Narayanan Subramanyam

Narayanan Subramanyam has over 25 years of experience having led IT-enabled business transformations in various roles – CIO, Technology strategy & execution, Shared Services, Security Planning and developing and aligning IT strategy with corporate goals. Having worked with HUL/Unilever & USL/DIAGEO, he possesses 15+ years of global exposure in setting up Business Shared Service Centres for IT, Finance, HR and Supply Chain & implemented industry best practices. During his tenure at HUL/Unilever for over 22 years, he has progressed from operational to senior management levels. In his last position as Director of IT User Services, he has architected and rolled out end- user computing infrastructure for 110,000 users across the globe. As part of his role, he has extensively dealt with global IT outsourcing providers to enhance effectiveness and derive business value. He has also led Information Security from the front, expanding Security from merely being ‘Technology Security’ to ‘Information Security’. During his stint at Unilever, he was based out of UK for many years to drive IT efficiency & effectiveness

As the CIO at United Spirits Ltd., (a Diageo Group Company), Narayanan created the IT strategy and direction, and guiding the company through its transformation (Business and IT) from an Indian business to an MNC’s subsidiary. He has provided thought leadership with a clear vision and roadmap for the journey to provide Information ‘on-the-go’ at USL converting Data to Reports to Analytics to Predictive. He has also led the efforts to transform Finance function at USL, Re-implementing SAP System and controls and involved in similar large scale transformation initiatives in other functions like HR, Sales & Operation Planning etc. He spearheaded digital efforts to enable many new ways to reach consumers mainly through mobile and benchmarked to CPG industry best in class.

Narayanan has worked with stakeholders in multiple markets across the globe and has led people from different backgrounds, analysing complex situations and using a creative approach to problem-solving for developing leading edge, cost-effective solutions to help the company achieve its business goals. He possesses excellent communication and negotiation skills and a flair for being able to think differently.

Narayanan is a Post Graduate in Management, CISA, CISM and CGEIT & is a recipient of awards i.e. ‘Top 50’ CIOs in India in 2015 by the CIO Association of India, HUL’s information security programme, the ‘Security Strategist’ award at the CIO Conclave in Thailand (2005) & HUL Chairman’s Award for outstanding / significant contribution – 5 years.