Axis Bank CEO Shikha Sharma wants to ensure that when it is time for her to move on, it is not deja vu for the bank. According to an Economic Times report, to have an answer to who will audition for her job, Sharma started reshuffling the top deck at the private lender this year.

Economic Times quoted Sharma as saying, ”This shuffle is to ensure that the top talent gets exposure to different kinds of experiences. This is a thoughtful move and is not driven by any agenda.”

HR experts say diversity is an important aspect in succession planning. The report quoted Aditya Narayan Mishra, president, Randstad India as saying, ”A person from a different function can bring in diverse perspective, new ideas, lateral thinking and innovation. So, bringing in a person from diverse backgrounds is a foundational aspect of succession planning.”

The report added that the bank is also preparing itself for the competition that will intensify on the HR front once the Reserve Bank allows new entrants. Axis Bank runs partnership programmes with Dukes London and with the IITs to prepare future bankers. It also takes 40 executives every year from premier management colleges.

Read the complete report here