At the 2nd Global Capability Center (GCC) Leadership Conclave – Hyderabad , powered by Ascendion and hosted by The Leadership Federation, over 300 global leaders from enterprises, academia, and government convened to spotlight the transformative evolution of India’s Global Capability Centers. The conclave served as a high-impact think tank, emphasizing how GCCs are moving beyond their traditional roles to become core engines of innovation, enterprise transformation, and economic value creation.
Hyderabad: The New Epicenter for GCCs in India
Once considered a service-oriented city, Hyderabad has evolved into a magnet for GCC investments. According to Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary of Telangana’s Youth, Tourism, and Culture Department, Hyderabad’s appeal lies in a combination of:
- Competitive cost structures (lower rentals, cost of living, and attrition)
- Deep talent pool and innovation ecosystem
- Responsive governance and proactive infrastructure planning
“Not a single week passes without a serious GCC engagement,” Ranjan said. “We are constantly hosting decision-makers or announcing new GCCs. Hyderabad is witnessing exponential growth.”
Projects like Neopolis, an upcoming IT park set to rival Mumbai’s BKC, signal the city’s ambitious infrastructure agenda tailored for global players.
Projects like Neopolis, an upcoming IT park set to rival Mumbai’s BKC, signal the city’s ambitious infrastructure agenda tailored for global players.
From Back-End to Brain Trust: The GCC Evolution
Speakers at the conclave emphasized how GCCs are no longer back-end support centers, but are becoming core drivers of digital transformation. In his keynote, Dr. Paul Roehrig, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer at Ascendion, urged companies to embrace AI-driven operating models.
“India can strengthen its position as a global leader in innovation through a modern network of capability centers,” he said. “We must balance human talent with intelligent systems.”
Echoing this vision, Ashwin Rao, Co-founder of Ascendion, stressed, “The next-gen GCCs won’t just support—they’ll lead. And India is at the heart of this transformation.”
“India can strengthen its position as a global leader in innovation through a modern network of capability centers,” he said. “We must balance human talent with intelligent systems.”
Echoing this vision, Ashwin Rao, Co-founder of Ascendion, stressed, “The next-gen GCCs won’t just support—they’ll lead. And India is at the heart of this transformation.”
Leadership in the Age of AI: Rethinking Talent and Culture
Sessions like “Leading in the Agentic Era: GCCs as the Engines for Change” and “Human at the Helm: Culture, Curiosity & Capability” explored how the rise of AI is reshaping workplace roles and leadership expectations. Thought leaders including Sapna Grover (Microsoft), Srikanth Kamaraju (Adobe), and Dr. Dinesh Chandrashekhar (Centific) highlighted key shifts:
- Skills to adaptability: Hiring is pivoting from fixed skillsets to learning potential
- AI-human synergy: Leadership must integrate human judgment with machine intelligence
- Trust and transparency: Core values as organizations transform digitally
“Today’s leaders must be comfortable guiding hybrid teams—people and intelligent systems,” said Pancham Taneja of Delta Capita.
The ROI Reimagined: From Cost Savings to Innovation Outcomes
The session “Writing the New ROI Playbook for AI-Powered GCCs” brought together leaders from Merck IT, 7-Eleven, Stonex, and PepsiCo. The consensus: cost arbitrage is no longer enough
“Boards now demand agility, innovation, and measurable business outcomes,” noted Anuprita Bhattacharya (Merck IT)
India’s GCCs are being recognized for value-based innovation rather than just scale, aligning with enterprise-wide digital mandates.
“Boards now demand agility, innovation, and measurable business outcomes,” noted Anuprita Bhattacharya (Merck IT)
India’s GCCs are being recognized for value-based innovation rather than just scale, aligning with enterprise-wide digital mandates.
Insights from the Frontlines: Mistakes, Milestones, and Momentum
In the panel “Lessons from the Frontline”, industry veterans from Carrier, MetLife, Baxter, and DSM shared transformation stories—spotlighting what worked, what didn’t, and what’s next. Organizational agility, inclusive leadership, and real-time adaptability emerged as recurring themes.
Additionally, in a one-on-one conversation, Namita Adavi of Zinnov emphasized how strategy and structure must evolve to support AI’s integration in capability centers.
Additionally, in a one-on-one conversation, Namita Adavi of Zinnov emphasized how strategy and structure must evolve to support AI’s integration in capability centers.
Conclusion: GCCs as Strategic Anchors of India’s Growth
The Hyderabad conclave was more than a meeting of minds—it sparked new partnerships, unveiled actionable frameworks, and reinforced a powerful message: India’s GCCs are now front and center in the global innovation narrative.
With Hyderabad leading the charge—backed by infrastructure, government support, and a thriving talent ecosystem—the future of Global Capability Centers is bright & bold.
With Hyderabad leading the charge—backed by infrastructure, government support, and a thriving talent ecosystem—the future of Global Capability Centers is bright & bold.
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