There is greater energy and confidence than ever before: Wipro chairman Rishad Premji

Wipro Chairman Rishad Premji. (File photo)   |  Photo Credit: BCCL

Bengaluru: Software major Wipro's chairman Rishad Premji struck a buoyant note in his first letter to employees after the New Year, stating that the company has 'greater energy and confidence' than ever before. 

"A bunch of leading historians ranked 2020 as the sixth-worst year in human history, while naming 1348, the year of the ‘Black Death’, which claimed over 200 million lives, as the worst in recorded history. So, in this toughest of tough years, I want to thank you. You have done everything and more, both professionally and personally – to tackle all challenges head-on. We stand here at the beginning of a new year – more resilient than ever before, reinvented and reconstructed for a changed world, and, with greater energy and confidence than ever before. All of this because of your dedication, ingenuity, and tenacity," he wrote. ET NOW has seen a copy of the mail. 

He further highlighted the fact that 2020 was a milestone year for Wipro, as it marked the 75th year of the founding of the company. 

"Wipro was founded on December 29, 1945, another tumultuous period of transformation and upheaval, in the wake of the end of World War II and at the cusp of the independence of India and its partition. Starting then as a tiny vegetable oil making company, Wipro has grown to global leadership in multiple businesses. Our actions in 2020 have demonstrated clearly that we are worthy custodians of this proud legacy."

He stressed on the need to focus on a foundation of values as it grows. "Our values come to life in our consistent behaviour – our habits of: Being Respectful, Being Responsive, Always Communicating, Demonstrating Stewardship, and Building Trust." 

While Wipro started out as a vegetable oil making company, Rishad's father Azim Premji diversified the company to hydraulics, soaps, lighting and later to computers and software services. A $2 million hydrogenated cooking fat business today earns revenue of over $8 Billion from IT services, while Wipro Enterprises has revenues of close to $2 Billion. Azim Premji is also India's leading philanthropist, having committed two-thirds of his wealth or $21 Billion so far. 

While Rishad Premji took charge as chairman last year, Wipro appointed a new CEO this year-   Paris-based Thierry Delaporte, who is tasked with turning around Wipro's fortunes after years of middling growth. 

Wipro recently won its first billion-dollar deal under Delaporte. The deal from global wholesaler METRO AG, valued at $700 million for the first 5 years, could extend to an additional 4 years, with a potential spend of up to $1 Billion, making it the biggest deal win since he became CEO a few months ago.