Microsoft India has announced the appointment of Arun Kakatkar as its new Human Resources Leader, succeeding Ira Gupta. This marks Kakatkar’s second term with Microsoft, having previously served from January 2008 to October 2011. During his earlier tenure, Kakatkar held the position of Director – People & Organization Capability.

With over 26 years of extensive experience spanning various specialized functions, industries, and geographic locations, Kakatkar brings a wealth of seasoned leadership to his new role. His expertise encompasses business strategy, operations, strategic change management, people leadership, organization effectiveness, leadership development, and business leadership.

Prior to rejoining Microsoft, Kakatkar held a significant role as President / Chief of Strategy and Organization at Kalyani Group. His academic background includes a Master’s in Business Administration and a BE in Production Engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University.

In his new capacity as Human Resources Leader, Kakatkar is expected to leverage his multifaceted experience to drive organizational excellence, foster talent development, and support Microsoft India’s strategic objectives.

Kakatkar’s return to Microsoft underscores the company’s commitment to attracting top-tier talent and fostering leadership continuity within its ranks. His proven track record and diverse skill set position him well to lead the human resources function in one of Microsoft’s key markets.