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Enterprise AI Strategy
Define business priorities, AI opportunity areas, governance requirements and the portfolio roadmap that ties model investments to enterprise outcomes.
Sunil Pandey
Chief AI & Digital Officer · Group CIO · HFCL
Chief AI & Digital Officer, Group CIO — HFCL Limited.
Nearly three decades leading enterprise technology, digital transformation, AI adoption and cybersecurity across manufacturing, telecom, defence communications, EPC and renewable energy.
Career narrative
Sunil Pandey is Chief AI & Digital Officer and Group CIO at HFCL Limited (elevated to CAIDO in June 2025 after joining as CIO in March 2021), where he leads a ₹42 Cr technology budget and a 51-member team serving ~2,700 users across telecom product manufacturing and defence communications. His current mandate spans SAP RISE, ISO 27001 & 27701 certification, Responsible AI, Industry 4.0 and Digital Twin.
Earlier roles include Chief Information Officer at JWIL Infra Limited (2020–2021) and Sterlite Power (2018–2020), Business Unit IT Head at Adani Green Energy (2016–2018), founder of AgileApt Solutions (2015–2016) and Head of Applications at Moserbaer India Limited (2004–2015).
Philosophy
AI succeeds only when it is embedded into how the business operates — not when it is treated as a set of isolated experiments.
Signature Promise
Turn AI ambition into enterprise capability, governed execution and measurable business value.
Career Timeline
Named, dated roles — from Moserbaer to HFCL.
Jun 2025 — Present
Chief AI & Digital Officer (CAIDO)
HFCL Limited
₹42 Cr budget · 51-member team · ~2,700 users · SAP RISE, ISO 27001 & 27701, Responsible AI, Industry 4.0, Digital Twin
₹42 Cr budget · 51-member team · ~2,700 users · SAP RISE, ISO 27001 & 27701, Responsible AI, Industry 4.0, Digital Twin
Mar 2021 — Jun 2025
Chief Information Officer
HFCL Limited
SAP RISE implementation, cloud modernisation, ISO 27001 & 27701 certification
SAP RISE implementation, cloud modernisation, ISO 27001 & 27701 certification
2020 — 2021
Chief Information Officer
JWIL Infra Limited
360° digital visibility into EPC project execution
360° digital visibility into EPC project execution
2018 — 2020
Chief Information Officer
Sterlite Power
Standardised processes across 4 manufacturing plants
Standardised processes across 4 manufacturing plants
2016 — 2018
Business Unit IT Head (DGM-IT)
Adani Green Energy Ltd.
30+ solar sites · ₹2.1 Cr cost savings
30+ solar sites · ₹2.1 Cr cost savings
2015 — 2016
Founder & CEO
AgileApt Solutions
Built ProcurEngine SaaS · 7-figure revenue in 12 months
Built ProcurEngine SaaS · 7-figure revenue in 12 months
2004 — 2015
Head Applications (AGM IT)
Moserbaer India Limited
SAP ECC 6.0 · 40+ applications
SAP ECC 6.0 · 40+ applications
Core Competencies
Six disciplines that turn AI ambition into governed, scalable capability.
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AI Operating Model
Decision rights, ownership, funding, prioritisation, governance and adoption mechanisms — the operating muscles that make AI repeatable at scale.
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Digital Transformation
Process redesign, SAP S/4HANA, Dynamics 365 CRM, MES, analytics and workflow modernisation across the operating estate.
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Data & Decision Intelligence
Data foundations, dashboards, analytics, AI-enabled decisions and operational visibility that leaders need to move quickly with confidence.
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Cybersecurity & Digital Trust
Cybersecurity strategy, ISO 27001 & 27701, data protection, SOC/NOC operating models, compliance and risk posture for a trust-first digital enterprise.
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Innovation & Growth
AI-led productivity, new capabilities, SaaS and product experience design, and business growth orientation built around customer value.
Education & Credentials
Executive education at IIM-A, IIM-B and MIT — with a full technical foundation.
Leading Digital TransformationIIM Ahmedabad · 2022
Advance Corporate StrategyIIM Bangalore · 2022
Strategic ManagementIIM Bangalore · 2021
Professional Certificate in CybersecurityMIT xPRO · 2024
Master of Computer Applications (MCA)IGNOU · 2007
BSc Computer ScienceLucknow University · 1996
PMP · PMI-ACPProject Management Institute
Certified Scrum Master (CSM)Scrum Alliance
Six Sigma Green BeltMotorola University
In the Press
Career milestones covered by industry press.
Sunil's appointments have been independently covered by multiple industry outlets — most recently his elevation to Chief AI & Digital Officer at HFCL in June 2025.
Frequently Asked
Direct answers to the questions boards, search firms and journalists ask.
What is Sunil Pandey’s current role?
Chief AI & Digital Officer and Group CIO at HFCL Limited (elevated to CAIDO in June 2025 after joining as CIO in March 2021). He leads a ₹42 Cr technology budget and a 51-member team serving ~2,700 users.
What companies has Sunil Pandey worked for?
HFCL Limited (2021–present: CIO 2021–2025, CAIDO 2025–present), JWIL Infra Limited (2020–2021), Sterlite Power (2018–2020), Adani Green Energy (2016–2018), AgileApt Solutions (2015–2016, founder) and Moserbaer India Limited (2004–2015).
What is Sunil Pandey’s educational background?
Executive programmes at IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Bangalore; Professional Certificate in Cybersecurity from MIT xPRO; MCA from IGNOU; BSc Computer Science from Lucknow University. Certifications include PMP, PMI-ACP, CSM and Six Sigma Green Belt.
What does he focus on today?
Scaling AI as an enterprise operating discipline — strategy alignment, operating models, governance, capability, scale and institutionalisation — codified in his Enterprise AI Advantage Framework.