Headline

Global CDIO | Founder & Business Builder | AI, Digital & Business Transformation | Strategy to GTM to Scale | Building Organisations for the AI Era

About

I started my career when the internet was still finding its place in business. While many were discovering Hotmail and Yahoo, I was building e-learning platforms and exploring what the web could become. That journey took me through Microsoft learning solutions, product development, SAP and enterprise technology, then into energy, IoT, analytics, automation, cybersecurity, digital transformation and now AI. Today, as Global CDIO at Potentiam and a Founder Director, I work at the intersection of business, technology, AI, people and execution. I have helped build and scale international capability across the UK, India, South Africa, Romania and Brazil. That has taught me that building a business is rarely just a technology problem. It is about finding the opportunity, understanding the customer, shaping the proposition, building the right team and operating model, taking it to market, winning trust and then creating the capability to scale. Technology creates possibilities. Execution creates businesses. The questions that interest me now are increasingly founder and board-level questions: • Where can AI create real competitive advantage? • How do you turn an idea into something customers will buy? • How do you build the GTM and sales strategy around it? • What technology, talent and operating model should sit behind it? • What should AI automate, and what should humans continue to own? • How do you scale globally without scaling complexity? I enjoy connecting those pieces. Strategy to proposition. Proposition to GTM. GTM to customers. Technology to execution. Talent to capability. Capability to scale. My perspective comes from having worked across both technology and business. From software engineering and enterprise architecture to transformation, global operations, capability building and leadership. Earlier in my career, I worked with Accenture and Centrica across energy technology, smart grid, IoT, analytics and transformation. Today, much of my thinking is focused on how AI changes not just technology, but products, operating models, work and competitive advantage. I am less interested in technology for technology’s sake. I am interested in building things that work commercially, operationally and at scale. The AI era is creating opportunities that will not fit neatly into traditional functions or job descriptions. They will require people who can connect business strategy, technology, customers, talent and execution. Those are the problems I find most interesting. And often, the best opportunities begin with a conversation.

Location

Bengaluru

Work experience

Global Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO) at Potentiam Ltd, Feb 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 7 mos, London Area, United Kingdom, As Global Chief Digital & Information Officer at Potentiam Ltd., I lead global technology, digital transformation, AI, cybersecurity and information strategy across the UK, India, South Africa, Romania and Brazil. My mandate extends beyond traditional IT leadership. I build technology capabilities, digital operating models and globally distributed teams that enable growth, innovation, efficiency and secure international expansion. I have played a central role in establishing and scaling Potentiam’s international technology capability, building the infrastructure, cybersecurity, governance and digital foundations required to support new markets and globally distributed teams. Key areas of leadership: • Global technology and digital strategy, aligning technology investment with business growth and client outcomes. • Building and scaling technology capabilities across India, South Africa, Romania and Brazil, integrating distributed teams into a cohesive global operating model. • AI transformation, including generative AI, intelligent automation, AI-enabled applications and practical adoption of LLM technologies. • Development of enterprise applications, digital platforms, API-driven architectures and automation solutions. • Cybersecurity, information security, technology risk and resilience, embedding security-by-design across infrastructure, applications and AI initiatives. • Establishing technology foundations for international offices, including cloud, networks, identity, collaboration and enterprise applications. • Building and leading cross-functional teams across software engineering, AI, automation, data and digital operations. • Driving AI literacy and responsible adoption of emerging technologies to improve productivity, decision-making and service delivery. • Developing business continuity, disaster recovery and security governance capabilities to support resilient international growth.

Company Director at Potentiam Ltd, Jul 2019 - Present · 7 yrs 2 mos, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, Shafeequr Rahman is the Director at Potentiam Ltd, bringing over 25 years of experience at the intersection of technology, operations, and global delivery. He has a proven track record in establishing and scaling Global Capability Centers (GCCs), aligning technology, people, and processes to drive sustainable business growth. With a foundation in software engineering and deep expertise in enterprise applications, Shafeequr has led large-scale implementations across ecosystems involving third-party vendors, enterprise clients, and global service partners. His leadership spans industries including software, publishing, e-learning, ERP, and energy—where he has built high-performing tech teams, defined product and platform strategies, and delivered business-critical solutions. As a strategic communicator and relationship builder, Shafeequr has collaborated closely with global organizations such as Microsoft, Bloomberg, SAP, Accenture to name a few. At Potentiam, he led the setup and operational leadership of the company’s India GCC, which now serves as a core technology and service delivery hub supporting clients across the UK and Europe. Prior to Potentiam, Shafeequr was Co-Founder of EnergyQuote, where he was instrumental in building its India-based GCC—establishing offshore operations, developing a 50+ engineer software team, and delivering applications that supported the company’s energy business for over a decade. His efforts contributed directly to the company’s successful growth and eventual acquisition by Accenture.

Vice President of Technology at Potentiam Ltd, Jul 2019 - Feb 2024 · 4 yrs 8 mos, Bengaluru Area, India, Shafeequr Rahman is the Vice President of Technology at Potentiam Ltd, leveraging over 22 years of experience in aligning technology, processes, and people to drive business success. With a strong foundation in software engineering, enterprise applications, and global operations, he has led large-scale digital initiatives and enterprise-wide implementations across third-party partnerships, vendors, and clients. As a seasoned leader and relationship builder, Shafeequr has worked closely with top-tier companies including Microsoft, Bloomberg, SAP, and Accenture. His industry-spanning leadership—in software, publishing, e-learning, ERP, and energy—has seen him build and scale high-performing technology teams, define impactful product strategies, and deliver innovative, business-aligned solutions. At Potentiam, Shafeequr played a pivotal role in setting up and leading the company’s Global Capability Center (GCC) in India, which now serves as a strategic offshore hub for technology, finance, and service delivery. The GCC under his leadership has developed and deployed software platforms, AI tools, and automation solutions that support Potentiam’s global client base across the UK, Europe, and South Africa. Previously, he was Co-Founder of EnergyQuote, where he was instrumental in establishing a high-performing GCC in India, building a 50+ engineer software team, and developing enterprise applications that supported the energy business for over a decade. His leadership was central to the company’s sustained growth and its eventual acquisition by Accenture.

Vice President of Technology | Avanade at Accenture, Jan 2012 - Jul 2019 · 7 yrs 7 mos, United States, Shafeequr Rahman led Software Delivery for Accenture’s Global Energy Business, following the acquisition of EnergyQuote, where he was Co-Founder. With over 20 years of experience in the high-velocity, competitive software landscape, he has demonstrated proven expertise in delivering enterprise-grade software solutions, managing global technology projects, and overseeing support service operations. His role involved end-to-end leadership across solution architecture, project execution, and stakeholder engagement—serving energy sector clients with precision, reliability, and scale.

Co-Founder and Head of Service Delivery UK | INDIA at EnergyQuote JHA, Jan 2010 - Dec 2011 · 2 yrs, London, United Kingdom, As Co-Founder of EnergyQuote JHA, Shafeequr Rahman was responsible for setting up and leading the company’s Global Capability Center (GCC) in India, which served as a critical offshore hub supporting the organization’s global energy business. His leadership spanned across business operations, software development, talent strategy, and client engagement—playing a central role in scaling the business during its growth phase and eventual acquisition by Accenture. GCC Leadership & Core Responsibilities: • Business Operations: Directed day-to-day management and long-term operational strategy for the India GCC, ensuring alignment with global goals. • Software Product Development & Delivery: Oversaw the development of enterprise-grade energy applications using Microsoft technologies and SAP. • Program Development: Led the design and execution of strategic programs across technology, service delivery, and business operations. • Client & Vendor Relations: Managed end-to-end contract negotiations and strategic partnerships with clients and vendors globally. • Policy & Procedure Formulation: Defined operational standards, compliance frameworks, and best practices to support scale and quality. • GCC Team Building & Leadership: Built and scaled a high-performance team of 50+ engineers and operational staff; led hiring, onboarding, and leadership development. • Talent Management & Succession Planning: Drove campus recruitment, workforce mobility, career pathing, and organizational development. • Training & Development: Established continuous learning frameworks and upskilling programs. • Innovation: Fostered a culture of innovation focused on digital tools, automation, and customer-centric software. • Human Resource Management: Led HR functions within the GCC including policy design, performance management, and employee engagement. • External Relations: Acted as the primary representative of the India GCC for external stakeholders, clients, and industry forums.

Co-Founder and Head Software Delivery and Business Operations USA | INDIA at Applexus Technologies, Jun 2008 - Dec 2009 · 1 yr 7 mos, As Co-Founder, Shafeequr Rahman led the incubation and launch of Applexus Technologies’ Global Capability Center in India, playing a critical role in establishing the company’s offshore presence and integrating it with global operations in the U.S. His leadership spanned across business operations, delivery excellence, team building, and enterprise process implementation Key GCC Leadership Responsibilities: • Business Operations & Delivery: Oversaw the setup and operational leadership of the India GCC, managing delivery of both software products and services across geographies. • Process Excellence: Introduced and implemented CMMI Level 5 processes end-to-end, training the senior team and rolling out practices across all India and U.S. projects. • Project Management: Recruited and built the India delivery team by evaluating both technical and soft skills; developed project plans, SRS documentation, and delivery timelines. • Technology Leadership: Directed service delivery in SAP technologies, including ABAP, BI, and Basis. • Strategic & Tactical Planning: Played a key role in defining long-term goals, operational plans, and alignment of India operations with U.S. strategy. • Business Development & Sales: Actively engaged in new business acquisition, sales enablement, and positioning the India GCC as a value center. • Talent Management & Succession Planning: Built talent pipelines, drove mobility strategies, and laid out leadership development paths within the GCC. • Training & Development: Established foundational training programs to build skill depth and process maturity. • Financial Oversight: Managed P&L responsibilities and financial reporting for the India operations. • Contract Negotiations & Vendor Management: Led negotiations with clients and vendors, ensuring strategic alignment and operational efficiency. • Policy & Governance: Defined internal policies, compliance structures, and operational guidelines to support scale and sustainability.

Project Manager at Microsoft, Feb 2006 - Jun 2008 · 2 yrs 5 mos, Redmond, Oregon, United States

Education

Leadership, Artificial Intelligence, Indian School of Business

Master of Business Administration (MBA), Information Technology, National Institute of Business Management (NIBM) Global