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Microsoft name Aparajita Puri as managing director – strategic pursuits team (SPT)
Former McKinsey partner to drive large-scale enterprise transformation deals
MUMBAI: Aparajita Puri has joined Microsoft as managing director for its strategic pursuits team in India and South Asia, stepping into a newly created leadership role aimed at scaling large enterprise transformation initiatives.
The role is part of Microsoft’s India leadership structure and is focused on strengthening engagement with key clients, particularly as demand rises for large, tech-led business transformations. Puri will lead strategic deals across sectors, working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data, and cloud adoption.
Her appointment marks a shift from consulting to big tech after more than a decade at McKinsey & Company, where she most recently served as partner. Over an 11-year stint, she held multiple roles across geographies, advising global clients on strategy and transformation.
Reflecting on the move, Microsoft managing director Aparajita Puri said, “After an incredibly rewarding journey at McKinsey, I’m excited to begin a new chapter at Microsoft.” She added that the shift comes at a time when technology and business transformation are converging at an unprecedented pace.
Puri also highlighted the opportunity to work on large-scale transformation mandates. “It’s an exciting time to be at the intersection of tech and business transformation, especially as AI, data and accelerated cloud adoption reshape industries,” said Microsoft managing director Aparajita Puri.
In her new role, she will collaborate closely with senior leaders including Lloyd Adams, Mark Leigh and Puneet Chandok, aligning with Microsoft’s broader push to deepen its enterprise footprint in the region.
With a background that spans consulting, finance and policy, including stints at global firms and academic exposure at leading institutions, Puri brings a mix of strategic depth and execution experience to the role.
Her appointment underlines Microsoft’s growing focus on India and South Asia as key markets for high-value digital transformation. As enterprises double down on AI and cloud, the company appears to be gearing up with leadership that can both spot big opportunities and see them through.
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Ambit appoints Skanda Jayaraman as co-head of investment banking business
Leadership rejig sharpens ECM focus and expands sector-led advisory push
MUMBAI: Ambit Private Limited has strengthened its investment banking leadership with the appointment of Skanda Jayaraman as co-head of the division, signalling a sharper push into sector-led advisory and capital markets.
Jayaraman will share leadership responsibilities with Rahul Mody, as the firm looks to scale its advisory franchise and deepen client engagement across industries. The move is part of a broader leadership rejig aimed at expanding Ambit’s reach and execution capabilities in a competitive dealmaking environment.
With more than two decades of experience across fintech, investment banking and credit risk, Jayaraman brings a varied background to the role. He most recently founded Altflow Advisors, where he built a data-driven platform for the BFSI sector and advised mid-market clients on capital raising. Earlier, he served as CEO of Qapita Marketplace in Singapore and held a senior role at Spark Capital Advisors.
Alongside this appointment, Ambit has also realigned internal roles. Vikas Khattar will now focus exclusively on scaling the firm’s equity capital markets business while continuing to deepen its financial sponsors group coverage. The firm sees ECM as a key growth engine, driven by strong scalability and increasing capital market activity.
Commenting on the leadership changes, Ambit Private Limited group CEO Ashok Wadhwa said, “Skanda’s appointment marks an important step in driving the next phase of Ambit’s growth journey. His entrepreneurial mindset and strong execution track record will be instrumental as we partner with emerging and established leaders.”
The new structure is expected to enable more focused, sector-driven engagement, supported by dedicated leadership across key verticals. For Ambit, it is a case of tightening the top deck to play a bigger hand in India’s evolving M&A and capital markets landscape.
