eNews
Two decades in IBM gets Aparna N chief talent role
NEW YORK: Aparna N has climbed to the top of IBM’s people operations, landing the chief talent, leadership and culture officer position in November after 22 years navigating the company’s human resources machinery.
The promotion caps a swift ascent through IBM’s consulting division, where Aparna spent the past two years as vice president for offerings and growth, steering people strategy across a $20n billion-plus business spanning service lines, sales ecosystems and client expansion. She also oversaw the delicate work of integrating acquisitions without losing momentum.
Before that sprint to the executive suite, Aparna built her reputation as director of talent strategy and solutions for IBM Consulting from 2018 to 2023, managing a 20-person global team responsible for 150,000 employees and executives. Her portfolio ran the gamut: skills development, diversity initiatives, retention programmes and performance management across a $17 billion operation.
Her IBM journey began in Bangalore in 2003, handling talent acquisition before progressing through compensation roles in India and the Asia-Pacific region. A stint as global compensation programme manager followed, then positions leading HR for IBM Systems and global mobility programmes, before her move into consulting.
The New York-based executive now holds the reins for shaping how IBM attracts, develops and keeps talent in a fiercely competitive market for technology workers. No small task for someone who started out building the company’s employer brand in India’s talent wars two decades ago.
eNews
Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
