Infosys, the India-based high-tech firm that recently announced plans to bring 2,000 jobs to Wake County, has reaffirmed its commitment to that expansion following the resignation of its CEO on Friday.
The company issued the statement via email hours after Vishal Sikka, managing director and CEO of Infosys, resigned during a board of directors meeting. The board accepted his resignation, effective immediately.
“The Infosys Management team and Board are deeply committed to the company’s existing U.S. innovation strategy and investment in helping our clients tackle the challenges of a digital future. We reaffirm our commitment to hiring 10,000 American workers over the next two years and opening technology and innovation hubs to better serve our clients in key industries across the U.S.,” the statement, which was not attributed to any individual, said.
“This program is central to our strategy of bringing new skills and transformational technologies to help make our American customers more competitive.”
Part of that commitment is to Wake County.
“We are focused on our investments in Indiana and North Carolina, and look forward to continuing on this journey and expanding the program into other states as we do our part to boost American innovation,” the statement added.
Infosys announced in July its plan to bring 2,000 jobs to Wake County that average a starting salary above $72,000, according to previous reports. State officials said the deal includes some $25 million in state grants and other supports.
Sikka cited among his reasons for leaving, “the distractions that we have seen, the constant drumbeat of the same issues over and over again, while ignoring and undermining the good work that has been done, take the excitement and passion out of this amazing journey.”
Sikka was CEO for three years. He will continue as the company’s executive vice chairman until a new CEO can be found.
Sikka had differences with some founders of the company, including N.R. Narayana Murthy.
The Infosys board appointed U.B. Pravin Rao as interim CEO and managing director, a company statement said Friday.
Sikka was the first non-founder CEO of the Bangalore-based company. He joined Infosys in 2014.
Murthy and some other founders recently complained over salary issues and large compensation packages paid to some senior employees who had quit the company.
In March, Infosys announced that it will establish a central Indiana tech center as part of a broader expansion in the United States that is projected to create 10,000 jobs in coming years. The plan includes an $8.7 million investment to lease and equip office space in the Indianapolis, Indiana, area to accommodate 2,000 new workers by the end of 2021 as well as the North Carolina deal..
Infosys describes itself as a global leader in technology services and consulting with clients in 45 countries.
