Tech Mahindra president: UK needs less hesitation, more conviction
Each week, we dig into the memory bank of the City’s great and good. Today, Tech Mahindra president Harshul Asnani, who returned to London after almost 20 years in Silicon Valley, takes us through his career in Square Mile and Me
CV
- Name: Harshul Asnani
- Job title: President and head of Europe Business at Tech Mahindra
- Previous roles: Global leadership roles in technology across telecom, Hitech and enterprise transformation in the US and Europe
- Born: India
- Lives: London
- Studied: Engineering and Business
- Motto: Stay curious
- Biggest perk of the job? The people and perspectives you encounter across industries and countries
- Coffee order: Flat white
- Cocktail order: Old Fashioned
- Favourite book: “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran
What was your first job?
My first ‘real’ job was on a factory shop floor as a mechanical engineer. It was in the guts of a manufacturing business, where nothing is theoretical and everything either works or doesn’t.
What was your first role in tech?
I started in tech in the mid‑nineties selling computer hardware, which was back when the industry still felt like frontier territory. It taught me that behind every “seamless experience” is usually an exhausted sales engineer holding it together.
When did you know you wanted to build a career in tech?
After business school I had options across industries, and functions, but tech won. The mix of innovation and real client relationships felt like the right kind of chaos.
What’s one thing you love about Canada?
Its density. The City is ambition, culture, heritage and great food all packed into a few square miles.
And one thing you would change?
London occasionally underestimates itself. We talk about innovation as if it happens elsewhere first. In reality, the UK is world‑class in research, financial innovation, AI governance and global talent. A little less hesitation, a little more conviction.
What’s been your most memorable business lunch?
There have been many, but the memorable ones are rarely the ones that are choreographed. Some of the best business conversations happen after the formal agenda ends, when people stop presenting and start speaking honestly. I’ve seen billion-dollar decisions become clearer over a simple dinner because trust finally entered the room.
And any business faux pas?
Early in my career, I once walked into a meeting absolutely convinced I had the smartest answer in the room. Within 10 minutes, I realised I had misunderstood the client’s actual problem entirely. It was a useful lesson: intelligence is overrated if you’re solving the wrong problem.
What’s been your proudest moment?
Watching people I’ve worked with grow into exceptional leaders. Revenue milestones fade; seeing your team take flight doesn’t.
And who do you look up to?
Professionally, anyone who can operate at scale without losing their humanity. Personally, people who stay intellectually curious regardless of seniority. Those who don’t stop growing the moment they think they’ve “arrived”.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever been given?
“Don’t optimise for the next title, optimise for learning velocity.” It sounded abstract at the time; it turned out to be spot on.
And the worst?
“Stay in your lane.” The most interesting careers are usually built by people who ignored that advice responsibly.
Are you optimistic for the year ahead?
Yes, cautiously. There’s economic uncertainty, geopolitical complexity and AI disruption all at once. But beneath that, industries are transforming and Europe is innovating. We’re moving from AI theatre to AI execution, which is exactly where value gets created.
We’re going for lunch, and you’re picking – where are we going?
Zaika on Kensington High Street. Great vibes and food to die for.
And if we’re grabbing a drink after work?
The Eagle at the Rosewood, Chancery Lane. It has excellent drinks and a view that reminds you why London works.
Where’s home during the week?
London. Though with international business, airports occasionally feel like a second address.
And where might we find you at the weekend?
Exploring London, reading or occasionally escaping to Europe for some great outdoors. And whenever possible, avoiding anything that resembles a schedule, which is a surprisingly underrated luxury.
You’ve got a well-deserved two weeks off. Where are you going and who with?
Somewhere deep in the Himalayas with a group of old college friends, the kind who make even altitude feel lighter.