Persistent Systems, a global leader in digital engineering and enterprise modernisation, has announced the appointment of Hari S. Abhyankar as Executive Vice President and Global Head of Private Equity and Professional Services. This strategic move aims to strengthen the company’s focus on AI-led transformation for private equity firms and their portfolio companies.
As private equity firms increasingly emphasise AI-led transformation and compress value-creation cycles, the demand for execution partners capable of delivering rapid results is growing. Persistent is enhancing its focus in this sector by leveraging its engineering-led capabilities, AI expertise, and platform-driven approach to support investors and their portfolio companies from diligence through to value realisation.
In his new role, Hari will lead Persistent’s global strategy and growth across private equity investors, their portfolio companies, and professional services organisations. He will collaborate closely with clients to accelerate revenue growth, enable platform modernisation, and drive faster realisation of transformation priorities across portfolios, while also expanding EBITDA through improved operational efficiency and value creation.
Hari brings over 25 years of experience at the intersection of strategy, technology, and business transformation. Previously, he served as a Partner at McKinsey & Company, advising leading technology companies and global enterprises on corporate strategy, large-scale transformation, and revenue acceleration initiatives. After McKinsey, he worked with AI-native startups, focusing on scaling technology-led innovation and next-generation operating models.
Sandeep Kalra, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Persistent, highlighted the strategic importance of private equity for the company, stating, ‘Private equity is a strategic growth engine for Persistent. As investors push for faster value creation across their portfolios, the ability to move from strategy to execution at speed becomes critical. This is where Persistent stands apart. We combine engineering depth, AI-led platforms, and execution discipline to deliver results that matter, from accelerating growth to improving operating margins and enabling exit readiness. Hari’s experience strengthens our ability to deepen our engagement with private equity firms and drive sustained performance across their portfolios.’
Hari S. Abhyankar expressed his enthusiasm about joining Persistent, saying, ‘Private equity firms are operating in an environment where value creation needs to be faster, more predictable, and more technology-driven than ever before. This requires a fundamentally different approach, one that integrates strategy with execution and scales results across the portfolio. Persistent’s engineering-led DNA and focus on AI-driven transformation position it strongly to address this need. I look forward to working with our clients and partners to accelerate portfolio performance and deliver measurable business results.’
Disclaimer: This article is based on a regulatory filing submitted to the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE).