Digital
NTT Data boosts Salesforce strength with Exah acquisition in MEA region
MUMBAI: NTT Data has snapped up Exah, a Salesforce consulting partner and AI implementation specialist, to supercharge its customer engagement game across the Middle East and Africa (MEA).
The Johannesburg-based acquisition strengthens NTT Data’s in-region Salesforce capabilities, blending its global scale with Exah’s proven local expertise. The result? Smarter, faster and more personalised Salesforce solutions for clients navigating today’s customer-first economy.
Salesforce is already a cornerstone of NTT Data’s growth strategy, offering unified customer data, streamlined workflows and AI-powered insights. By bringing Exah on board, NTT Data adds an extra layer of technical depth and on-the-ground support.
NTT Data MEA CEO Alan Turnley-Jones, said the acquisition was about “combining Exah’s expertise with NTT Data’s global capabilities to deliver innovative solutions that drive customer engagement and business growth.”
For Exah, it’s a chance to plug into a global network while staying true to its roots. “Delivering exceptional customer value through innovation is our founding principle,” said Exah managing director Tiaan le Roux. “Joining NTT Data lets us amplify that mission across Africa and beyond.”
This move follows NTT Data’s 2023 purchase of MuleSoft consultancy Apisero, further strengthening its integration chops across digital, voice and CRM platforms. With Exah in the fold, NTT Data can now deliver Salesforce expertise end-to-end, from integration to post-implementation support, while also building local skills through its young talent programme.
For businesses across the MEA region, it means a stronger partner to keep their customer relationships cleaner, faster and smarter, no manual refresh needed.
Digital
OpenAI’s Stargate lead Peter Hoeschele exits with two senior leaders
Trio behind compute push set to join new startup amid leadership reshuffle
SAN FRANCISCO: Peter Hoeschele, a key figure behind OpenAI’s early Stargate data centre initiative, has exited the company, according to a report by The Information.
The departure is part of a broader leadership shift, with two other senior executives, Shamez Hemani and Anuj Saharan, also set to leave in the coming days. All three are expected to join the same new startup, although details about the venture remain under wraps.
The trio played a central role in OpenAI’s Stargate effort, an initiative aimed at building large-scale data centre capacity in-house to reduce reliance on external infrastructure providers. Their exits mark a notable moment for the company’s compute strategy as it continues to scale rapidly.
OpenAI spokesperson said in a statement to The Information, “We’re grateful for the contributions Peter, Shamez, and Anuj have made to OpenAI and wish them the very best in what comes next.” The company also pointed to the recent appointment of Sachin Katti to lead its industrial compute organisation, signalling continuity in its infrastructure roadmap.
OpenAI has indicated that it does not plan to directly replace Hoeschele’s role, suggesting a possible restructuring of responsibilities within the team.
As competition intensifies in the race to build next-generation AI systems, leadership changes in core infrastructure teams are likely to draw close attention. For now, the spotlight shifts to what this departing trio builds next, and how OpenAI adapts as it scales its ambitions.
