Suresh Bathrachalam

Senior Vice President- Technology, GEMS Education

Suresh is a senior technology leader with over 23 years of experience steering ICT initiatives across large organizations. Currently serving as Senior Vice President and Head of Technology at GEMS Group, he leads the strategic planning and execution of technology initiatives that drive digital innovation and transformation. Suresh provides technical leadership in all IT aspects, including the development of proprietary IP products, enterprise systems, infrastructure, information security, and school IT functions. By aligning digital capabilities with strategic priorities and connecting technology investments to enterprise KPIs, he ensures positive digital transformation and keeps the organization at the forefront of industry innovation.

In his role, Suresh has developed and implemented comprehensive technology strategies covering information management, security, privacy, ERP systems, web services, and ICT infrastructure. He oversees the technology portfolio, enhancing IT support and operations to drive efficiency and productivity, implementing continuous improvement processes, and ensuring critical IT systems' availability per agreed service levels. His financial stewardship includes managing IT budgets of $40–$50 million, planning initiatives, allocating budgets, and tracking spending to ensure investments yield quantitative and qualitative benefits. He identifies cost optimization opportunities through prudent technology spending and innovative consolidation efforts, significantly contributing to organizational profitability.

Committed to risk management and compliance, Suresh participates in executive meetings and risk committees to align IT risk management with enterprise needs and best practices. He oversees the development and execution of information security, disaster recovery, and business continuity plans to protect data integrity and availability. A strong collaborator, he engages with senior leadership to deliver IT solutions that drive success. As a leader, he mentors a high-performing IT team, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. His key achievements include aligning technology investments with strategic priorities resulting in measurable ROI, implementing "IT as a Service" models to enhance operational efficiency, and establishing robust information security controls ensuring compliance with legal and industry standards. Suresh's passion for leveraging technology to drive business success and his commitment to transformational change have significantly contributed to the growth and innovation of the organizations he has served.