London, 14th August 2020 -  Today announced that Sreeram Visvanathan has been named Chief Executive, IBM in the UK and Ireland. He succeeds Bill Kelleher, who led UK and Ireland business operations since mid 2017. Mr. Kelleher becomes Chairman, IBM in the UK and Ireland. In his new role, Mr. Kelleher will continue to strengthen relationships with key private and public sector clients to advance IBM’s contribution to the national agenda. Both roles are effective 1^st September 2020.

Mr. Visvanathan, an eminent thought leader with deep industry and technology expertise and almost two decades of experience at IBM, will be responsible for business operations, driving revenue growth, client satisfaction, and employee engagement.

“Sreeram is a remarkable leader who for the last five years has led our global Public Sector team, covering Government, Healthcare, Life Sciences and Education industries, and together with his team, has delivered tremendous value to our clients,” comments Marta Martinez Alonso, General Manager, IBM Europe, Middle East and Africa. “I would like to thank Bill for his leadership in the United Kingdom and Ireland over the last three years. He is a respected and well-liked leader who I look forward to continued engagement with in his role as Chairman.”

Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive, IBM UK and Ireland, Mr. Visvanathan most recently held the position of Global Managing Director, leading Government, Education, Healthcare and Life Sciences industries at IBM worldwide. In his 18 years with IBM, Mr. Visvanathan also fulfilled a number of other global roles including Managing Partner, IBM Global Business Services for the Public Sector worldwide and Managing Partner, IBM Global Business Services.

“We are at a pivotal point in shaping the future of our industry.  The current global crisis is accelerating disruption and the need for digital transformation at scale and pace,” comments Visvanathan. “It is a real privilege to be appointed into this role and I am personally excited to be returning to the UK. Through my existing work with clients in the UK Public Sector, I am familiar with the market and look forward to making new connections as we work together to continue to navigate the global pandemic.”

Mr. Visvanathan joined IBM with the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) acquisition in 2002, having worked in Consulting since 1999.  Prior to joining PwC, he worked in IT Management across multiple industries, notably in manufacturing. Born in Bangalore, India and educated in the UK, with an MBA from the University of Bradford, a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Information Technology from Kingston University, he is a truly multi-national leader with a multi-cultural outlook and extensive international experience gained from working across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.