Interview: No big-bang rejig; will rationalise costs and reinvest, says Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S

The newly inducted chief of Cognizant Ravi Kumar S has a clear brief. The 48-year-old has been tasked with reviving the fortunes of the US-based software exporter that has grown slower than peers and seen an exodus of senior leaders. It is a challenge that Kumar is betting the firm can overcome with its “entrepreneurial spirit”.

The efforts seem to be showing results. Large deal pursuits have led to a “historic quarter” with deal booking at $25.6 billion on a 12-month basis amid a challenging macroeconomic environment. Set up only in 1994 as a division of Dun & Bradstreet, Cognizant is among the younger IT services firms.