Manappuram Finance Limited is turning a clearer spotlight on its digital ambitions with the appointment of Narayanan Easwaran as Group Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Senior Management Personnel, effective March 30, 2026. The move, approved by the board, positions Easwaran at the helm of the group’s technology strategy as it accelerates digital initiatives and strengthens IT governance across its businesses. In an era where financial services firms are racing to modernize platforms and customer experiences, the CTO role is being framed as a critical driver of growth and efficiency for the group.
Easwaran arrives with a track record spanning more than 25 years in banking technology and digital transformation. His career includes leadership roles at Equitas Small Finance Bank, IDFC First Bank, ICICI Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank, where he focused on technology strategy, digital initiatives, and IT governance. As Group CTO, he is expected to provide strategic technology leadership, fortify digital capabilities, and support Manappuram’s growth and transformation agenda across the holding company and its subsidiaries.
The leadership refresh comes against a broader board-level agenda that includes significant financial and strategic moves for FY 2026-27, such as a proposed borrowing program of up to Rs 7,400 crore through non-convertible debentures, and additional capital infusions into key subsidiaries: Asirvad Micro Finance Limited and Manappuram Home Finance Limited. Taken together, the changes underscore Manappuram’s emphasis on leveraging technology, capital, and disciplined governance to propel a digital-first path for its diverse lending and financial services footprint.