Azim Premji

Founder Chairman, Wipro Limited

Birth DetailsJuly 24, 1945 | Mumbai

NationalityIndian

LeagueBusiness Leader

EducationElectrical Engineering, Stanford University

Net Worth$6.1 billion (as of May 15, 2020)

Azim Premji's Assets:

Wipro Ltd
Premji Invest
Azim Premji Foundation (non-profit)

Azim Premji's Journey so far ...

In 1966, a 21-year-old Azim Hasham Premji had to abort engineering studies in Stanford University when he was forced to return to India following his father’s death.
Premji Senior ran a hydrogenated fat company called Western Indian Vegetable Products Ltd. which Azim had to take over on his return
He soon began diversifying the product range of the company including light bulbs, soaps, toiletries, hydraulic cylinders, etc. to its offerings
The company was renamed as Wipro in 1977
During the 1980s he shifted his focus primarily to computers/technology, and Wipro started manufacturing computer hardware in collaboration with several international companies
After manufacturing microcomputers in partnership with Sentinel Computers, the company soon began developing software solutions as well
Wipro soon became a well-known name in the industry and started exporting software solutions to the US market
In the 1990s, the company further diversified its portfolio and became one of the frontrunners in the IT hardware and offshore IT services sector
As technology boomed, Wipro’s stocks became highly valuable during the late ‘90s, making Azim Premji a billionaire and one of the richest persons in India by the end of the decade.
In July 2019, Premji stepped down as the chairman and managing director of the company at the age of 74
In his tenure, he turned a $2 million cooking oil business into a $25 billion multinational conglomerate
He has been honoured with the prestigious Padma Bhushan in 2005 and Padma Vibhushan in 2011 for his contributions to the Indian business sector
As of March 31, 2020, the Premji family owns 74.04% shares of Wipro Ltd.

The Joy of Giving ...

In 2001, he established the Azim Premji Foundation, a non-profit organiszation, to encourage quality education in India. The Foundation works in 7 states and has over 3,50,000 schools
Premji assumed the position of CEO in 2005 after the exit of longtime CEO Vivek Paul
He pledged to donate $2 billion to the Azim Premji Foundation in 2010, which was the biggest donation of its kind in India at that time
In March 2019, he made another donation of 34% shares (amounting to $7.5 billion) to the foundation. With this, his total endowment rose to $21 billion, which was one of the five largest donations in the world and the largest in Asia at the time, marking his place amongst renowned philanthropists such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet
He is the first Indian to sign the Giving Pledge

Before you go ...

After a long, unplanned break which began in 1966, he finally completed his engineering degree from Stanford in 1999
During India’s Partition in 1947-48, his father was invited by Muhammad Ali Jinnah to shift base to Pakistan which he declined
He considers the late JRD Tata as his role model

Last Updated: 15/02/2021

Azim Premji News

Under Pallia’s leadership, we are in for a bright future together: Wipro chairmanWipro chairman Rishad Premji expresses confidence in new CEO Srini Pallia's leadership, foreseeing a bright future for the IT services company under Pallia's guidance.
Former deputy election commission advocates separate budget and secretariat for ECI to increase autonomyFormer deputy election commissioner Vinod Zutshi emphasized the need for the Election Commission of India (ECI) to have a separate budget instead of grants from the Consolidated Fund of India. He highlighted the Commission's long-standing demands for autonomy, including an independent secretariat. Despite recent controversies, Zutshi acknowledged the increased independence of the electoral body today. He also addressed the transparency concerns in the appointment of Commissioners and the credibility of the election process in India.
Bengal police to bring one of key suspects in Bangla MP's murder from Nepal to KolkataWest Bengal CID will bring a key suspect in the murder of Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim Anar from Nepal to Kolkata. Muhammed Siyam Hussain, who allegedly fled to Nepal after the murder, was apprehended last Thursday. The decision to transfer him to Indian authorities is due to the murder occurring within Kolkata's jurisdiction. Efforts to locate the missing MP's body parts and investigate his disappearance continue.
Wipro's majority public shareholders oppose ex-CEO Delaporte's $4.33 million severanceAt least 78.4% of the Azim Premji-led IT major's public shareholders or 10.31% of overall shareholders voted against the cash compensation awarded to Delaporte, showed the voting records published on BSE on Thursday.
Dalal St is likely pricing in a Modi 3.0 but election winners already have a bitter household burdenIndia's stock market hit an all-time high last week, as investors anticipate a third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi will boost corporate profits. However, consumer debt poses a significant risk. Slow wage growth, high interest rates, and heavy borrowing have strained spending for over 300 million families. Despite this, investors expect post-election growth in private capital expenditure and infrastructure projects
Bangladesh MP Murder: Detective chief says conspirator may have escaped to US, seeks Interpol's help to track down suspectThe primary suspect in the murder of Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim Anar, Akhtaruzzaman Shaheen, is believed to have escaped to the US via Dubai from Kathmandu. Bangladesh is seeking Interpol's assistance in apprehending him, emphasizing the seriousness of the crime. The murder, motivated by a dispute over proceeds from a gold smuggling racket, led to the victim's body parts being dismembered and disposed of in Bagjola canal near Kolkata. Authorities are coordinating with Indian counterparts to track down suspects.
Businessman-friend Shahin key suspect in MP Anwarul Azim Anar's murder in Kolkata: Bangladesh home ministerBangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan claimed that businessman Akhtaruzzaman Shahin is the key suspect in the murder of parliamentarian Anwarul Azim Anar and his ministry was working with India and the US to get and put him on trial for the alleged crime.
Bangladesh MP murder: Police arrest butcher; takes his help to locate body partsThe West Bengal CID arrested a butcher in Bongaon for allegedly assisting in the murder and dismemberment of Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim Anar. The victim's body parts were found scattered, and the investigation revealed a murder plot involving multiple accomplices.
'Bangladesh MP Strangulated, cut into pieces, flesh segregated from bones': Police reveal gruesome details of alleged murder; one detainedThe West Bengal Crime Investigation Department (CID) detained a suspect on Thursday evening in connection with the alleged murder of Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim Anar. According to a PTI report, authorities suspect that the MP was "lured" into a flat in New Town by a woman and subsequently killed by contract killers.
Wipro’s Rishad Premji takes pay cut, ex CEO Delaporte takes home $20 mnWipro executive chairman Rishad Premji declined variable pay for the second consecutive year due to negative profit growth. He took a 20% pay cut, earning $769,456 in FY24. Former CEO Thierry Delaporte became the highest-paid IT sector CEO with $20.11 million in compensation for FY24, including a $11 million separation payment upon resignation.
Bangladesh MP's friend paid Rs 5 crore to murder him: West Bengal CIDAn investigation into the murder of Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim Anar revealed that a friend paid Rs 5 crore for the killing. Anar, missing since May 13 in Kolkata, was found murdered. Three arrests were made in connection with the case.
Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim from Sheikh Hasina's party killed in Kolkata; 3 persons arrested so farIn a mysterious case, a Bangladeshi MP from the country’s ruling Awami League party was found dead on May 22 in Kolkata. Awami League leader Anwarul Azim, who visited Kolkata for treatment, has allegedly been missing since May 13. The deceased MP entered India on May 12 and was last seen on May 13, when he met his friends in Bidhannagar. As per Daily Star, Bangladesh HM Asaduzzaman Khan said that Bangladesh Police have arrested 3 persons in the case. While the minister had no clue about the dead body of the deceased MP, he called it a “planned murder”. Bangladesh Minister at the embassy in Delhi stated that the Bangladeshi authorities haven’t received any information from GoI. He further said that the murder might not affect India-Bangladesh ties, calling it a ‘probable personal matter’.Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim from Sheikh Hasina's party killed in Kolkata; 3 persons arrested so far
Bengal CID confirm Bangladeshi MP's 'murder' but is yet to recover victim's bodyBangladesh MP Md Anwarul Azim Anwar was brutally murdered in Kolkata. The West Bengal police CID is investigating the case, suspecting he may have been killed. The victim's body is yet to be recovered, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the motive behind the murder. Anwar's acquaintance Gopal Biswas filed a missing diary, triggering the investigation.
Missing Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim Anar found dead in Kolkata, CID takes over caseBangladesh MP Anwarul Azim Anar killing | Akhilesh Kumar Chaturvedi, CID IG says "Anwarul Azim Anar visited here was missing since 13th May, her daughter tried to contact her but she failed. After which a missing complaint was registered here at Baranagar PS. An SIT was formed to start an investigation and in the meantime, West Bengal Govt got a letter from MEA to investigate this case. Today, we got an input that he has been murdered. We are trying our level best to solve this case. CID is investigating this matter..."Missing Bangladesh MP Anwarul Azim Anar found dead in Kolkata, CID takes over case
Missing Bangladeshi MP Anwarul Azim killed in Kolkata, Bangladesh police arrest threeAnwarul Azim, a Member of Parliament from Bangladesh's ruling party, who went missing on May 18, was found dead in Kolkata. Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan confirmed the death, stating that the MP was killed in Kolkata and that three Bangladeshis have been arrested in connection with the murder. Azim, who entered India on May 12, was last seen on May 13 in Bidhannagar near Kolkata. Concerns grew when he failed to maintain contact, leading to a missing person complaint and subsequent investigation.
Bangladesh MP goes missing in KolkataAn MP from Bangladesh, Anwarul Azim Anar, has been missing since May 13 after arriving in Kolkata for medical treatment on May 12, according to a senior official from the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata. Anar, a member of Bangladesh's ruling Awami League, was staying at a friend's place in Baranagar when he disappeared after going to meet someone.
Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath on parenthood: 'Don't want to ruin 20 years of my life babysitting'Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath recently shared his unconventional take on parenthood and legacy on his podcast, WTF. Kamath challenges traditional views, questioning the necessity of having children to carry on a legacy. He emphasizes living well and social responsibility over seeking posthumous recognition. Kamath's commitment to philanthropy, exemplified by joining The Giving Pledge, reflects his values, inspiring others to reconsider societal norms.
Premji Invest eyes Nainital Bank stake; Ranjan Pai may back RupeekHappy Friday! Azim Premji’s family office is eyeing a majority stake in Bank of Baroda-owned Nainital Bank. This and more in today’s packed edition of ETtech Morning Dispatch.
Premji Invest in talks to pick up big stake in Bank of Baroda’s Nainital BankPremji Invest in talks to acquire majority stake in Nainital Bank at around Rs 800 crore. Public sector lender Bank of Baroda, which owns around 98% of Nainital Bank, is expected to divest its entire shareholding
Azim Premji, Rishad reappointed to Wipro board for 5 yearsIT services company Wipro on Friday reported an 8% year-on-year (YoY) fall in consolidated net profit to Rs 2,835 crore for the quarter ended March 2024. It was Rs 3,074 crore in the last year quarter.
Wipro reappoints Azim Premji as non-executive, non-independent director; Rishad Premji as whole-time directorWipro's board of directors has reappointed Azim H. Premji as Non-Executive, non-independent director of the company while re-appointing Rishad A. Premji as the whole-time director for a period of five years with effect from July 31, 2024, to July 30, 2029.
Bengaluru's water crisis is set to deepen as K'taka struggles with depleting resources, businesses hitKarnataka, particularly Bengaluru, is grappling with a severe water crisis, exacerbated by erratic monsoon patterns and rapid urbanization. The situation has garnered national attention, impacting both residents and businesses. This article explores the causes of the crisis, its effects on Bengaluru, and the urgent need for sustainable water management practices.
Wipro GE Healthcare to invest Rs 8,000 crore on manufacturing, R&D in next 5 yearsWipro GE Healthcare has announced a strategic investment of over $1 billion in local manufacturing and R&D over the next 5 years. The investment aims to bolster the company's manufacturing footprint and address the growing domestic and international market, exporting products to 15 countries. The move aligns with India's position as a global MedTech innovation and manufacturing hub.
ET Awards 2023 | Jury Speaks - Rishad PremjiRishad Premji, Executive Chairman, Wipro shares his insights on how to effectively leverage AI.ET Awards 2023 | Jury Speaks - Rishad Premji
Premji Invest-backed Gold Plus Glass files DRHP for IPO; fresh issue size Rs 500 croreThe IPO comprises a fresh issue of shares worth Rs 500 crore, and an offer for sale of 1.57 crore shares by two promoters – Suresh Tyagi and Jimmy Tyagi – besides Premji Invest-owned PI Opportunities Fund I, and Kotak Special Situations Fund.
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