The National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) has appointed Rekha M Menon, Chairperson and Senior Managing Director at Accenture in India as its Chairperson for 2021-22.

Menon succeeds U B Pravin Rao, Chief Operating Officer, Infosys, who served as the Chairman of Nasscom for the year 2020-21. Meanwhile, Krishnan Ramanujam, President and Head of Business & Technology Services, Tata Consultancy Services as the Vice-Chairperson for this financial year.

Menon becomes the first woman to take on the role of Chairperson for Nasscom in the technology service association’s 30-year history.

“I am honored and humbled by this vote of confidence by the Nasscom Executive Council at such a crucial time for our industry. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic continues to test the resilience of our more than 4 million people, even as it has created new opportunities for growth with technology emerging as the lifeline for societies and economies across the world,” said Menon in a statement.

 “As we cautiously navigate the pandemic, I look forward to working with the Nasscom Executive Council and its members to drive our industry’s long term growth by augmenting India’s position as the digital talent nation for the world, driving people-first innovation, and working with the government to create a conducive policy environment needed for sustainable growth,” Menon added.

Debjani Ghosh, President, Nasscom stated, “With the industry re-aligning itself in the new normal, I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with Rekha and Krishnan to drive the industry through another uncertain but growth opportunity year. As a champion of future skills and inclusive growth, Rekha’s past contributions to Nasscom have been invaluable, and we look forward to working together to take our industry to newer heights in this new normal where amalgamation and integration of technology is going to continue, and digital skilling is going to be the cornerstone for collaborative development.”

Nasscom continues to work with the government to build frameworks for responsible technology and bolster the Indian narrative across the key pillars of trust, digital talent, innovation, and responsible tech. Rekha’s appointment comes at a time when the new wave of the virus threatens to disrupt operations and the industry needs to remain agile and resilient in order to sail through the crisis.