Non-Infoscian, non-Indian may head Infy, says Murthy

 “I do believe, after I leave, we are very likely to see a non-Infoscian as Chairman of Infosys... He could be a non-Indian as well,” Murthy said in an interview to a private news channel.

However, Murthy, who would retire on August 28th, 2011 clarified that “this is not a done deal but is a thinking.”

On the possibility of appointing ICICI chief K V Kamath as the next Chairman, Murthy said “I have tremendous admiration and affection for KV. He is one of the finest leaders the country has produced. But at this point of time we have not decided on it...It’s for the nomination committee to decide.”

Small manageable board

Speaking on Infosys board after 2012, when many of the company’s senior board members and founders will retire, Murthy said “...discussion on the board at this time is veering towards a belief that we have to get to a smaller manageable board.”

Between 2011 and 2015 many senior officials, including founding members, of Infosys are slated to retire.Murthy said “We have to get to as few executives on the board as possible and as few independent directors as would be needed. So I think as we get off the board there will be a shrinking of the board size.”On the appointment of a co-chairman following Nandan Nilekani’s departure he said the company, like in the past, would be able to fill the gap that has been left behind by Nilekani.

Nilekani stepped down as co-Chairman of Infosys to head the government’s National ID card project as a Cabinet Minister. Murthy said in keeping with ethical values followed by Infosys, going forward, “People at Infosys and Nandan will keep a certain distance... Infosys and Nandan will never do anything unethical.”