- Mr. Diwakar Singhal, SVP & Global business leader of Manufacturing, Genpact
1. Please share an overview of your company's journey and business landscape in India
Genpact’s story began in 1997 as a bold initiative within GE Capital, starting with just 20 people committed to redefining business process services. In 2005, it spun off from GE, harnessing its unparalleled expertise to support a global clientele, with a strong emphasis on finance, accounting, and data-tech-AI transformation solutions. Over the years, Genpact has also expanded its focus to include sustainability offerings, adding another dimension to its impact.
Today, Genpact is an advanced technology services and solutions company that delivers lasting value for leading enterprises globally. Through our deep business knowledge, operational excellence, and cutting-edge solutions, our teams use data, technology, and AI to create tomorrow, today. With significant presence In India, Genpact operates from key locations such as Bangalore, Chennai, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kolkata, Madurai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Noida, Pune, and Warangal.
A standout leader in this success story is Diwakar Singhal, global business leader for the manufacturing vertical—Genpact’s largest and fastest-growing unit.
A chemical engineering graduate from Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, and a post graduate diploma holder in industrial management from IIM Mumbai (formerly NITIE), Diwakar’s career has been defined by a commitment to transformation. Starting at Xerox in sales and supply chain roles, Diwakar joined GE early on, becoming one of the foundational figures at Genpact. He played a pivotal role in embedding Six Sigma into the company’s DNA as part of the former CEO’s black belt team. Over the years, his leadership has driven transformation across functions like finance, supply chain, procurement, IT, and analytics. He has been instrumental in Genpact’s growth, expanding its footprint both within India, particularly Jaipur, and internationally, including China. Today, he leads a diversified portfolio spanning Oil & Gas, Automotive, Utilities, Aerospace, and Chemicals & Materials, driving 15% year-over-year growth in the manufacturing vertical.
Beyond his role at Genpact, Diwakar contributes to the broader industry as a Board Member of IIM Mumbai and the Rajasthan Venture Capital Fund (RVCF) and serves on Nasscom’s BPM Council. His leadership reflects Genpact’s vision of fostering innovation, driving growth, and delivering impact through advanced technology on a global scale.
2. As a business leader, how do you see the emerging opportunities and potential growth areas for your company or sector in India?
Manufacturing companies worldwide are grappling with economic uncertainties driven by fluctuating market demands, geopolitical disruptions of global supply chains, mounting tariff pressures, and fears of recession. In response, manufacturers are reimagining their target operating models and supply chains to enhance resilience and flexibility, with private investments increasingly focused on cost rationalization and efficiency improvement. While regional nuances exist, there’s a clear global trend toward financial prudence and consolidation. At the same time, global firms are adopting advanced technologies such as AI, and automation—including chatbots for customer service, robotic process automation for data entry, and machine learning for data analysis—to drive faster turnaround times, boost accuracy, and reduce operational costs.
However, the rapid pace of this digital revolution has also heightened concerns around data security, with incidents of breaches underscoring the importance of robust data privacy, governance, responsible use of AI, and cybersecurity strategies to keep up with compliance frameworks like GDPR and CCPA. But access to skilled labor remains a constant struggle for manufacturers. The solution? Outsource key functions to harness collective AI capabilities through partnership.
And this is where we come in. With meaningful change management strategies and adoption of advanced technologies to scale operations at speed, we collaborate with manufacturers to build resilient, efficient ecosystems that drive value with AI-led solutions to manage risk and disruption.
3. Looking ahead, how do you see innovation and sustainable business practices shaping your company's growth strategy?
The rapid pace of technological advancement is creating new avenues for innovation and growth, and Genpact is at the forefront of helping industry players navigate these disruptions. By leveraging our deep domain experience and advanced technologies, we help clients not only stay prepared for change but also capitalize on emerging opportunities through sustainable business practices. In today’s unpredictable environment, manufacturing clients require reliable partners who can deliver consistent, measurable results. Genpact’s results-focused approach and AI-powered solutions align with our clients’ strategic objectives. Backed by robust methodologies and a proven track record, we believe true transformation demands a holistic, integrated approach—encompassing people, processes, technology, data, and insights. In a world where change is the only constant, adaptability is critical. And Genpact empowers companies to remain agile and responsive. Our flexible, scalable solutions enable rapid adjustment to shifting market conditions, enabling a sustained competitive edge. Central to this transformation is data—Genpact harnesses advanced analytics to generate actionable insights that guide decision-making, reveal hidden opportunities, optimize operations, and deliver superior outcomes.
4. With an increasing emphasis on CSR, how do you integrate your CSR goals with your business strategy?
At Genpact, we build forward-thinking, people-focused teams equipped to solve today’s challenges and anticipate tomorrow’s opportunities. Our commitment to sustainability drives practices that support the planet while delivering measurable value to our clients. Trusted by Fortune 500 and Forbes Global 2000 companies, we take pride in fostering long-term partnerships that fuel growth and innovation.
By embedding advanced technologies like AI into operations, we empower our clients to stay ahead of industry shifts and achieve meaningful transformation. Sustainability remains central to our vision, influencing supply chain strategies, investment decisions, and daily operations for global manufacturing leaders. At Genpact, we are passionate about redefining industry standards and delivering solutions that create lasting impact.
5. How has IFCCI and its business network added value to your operations in India?
Joining IFCCI has been a pivotal step in expanding our industry insights and building strategic opportunities. It’s deepened our understanding of key sectors such as aerospace, defense, energy, and utilities while sharpening our focus on critical areas like logistics, supply chain, and technology. Through this platform, we’ve forged valuable connections with senior executives at leading French companies, opening doors to meaningful collaborations and future growth.
IFCCI has also bolstered Genpact’s brand presence, providing a platform to showcase our innovative AI-led solutions to a wider business audience. It’s enabled us to demonstrate our expertise, engage with key stakeholders, and reinforce our position as a trusted ally in driving transformation and delivering impactful outcomes.