(Updated on Tuesday, 21 October 2025) Karthik Narain is an Indian technology leader who has made a global mark in digital transformation and cloud computing. He was born and raised in India and completed his higher education at Bharathidasan University. From an early age, Karthik was interested in science, technology, and business. His interest in problem-solving and innovation shaped his journey into the IT industry.
During his college years, he showed leadership qualities and analytical skills. These qualities later helped him succeed in global technology companies. His academic background gave him the foundation to understand both business needs and modern technology solutions. He also developed a mindset that combined innovation with practical business thinking, which became key to his later achievements.
Karthik Narain Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Wife, Family
Career
After completing his education, Karthik Narain began his professional career with Infosys, one of India’s top IT companies. He joined the company in June 2000 as a Senior Relationship Manager in the Financial Services division. At Infosys, he worked on complex projects for large capital market clients. These early experiences helped him understand global client expectations, teamwork, and technology delivery.
Karthik’s time at Infosys shaped his understanding of enterprise technology. He learned how big organizations use IT systems to improve operations and customer experience. His work ethic and leadership potential helped him gain recognition within the company.
Rise at HCL Technologies
In 2005, Karthik Narain moved to HCL Technologies, one of India’s leading technology companies. He worked there for ten years, serving as Vice President and Vertical Head for High Tech, Software & Platforms, and Automotive divisions. This was a turning point in his career. At HCL, he managed profit and loss responsibilities, handled global clients, and led large teams.
His leadership helped HCL strengthen its position in the global technology market. He learned to manage teams across different countries and deliver results under high competition. His work with technology and automotive clients gave him a deep understanding of digital transformation and industrial innovation.
Achievements
In January 2015, Karthik Narain joined Accenture, one of the world’s largest consulting and professional services firms. He started as Managing Director and Technology Lead for Communications, Media, High Tech, and Aerospace in North America. His fresh ideas and innovative approach quickly earned him senior leadership roles.
By 2017, he became Global Technology Lead and Senior Managing Director for Accenture’s Communications, Media, and High Tech sectors. His focus was to help companies adopt digital technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics. He pushed Accenture to build smarter systems and support clients in becoming more agile and data-driven.
Leadership
The year 2020 was an important year for Karthik Narain. During the global pandemic, Accenture launched a major new initiative called “Cloud First,” and Karthik was chosen to lead it. This was a big responsibility as the world was shifting rapidly to remote work and digital systems. Under his leadership, Accenture’s cloud team helped clients move their businesses online, improve cybersecurity, and adopt AI-driven systems.
Through this role, Karthik showed that cloud computing was not just a tool but a business strategy. His team worked with major platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. His leadership helped Accenture triple its cloud-certified talent and become one of the strongest players in cloud and AI globally.
Group Chief Executive
In 2023, Karthik Narain was appointed as the Group Chief Executive of Technology at Accenture. In this top role, he managed Accenture’s entire global technology organization, which covered cloud, AI, engineering, cybersecurity, and enterprise technology. He also became the Chairman of Avanade, a joint venture between Accenture and Microsoft.
During his tenure, Karthik supported the development of the Generative AI Center of Excellence at Accenture, which explored how AI could reshape industries. Under his vision, the company invested in technology innovation, talent development, and partnerships with global technology leaders. His approach balanced technology advancement with sustainable business growth.
Joining Google Cloud
On 21 October 2025, it was officially announced that Karthik Narain joined Google Cloud as its Chief Product and Business Officer. Google CEO Sundar Pichai personally welcomed him to the company. This marked a new chapter in Karthik’s professional journey. His experience with cloud, AI, and business strategy made him the perfect choice to guide Google Cloud’s product vision and business direction.
At Google Cloud, he now leads efforts in AI, data platforms, and enterprise technologies. His goal is to help Google Cloud become the first choice for companies transforming their operations through AI and the cloud. The industry widely praised this move as one of the most significant leadership changes in the global tech sector in 2025.
Achievements
Karthik Narain’s career is full of achievements that have shaped the digital world. He has contributed to several major transitions in how businesses use technology:
- Helped develop and lead the Cloud First initiative during COVID-19.
- Built strong technology partnerships across AWS, Microsoft, and Google Cloud.
- Guided teams of thousands of skilled technology professionals globally.
- Promoted the use of generative AI and data-driven business transformation.
- Served on Accenture’s Global Management Committee as a decision-maker for global strategy.
His clear vision and forward-thinking strategy helped Accenture remain a leader in consulting and technology services. His influence has inspired many young professionals in the technology field.
Personal Traits
Karthik Narain is known for his calm leadership style and strong focus on collaboration. He believes that technology should create positive value for both people and businesses. His approach is customer-focused, and he encourages innovation at every level. He is also a supporter of diversity, inclusion, and continuous learning in the workplace.
Even with his global recognition, Karthik remains humble. He credits teamwork and shared success as key reasons for his achievements. His colleagues describe him as a visionary who leads by example and promotes learning over hierarchy.
Legacy And Impact
Karthik Narain’s journey from India to global leadership reflects the story of determination, innovation, and lifelong learning. His career shows that strong roots, hard work, and continuous growth can open doors to global success. Whether at Infosys, HCL, Accenture, or Google, he has always focused on helping companies use technology to solve real problems.
Today, as a key leader at Google Cloud, he continues to inspire future generations of Indian technologists. His story encourages young people to dream big, embrace technology, and believe that global impact can begin from India.