Gurugram, Haryana, India, September 2024 — NatWest Group India has announced the appointment of Ruchika Panesar as the new Head of India Operations, effective September 26, 2024. Panesar, who previously served as Vice President and Global Head of Enterprise Communications and Marketing Technology at American Express, brings over 23 years of experience in the fintech and payments sector to her new role. She succeeds Punit Sood, who is set to retire by the end of September.
As part of her new responsibilities, Panesar will oversee NatWest’s India operations, which constitute about 20% of the company’s global workforce. NatWest’s India office plays a pivotal role in the firm’s global operations, with half of its India workforce engaged in technology and data analytics, driving around 50% of the company’s global tech operations.
Panesar will also lead strategic initiatives to enhance digital customer experiences and drive innovation, leveraging her expertise in global technology transformation, AI, and Generative AI. She will chair the India Management Committee and report directly to Scott Marcar, NatWest Group’s Chief Information Officer.
Scott Marcar, Chief Information Officer at NatWest Group, expressed his confidence in Panesar, stating, “With over 17,000 employees across our three locations in India, this role is critical to our success.”
Commenting on her new role, Panesar stated, “This is a tremendous opportunity to advance the bank’s digital and strategic capabilities while continuing to deliver exceptional service to our customers. I look forward to collaborating with the talented teams in India and globally to achieve our ambitious goals.”
In addition, NatWest recently inaugurated a new office in Bengaluru, which will serve as a hub for technology solutions and developments. The new facility spans 370,000 square feet over 11 floors and is part of the firm’s broader goal of recruiting 3,000 software engineers by 2026.
NatWest Group is a UK-based relationship bank with operations across the world. The Group has a significant technology and data analytics presence in India, with the country serving as one of its two major engineering hubs. NatWest’s mission is to deliver exceptional banking services, supported by cutting-edge digital solutions, to customers around the globe.
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