C.P. GURNANI

Co-Founder & Vice Chairman
AIONOS

C.P. Gurnani, or “CP” to those who know him, is a visionary technology leader with a people-first approach. He is recognized as one of the most influential figures in global technology, a leader whose four-decade journey has consistently redefined the way businesses, societies, and technology intersect.

He’s a leader driven by the belief that technology should serve people and transform lives. As the Co-Founder and Vice Chairman of AIONOS, CP is shaping the future of AI to solve real-world challenges, making businesses smarter, greener, and more sustainable.

From leading one of the most iconic corporate turnarounds in Indian history the revival of Satyam Computer Services to driving Tech Mahindra’s transformation into a digital powerhouse, CP’s leadership journey is a playbook in vision, resilience, and execution. The Satyam story, now studied at Harvard Business school, wasn’t just about restoring a company; it was about proving that bold, values-led leadership can rewrite the rules.

He carried that transformation mindset into every role, including at HCL Corporation, Hewlett Packard, and Perot Systems, where he led large-scale digital initiatives and set new standards in operational excellence.

In addition to his roles in the tech ecosystem, CP currently serves as Chairman of Mahindra Holidays, where he continues to guide strategic growth and champion purpose-led travel experiences aligned with sustainability and customer-centricity. CP’s influence extends far beyond corporate roles. As a regular contributor to the World Economic Forum and former Chairman of both NASSCOM (2016–17) and the CII National Committee on IT & ITeS, he has helped shape global conversations around the future of technology, innovation, and economic development.

He has represented India in several of the Prime Minister’s international CEO delegations, helping position the country as a global technology leader and forging impactful cross-border partnerships.

But CP’s leadership isn’t confined to boardrooms. He’s passionate about the power of education and upskilling, founding Plaksha University and serving on the boards of IIM Nagpur and Mahindra University. His role on upGrad’s advisory board reflects his commitment to democratizing education, where he guides initiatives that bridge industry needs with future-ready learning experiences.

He’s equally committed to giving back to society, along with his wife Anita, he co-founded Titliyan, an NGO focused on empowering underprivileged children and working with causes like the Mohan Foundation and Feeding Hands in Jaipur to improve community well-being. He is also on the Board of Directors at the Wadhwani Foundation, supporting global initiatives in entrepreneurship, skilling, and economic acceleration.

Sustainability isn’t just a checkbox for CP; it is a core to his leadership philosophy. Under his guidance at Tech Mahindra, ambitious goals were set carbon neutrality by 2030 and net-zero by 2035. These commitments reflect a deeper mission to ensure that innovation goes hand in hand with environmental and social responsibility. Tech Mahindra, under his leadership, was recognized by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for eight consecutive years – testament to his unwavering focus on ESG, inclusion, and long-term value creation.

A proud graduate of NIT Rourkela in chemical engineering, CP has been awarded honorary doctorates by four universities and has received numerous accolades, including:

  • ‘CEO’s Choice Lifetime Achievement Award’ by SKOCH and CAII (2021)
  • ‘People-Focused CEO of the Year’
  • Named among the ‘Top 100 Most Influential Global Leaders in AI’
  • Gold Winner in the ‘CEO of the Year’ for his organization’s wide reskilling initiative
  • Asia One Global Indian of the Year – Technology’ in 2016
  • Listed among the top 100 global CEOs as part of The Wall Street Journal CEO Council 2016
  • Recognised as one of the top ‘AI Creators’ in AIM 100: The Most Influential Global Leaders in AI; for two consecutive years (2024 & 2025).

These honours reflect a career committed not just to performance, but to purpose and a vision.

Today with AIONOS, CP is once again at the frontier building AI solutions that enable businesses to become more intelligent, inclusive, and sustainable. His vision is bold yet grounded: technology must work for people, not the other way around. At AIONOS, he’s turning that vision into action creating platforms that solve real-world problems and create lasting value across industries.

C.P. Gurnani’s legacy is more than a list of milestones. It’s a demonstration of what happens when bold thinking meets deep empathy a lifelong mission to build not just great companies, but a better world for all.