IndiaFirst Life has appointed Vivek Zakarde, a highly regarded professional in data analytics, as its new Head of Data Operations. Zakarde brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously held the position of Chief Data & Analytics Officer at IDBI Bank. During his tenure at IDBI, he showcased exemplary leadership across multiple domains, including Data Engineering, Data Science, Business Intelligence, AI, Machine Learning, Blockchain, and Customer Experience (CX). His career path is further marked by key roles at well-established organizations such as IndusInd Bank, India Infoline Group, Reliance General Insurance Ltd., EXL Services, and WNS.
Sharing his enthusiasm for the new role, Zakarde stated, “My passion lies in building and leading high-performance teams that leverage data to drive transformative improvements across products, services, and business processes. At IndiaFirst Life, I aim to elevate data analytics to the forefront of our operations, fostering the organization’s transition towards digitization and AI adoption. The strategic use of data will be pivotal in guiding decision-making across various domains, from AI and the Metaverse to other cutting-edge knowledge-driven endeavors.”
In addition to his deep expertise in Big Data, Cloud Computing, AI, and Data Science, Zakarde will now lead IndiaFirst Life’s data management, AI/ML, and business intelligence initiatives, contributing as a key member of the executive leadership team. His international experience is equally notable, having worked with renowned global companies such as British Gas (UK), Ford Motors (US), Suncorp Bank (Australia), and TORM Shipping (Denmark).
