My background doesn't matter at Infosys: K V Kamath

Bangalore, Sep 15: New Chairman of Infosys Ltd, the veteran banker K V Kamath says his background does not matter at the IT company given his governance oversight role but acknowledged that he does have a unique insight into driving technology.

Kamath, who succeeded N R Narayana Murthy at the Bangalore-headquartered, NASDAQ-listed firm, nearly a month ago, said Infosys is a well established company with processes which are clearly defined, and his role would be what is expected of an independent non executive Board Chairman, namely governance oversight.

Asked how he saw the new assignment coming as he did from outside the company, Kamath, who is also non-executive Chairman of ICICI Bank, said if one looked at the role (governance oversight), then it does not matter what would have been his background.

"As it happens having been at the centre stage in driving technology in ICICI Bank through a period when large scale disruption of technology was taking place, gives one a rather unique insight", he told PTI in an exclusive interview.

Kamath heaped praise on his predecessor.

"Murthy is someone who has written a new chapter in Indian business. He proved that a professional team, driven by passion can create enormous value for all stake holders while upholding the highest standards of governance" , he said. "My role would be to take this forward. I do recoginse that this is an enormous shift that is taking place, a transition after almost thirty years of iconic leadership".

PTI