Having most recently served as the company’s CFO, Kazuhiko Nakayama is succeeding Yutaka Sasaki as NTT Data Group CEO, who is taking on a new role as senior executive vice president of NTT, Inc., effective 18th June.
Nakayama is expected to drive NTT Data Group’s growth strategy forward, which is centred on AI-empowered productivity and next-generation infrastructure.
“The appointment of Mr Nakayama follows a thoughtful and carefully planned succession process. Under the leadership of Mr Nakayama, NTT Data Group will embark on a new management structure,” explained Sasaki. “NTT Data Group stands at the very core of the NTT Group and serves as its growth engine.”
NTT Data’s key business areas include operational AI to support business transformation and physical AI to enable applications of the technology in worksites and facilities.
Having most recently served as CFO of NTT Data, Nakayama has strong expertise in defining business strategy and delivering growth. He first started his career at NTT in 1989 and has made extensive contributions to NTT Docomo, NTT East and NTT Communications, before being appointed CFO in 2023.
In his new role, Nakayama is expected to continue strengthening the company’s competitive advantage, while also accelerating its AI growth strategy across the 70+ countries it operates. The growth strategy will focus on AI-empowered new value and productivity, in addition to next-generation infrastructure.
Speaking on his appointment, Nakayama said: “Over the past three years, I have had the honour of working closely with Mr Sasaki and the leadership team on a strategic course that has established NTT DATA among the top five IT services businesses globally. That experience has reinforced my conviction in the strength of our offering, the quality of our people and the size of the opportunity ahead.”
He added: “As I take on the responsibilities of CEO and lead the growth of the NTT DATA Group going forward, I feel a deep sense of dedication, possibility and excitement.”
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