Sundar Pichai as Google CEO, Satya Nadella as Microsoft CEO: 9 Indians who head global companies

It is moment of celebration and pride for all Indians with the announcement of Chennai born Sundar Pichai being chosen as the Chief Executive Office (CEO) of search engine giant Google. With the announcement coming from Google’s co-founder Larry Page about Sundar Pichai being selected for the top job as Google CEO, back in country it was a moment of joy. With Sundar Pichai notching up the  CEO post, he became the second person of Indian origin to head a major IT company after Hyderabad born Satya Nadella who became CEO of software giant Microsoft in February 2014. With his appointment as the CEO, he joins the elite list of Lakshmi Mittal, Indra Nooyi, Ajay Banga and many more Indians who are heading MNCs. Also Read: Sundar Pichai is new Google CEO: 7 things to know about Indian-born in restructured Alphabet.

We look at Indians who have not only elevated their roles as global operations head but also contributed significantly in bringing India up on the world map.

1. Satya Nadella – CEO of Microsoft

Hyderabad born Satya Nadella became the CEO of software giant Microsoft in February 2014, succeeding Steve Ballmer. Nadella has been a 22-year veteran of Microsoft before becoming the CEO and has been overseeing various aspects of the company’s corporate software business since 1992.

2. Indra Nooyi – Chairperson & CEO of PepsiCo.

She became the CEO of the PepsiCo., an American food and beverage multinational corporation in 2006. She was elevated from her post of CFO when she joined in 2001 to her role as CEO of the second largest food and beverage company in the world. Time and again she has been listed as powerful and influential personality by Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Fortune and Time.

3. Ajaypal Singh Banga – President & CEO, MasterCard

Ajaypal Singh Banga  or Ajay Banga succeeded Robert W. Selander who held the post for 13 years as the new President and CEO of MasterCard on April 12, 2010. A Stephen’s Economics graduate, Banga began his career with Nestle. He has also worked previously worked with PepsiCo and Citigroup. Ajay is also the chairman of the U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC).

4. Lakshmi Mittal – Chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal

He is the Chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal, world’s largest steel making company. The Indian Steel mogul is one of the most influential and powerful figures globally. His Kensington Palace Gardens residence was called ‘Taj Mittal’ for its grandeur and elegant design.

5. Shantanu Narayen – CEO of Adobe Systems

Grew up in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, Shantanu Narayen raised form the post of President and Chief Operating Officer to CEO in 2007 of Adobe Systems. He replaced Bruce Chizen after the later decided to step down from his post.

6. Harish Manwani – COO of Unilever

Harish Manwani was appointed as global COO of Unilever in 2011. Unilever is the third largest consumer good multinational company behind P&G and Nestle. Harish is also the non-executive chairman of Hindustan Unilever and the Director of Whirlpool Corporation.

7. Rakesh Kapoor – CEO of Reckitt Benckiser

Rakesh Kapoor joined Reckitt Benckiser in 1987 and he became the CEO of the British multinational company in 2011. The consumer goods giant is listed on London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

8. Nitin Paranjpe – Global President of the Home Care Business of Unilever

From the post of MD and CEO of Hindustan Lever, Nitin was moved to higher rank of globally representing Home Care Business of Unilever. With his promotion, Sanjiv Mehta took over as CEO of Hindustan Lever.

9. Atul Singh – Group President of Asia of Coca Cola

Atul Singh has been Group President of Asia Pacific Group at The Coca-Cola Company since November 2013. He is heading Coca-Cola’s operations in 10 of the 38 Asia Pacific countries. He was elevated from the post of deputy president of the Pacific group. He is responsible for the operations in India, Greater China, Southwest Asia and Association of Southeast Asian Nations.