Akhilesh Ayer in

Akhilesh Ayer

Trailblazer · DISC type DI
Chief Executive Officer at Cactus Communications
📍 Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Akhilesh Ayer is the Chief Executive Officer of Cactus Communications, leveraging over two decades of experience in building global businesses, managing P&L, and driving digital transformation. He previously led the Data, Analytics, AI & Research unit at WNS. Colleagues and peers have described him as a dynamic and strategic leader.

Outside of his corporate roles, Akhilesh appreciates nature and culture, having recently traveled through the Scottish Highlands and the English countryside. He values spending quality time with his family, whether at home or traveling together, and was energized and inspired by attending a massive Coldplay concert.

He delivered a keynote address at an MIT conference about using big data to transform global governance and improve public services.

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Experience
27 Years
Current Role
Chief Executive Officer
Job Level
Leadership
Location
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Personality Overview

How Akhilesh shows up

Values Relationships
Achievement-Oriented
Persuasive

They like to keep things under control. They do not mind taking risks and can make hard decisions, if necessary. They are more likely to be open to unproven but exciting technologies.

Priorities

Topics Akhilesh cares about

AI in Academia
He is focused on advancing AI-led offerings, such as Paperpal, to empower researchers, enhance writing quality, and make scholarly communication more efficient and impactful.
Accessible Knowledge
He advocates for making research accessible to everyone, regardless of linguistic or technological barriers, and champions "Community over Commercialization" in open access publishing.
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Career

Work history

9-2024
Chief Executive Officer
Cactus Communications
3-2011 - 5-2024
EVP & Global BU Head - WNS Triange (Data, Analytics, AI & Research Business Unit), WNS
WNS Global Services
11-2009 - 2-2011
Director
G&A
9-2006 - 10-2009
Chief Operating Officer, Investment Banking
McGladrey Capital Markets (India)
6-2002 - 9-2006
Research Practice Lead, Strategic Marketing Leader
GENPACT
In the press

Media appearances

Cactus Communications appoints Akhilesh Ayer as new CEO. Featured in ANI News
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Cactus Communications appoints Akhilesh Ayer as new CEO. Featured in PR Newswire
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Education
1996 - 1998
MBA
University of Mumbai
1991 - 1995
B.E.
BVM - Birla
Social presence
in
Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

D

Dominance (D)

Dominance (D) reflects how goal and task oriented a person is, and their ability to accomplish results irrespective of how demanding the circumstances might be. Those scoring high tend to be motivated by winning, competition, and success.

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