Venkatesh Natarajan (widely known as ‘VN’ in the industry) is a visionary leader in Digital Transformation and Emerging Technologies, with an illustrious career spanning 35 years in the Manufacturing sector, including 25 years dedicated to IT-driven business transformation. He has held pivotal leadership roles across Plant Maintenance, Production, Sales & Marketing before transitioning into Technology leadership, where he has spearheaded large-scale Digital initiatives. VN currently serves on the Board of companiesin advisory and strategic consulting roles, guiding organizations in their Digital evolution.

Leadership & Impact

As President – IT & Chief Digital Officer at Ashok Leyland, VN was a member of the Senior Leadership team & played a Transformative role in embedding Digital technology as a core business enabler. His leadership was instrumental in shaping the company’s Data-Driven Culture, accelerating its transition from a Manufacturing-centric entity to a Digitally empowered Technology company. He led initiatives in Connected Vehicles, Industry 4.0, AI, and Advanced Analytics, fostering a culture of Digital resilience, innovation, and excellence. His Boardroom expertise extends to serving as a Director and Advisor for leading multinational technology firms, where he provided strategic direction on Digital strategy, Enterprise IT, and Next-generation business models.

Vision & Expertise

Rooted in the philosophy of the Bhagavad Gita, VN embodies Transformational leadership, driving change with a deep commitment to fostering a data-first culture. His hallmark leadership style revolves around: • Building High-Performance Agile Teams that drive business value through technology. • Orchestrating Large-Scale Digital Programs that redefine industry landscapes. • Harnessing various Digital Technologiesto create new business models and monetization opportunities. VN is a sought-after mentor, coach, and enabler of Digital talent, known for his ability to blend Technology with human capital to unlock exponential business growth