MAM
Nicholas Lim returns to The Travel Corp as new CEO
Mumbai: Global travel company The Travel Corp (TTC) has announced the appointment of Nicholas Lim as chief executive officer, effective 16 August. As the CEO of the company, Lim will focus on the transformation of TTC’s distribution of key brands and report to TTC president Gavin Tollman.
Lim previously headed TTC Asia as managing director from 2018 to 2020, and before that was president (Asia) for Trafalgar from 2011 to 2018. Prior to his appointment as CEO of TTC, Lim was general manager of Norwegian Cruise Lines in Asia.
“With a strong management team in place in Asia, we are excited to have Nicholas back to help us lead the change and replicate the fantastic success he has had in the past,” Gavin Tollman said. “As travellers of the world hit the road and take to the skies again, thanks to rising vaccination rates, manageable caseloads and relaxing travel restrictions, we are confident of delivering the most enjoyable, safe, and enriching travel experiences for all our guests.”
In his new role, Lim will work with each of the global brand executives to execute the brand strategies and set the direction to fuel further growth for the region, in particular the luxury travel market for international outbound leisure travel.
“I could not be prouder to join the dynamic team at TTC,” Lim said. “As the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic ebb, most indicators are pointing towards travel returning with a passion as numerous vacationers want to get away from the confines of their homes and as people look to reconnect and explore new destinations. With the near-universal desire to travel and with borders gradually reopening, we at TTC are excited to meet the soaring demand.”
TTC’s business is split between its guided travel brands such as AAT Kings, Contiki Holidays, CostSaver, Insight Vacations, Thompsons Africa, Trafalgar; And the luxury brands portfolio has Inspiring Journeys, Luxury Gold, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, and Red Carnation Boutique Hotels.
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.
