go-to leader who is skilled at solving some of the toughest IT Issues around. These are exciting times, and Karan’s Mission to drive these groups at an executive level, demonstrates HCL’s commitment to be a market leader In the coming quarters,” said HCL Technologies America president Shaml Khorana.
In the quickly evolving digital media space, adoption of new generation technologies like digital asset management (DAM) and digital rights management (DRM) are leading the charge. With new distribution channels like broadband and wireless networks, licensed digital content, and content security, the industry is investing and consolidating their revenue models. This means leading investments in platform shifts, and managing new revenue models dynamically. Likewise, the gaming and entertainment industry, too, is morphing to meet the Internet-led explosion in consumer traffic.
The company’s media and entertainment division has the privilege of very strong relationships with key industry players such as GTECH, Thomson Financial, Reed Elsevier, Wolters Kluwer, Lexis Nexls and others.
In retail, in addition to the thought leadership provided through its joint ventures with the $5 billion dollar Jones Apparel Group; HCL, under Puri’s leadership, will build scale in specific micro-verticals, by investing in emerging initiatives like supply chain visibility, RFID and Master Data Management (MDM).
News Broadcasting
BBC to cut up to 2,000 jobs in biggest overhaul in 15 years
Cost pressures and leadership change drive major workforce reduction plan
LONDON: BBC has unveiled plans to cut up to 2,000 jobs, roughly 10 per cent of its global workforce, in what marks its biggest downsizing in 15 years.
The announcement was made during an all-staff meeting led by interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, as the broadcaster moves to tackle mounting financial pressures and reshape its operations.
Between 1,800 and 2,000 roles are expected to be eliminated from a workforce of around 21,500. The cuts form part of a broader plan to save £500 million over the next two years, aimed at offsetting rising costs, stagnating licence fee income and weaker commercial revenues.
In a communication to staff, BBC interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies said, “I know this creates real uncertainty, but we wanted to be open about the challenge,” acknowledging the impact the move would have across the organisation.
The restructuring comes at a time of leadership transition. Former director-general Tim Davie stepped down earlier this month, with Matt Brittin, a former Google executive, set to take over the role on May 18, 2026.
While some cost-cutting measures are being implemented immediately, the majority of the structural changes are expected to roll out over the next few years, with full savings targeted by the 2027–2028 financial year.
The broadcaster had earlier signalled its intent to reduce its cost base by around 10 per cent over a three-year period, warning of “difficult choices” as it adapts to shifting economic realities and audience expectations.
With operating costs hovering around £6 billion annually, the BBC’s latest move underscores the scale of the financial challenge it faces, as it balances public service commitments with the need for long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive media landscape.
