MAM
CC Africa,Taj Hotels rope in Jonty Rhodes as ambassador
MUMBAI: The recent joint venture between Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces and Conservation Corporation Africa (CC Africa) has resulted in a further bonus. South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes has been roped in as CC Africa’s ambassador to India and will be on a whirlwind tour of five Indian cities along with CC Africa CEO Steve Fitzgerald and will travel to Bangalore, Chennai, New Delhi and Ahmedabad after Mumbai.
CC Africa is Africa’s leading eco-safari operator with 36 exceptional lodges in the continent’s wilderness high spots. The Rhodes tour is aimed at raising awareness of CC Africa’s world-renowned lodges and camps, guided mobile expeditions, walking and specialist safaris and a comprehensive tour operating division offering exceptional safaris and tours from Nairobi to Cape Town. Rhodes will also tell attendees of the five-city functions about a range of exceptional safari offers tailored exclusively for the Indian market.
CC Africa offers Africa’s finest value safaris. The major packages on offer are the South African big five safaris and the East Africa safaris, which ranges from two-three nights stay at one of the finest lodges in Africa.
Rhodes while sharing his experiences on Africa’s ultimate safaris said, “CC Africa is the most comprehensive safari operators with exceptional lodges and safaris in Africa’s most breathtaking wilderness locations. The African safaris including Walking Safaris and Expeditions – Africa under Canvas mobile safaris is an exhilarating experience for discerning and adventurous travellers.”
Speaking on the development, Fitzgerald said, “CC Africa’s ecotourism model recognises that economic development of the areas in which we operate is crucial to the maintenance of bio-diversity. We also recognise that much of Africa’s wildlife heritage and land is influenced or owned by local communities. Our model – successfully implemented throughout our operations in Africa — links international high net worth, low volume/low impact visitors to these wilderness areas and their resident communities. The resultant revenue tangibly demonstrates the benefits of ecotourism and conservation to the neighbouring residents.”
Brands
Wipro hires 7,500 freshers, withholds FY27 hiring outlook
Profit rises to Rs 3,522 crore, Rs 15,000 crore buyback announced.
MUMBAI- Hiring may be on, but visibility is off, Wipro is adding talent even as it pauses the crystal ball. The company hired 7,500 freshers in FY26 but stopped short of offering any hiring outlook for FY27, underscoring the uncertainty gripping the IT services sector as it pivots towards an AI-led operating model.
The disclosure came alongside its fourth-quarter earnings, where management flagged volatile demand conditions and refrained from committing to future workforce expansion. Chief human resources officer Saurabh Govil noted that over 3,000 of the total hires were onboarded in the March quarter alone, signalling continued intake despite a lack of clarity on deployment pipelines.
This divergence active hiring without forward guidance reflects a broader industry pattern where talent acquisition continues even as deal conversions remain uneven and client spending cycles stretch. Wipro expects its IT services revenue for the June quarter to range between a decline of 2 per cent and flat growth sequentially in constant currency terms, reinforcing near-term caution.
Chief executive officer Srini Pallia pointed to artificial intelligence as both a disruptor and an opportunity. He said evolving client priorities are pushing the company towards outcome-driven engagements, with Wipro increasingly focusing on a services-as-software model through its AI Native Business and Platforms unit. The shift marks a structural change from traditional headcount-led growth to AI-enabled delivery frameworks.
The company has already committed over $1 billion to its AI ecosystem, with investors closely watching how these investments translate into revenue. For now, the numbers present a mixed picture. Net profit rose sequentially to Rs 3,522 crore, while revenue grew 3 per cent to Rs 24,236 crore. However, core IT services performance remained under pressure, with full-year revenue declining 0.3 per cent in dollar terms and 1.6 per cent in constant currency.
Large deal bookings offered a counterpoint, rising 45.4 per cent year-on-year to $7.8 billion, highlighting a widening gap between deal wins and actual revenue realisation. On a quarterly basis, IT services revenue slipped 1.2 per cent sequentially, signalling continued softness in execution.
Margins, however, told a more optimistic story. Operating margins expanded to 17.3 per cent in the fourth quarter, up from 14.8 per cent in the previous quarter, reflecting improved cost discipline. That said, the company cautioned that upcoming wage hikes and the ramp-up of large deals could exert pressure going forward.
Attrition stood at 13.8 per cent in the March quarter, indicating stabilisation after periods of elevated churn. Alongside its earnings, Wipro also announced a Rs 15,000 crore share buyback, reinforcing its focus on shareholder returns, with a payout ratio of 88 per cent over the past three years.
Taken together, the numbers capture a company in transition investing in AI, maintaining hiring momentum, but navigating a demand environment where growth is uneven and visibility remains limited.
