Ramco Systems has appointed Sandesh Bilagi as its chief executive officer, elevating the executive who led the company's operational turnaround to now steer an AI-led global growth strategy. Bilagi, previously president and chief operating officer, oversaw six consecutive quarters of operating profit through FY2026, a stretch that transformed the enterprise software firm's financial trajectory.
Bilagi brings more than two decades of enterprise technology experience. He founded Ramco's Australia and New Zealand business, which has grown into one of the company's key markets, and held leadership roles at HCL Technologies and Tech Mahindra. A Chartered Accountant and CPA, he has built and scaled businesses across sales, delivery, and operations.
Turnaround architect takes the top job
P.R. Venketrama Raja, Chairman, Ramco Systems, said, "Over the past several quarters, Ramco has emerged a stronger, more disciplined company - six straight quarters of operational profit are evidence of a genuine turnaround, not a one-time correction. Sandesh has been central to that journey."
P.V. Abinav Ramasubramaniam Raja, Managing Director, said, "Sandesh combines a builder's instinct with an operator's rigour. He created our ANZ business from the ground up and then brought that same ownership to the turnaround of the wider company, across customer engagements and operations."
A two-pronged strategy: global growth and AI-native rebuild
Sandesh Bilagi, Chief Executive Officer, Ramco Systems, said, "It is a privilege to lead Ramco at a defining moment. We have done the hard work of restoring profitability and sharpening execution; the task now is to sustain that rigour and convert our strength into growth at scale. Two priorities will define this chapter. First, global growth - deepening our presence in established markets and building a world-class go-to-market motion, expanding across our HR & Global Payroll, Aviation, ERP, Logistics and Chia product lines. Second, becoming a truly AI-native company - not bolting AI onto our products, but rebuilding how we design, deliver and operate around it, so that every customer experiences a measurably better outcome."
The shift toward an AI-native model aligns with the strategic focus areas covered in the AI Learning Path for CEOs, designed for leaders driving similar transformations.
Financial momentum
Ramco's consolidated net profit surged four-fold to Rs 25.04 crore in Q4 FY26, compared with Rs 5.30 crore in Q4 FY25. Revenue from operations jumped 19.39% year-on-year to Rs 185.36 crore in the quarter ended 31 March 2026. The company serves more than 800 customers and over two million users across payroll, aviation, aerospace and ERP sectors.
Why this matters for executives and strategy
For executives and strategy leaders, this appointment underscores how operational discipline can set the stage for an AI-centric growth strategy. As Ramco pivots to rebuild its products around AI, the move illustrates the kind of leadership decisions explored in AI for Executives & Strategy resources. The company's focus on embedding AI at the core-rather than adding it as a feature-signals a deeper organizational shift that will require new skills, governance models, and go-to-market approaches.
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