Chinar Deshpande

Independent Non-Executive Director (INED) Candidate

Technology Leader | Transformation Architect | Builder of Institutions

United Kingdom
linkedin.com/in/chinardeshpande

Executive Summary

A hands-on technologist with board-level maturity; a strategist who respects detail; and a leader who believes people are never "resources" — they are energy, emotion, aspiration and possibility. Across three decades, my work has lived at the intersection of technology, business strategy, large-scale execution, and people leadership — from boardrooms and shop floors to warehouses, technology labs, leadership tables, and entrepreneurial trenches. Currently CTO Global Logistics & Finance at THG (£2B+ FTSE 250), leading AI-driven automation across 18 warehouses serving 300+ brands globally.

Leadership Values

Clarity

Vision must eventually become architecture — I do not romanticise execution

Compassion

People are energy, emotion, aspiration and possibility — they deserve to be led that way

Courage

Carrying responsibility where judgement matters more than title

Accountability

Architecture must become a plan, and plans must produce results — outcomes, never noise

Key Differentiators

Global Multi-Dimensional Network

  • •C-level executives: Microsoft, SAP, Oracle, Zoho, Deloitte, PwC, Accenture, E&Y, IBM
  • •Business leaders: NSE Chairman, HDFC CTO, Werburgh Pincus, Podar family (3-gen business)
  • •Political access: Deputy CM & CM Maharashtra, key MPs/MLAs
  • •Sports icons: Sachin Tendulkar, Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid, Mahesh Bhupathi
  • •Strategic network as asset, not just connections

Large-Scale Infrastructure Execution

  • •Built modern warehouses, cross-country pipelines, nuclear powerplants, oil refineries from scratch
  • •Established Global Capability Centers and scaled legal entities
  • •Event management at scale — concept to execution
  • •Proven track record across heavy infrastructure and digital transformation

Multidimensional People Leadership

  • •Led 2,500+ professionals across 14 countries, multiple generations and cultures
  • •Unique capability: elite C-suite to blue collar workforce (union/non-union)
  • •White collar at scale (corporate), blue collar (warehousing, logistics, manufacturing)
  • •Labor management and multi-country cultural alignment

Hands-On AI & Data Capability

  • •Extensive use of ChatGPT, Codex, Claude Code, Claude Cowork, Google Gemini, n8n, NotebookLM
  • •Technical fluency translates AI into business impact
  • •Pattern recognition at scale — strategic edge in analytics and insights
  • •AI/ML strategy with hands-on implementation experience

Thought Leadership & Innovation

  • •Editorial Board CIO Magazine | Speaker: SAP Sapphire, CTO Forum
  • •CIO 100 Award | Featured in SAP Annual Report 2005-06
  • •Ability to conceptualize, document, design, plan and execute transformational ideas
  • •Fast thinking, solution-oriented, out-of-the-box problem solving

Career Highlights

CTO Global Logistics & Finance | THG - The Hut Group

2022 - Present

Leading AI-driven robotics automation (Autostore, Geek+, T-sorter) across 18 global warehouses. Built THG India Technology Center from ground up. 300+ e-commerce brands serving 198 countries.

Group CIO | Future Group (India's Largest Retailer)

2004 - 2016

Led SAP IS Retail transformation: 3,200 users, 900+ stores, 35 warehouses, INR 3B budget. Featured in SAP Annual Report 2005-06. CIO 100 Award. Supply Chain Excellence.

EVP & Group CIO | Stellar Value Chain Solutions

2016 - 2021

Built Innovation Cell from scratch: Solar power (8M+ sq ft), Electric mobility fleet (19,000 pin codes), India's first 3PL Customer Experience Centers. Sustainability and automation at scale.

Transformational Impact

30+ years C-suite experience (CTO, Group CIO roles)
14 countries • 8 industries • 2,500+ professionals led
6 world-class ERP implementations (SAP/Oracle/Infor)
18 global warehouses with AI/robotics automation
120 countries — Global PeopleSoft HRMS for Unilever
INR 3 Billion technology budget managed with ROI discipline
900+ retail stores • 300+ e-commerce brands automated

Board-Ready Competencies

governance strategic

  • Board governance & independence; Audit/Risk oversight
  • Capital allocation & ROI discipline; regulatory compliance
  • Strategic counsel leveraging C-suite network (Microsoft, SAP, Oracle, Deloitte, PwC)
  • Access to political, industry & investment leaders (NSE, HDFC, Werburgh Pincus)

technology ai data

  • AI/ML strategy & hands-on capability; pattern recognition at scale
  • Data analytics, visualization & business intelligence
  • Cyber risk; zero-trust architecture; cloud economics
  • Platform modernization - ERP (SAP/Oracle/Infor/Zoho)

large scale execution

  • Cross-border logistics & warehouse automation (AutoStore, Geek+, T-Sorter)
  • Infrastructure delivery (warehouses, pipelines, refineries, corporate offices)
  • GCC setup & scaling; legal entity formation & start-up acceleration
  • Execution discipline: Bridges technology and strategy — balancing innovation, governance, measurable outcomes

people leadership

  • Elite leadership hiring & org design (100+ engineers scale-up)
  • Multi-country, multi-generational workforce management
  • Blue/white collar; union/non-union; cultural alignment
  • Executive communication & stakeholder orchestration

Ideal Board Roles

  • •Independent Non-Executive Director
  • •Technology & Innovation Committee Chair
  • •Audit & Risk Committee Member
  • •Strategic Advisory Board Member
  • •Digital Transformation Advisor

Target Industries

  • • E-commerce & Digital Retail
  • • Logistics & Supply Chain (3PL/4PL)
  • • Technology Services & SaaS
  • • FMCG & Consumer Goods
  • • Infrastructure & Heavy Industries
  • • Education Technology

Board Committee Fit

Technology & Innovation Committee — Digital strategy, AI governance, cybersecurity oversight, platform modernization

Audit & Risk Committee — Technology risk, data privacy, business continuity, regulatory compliance

Strategy Committee — Digital transformation, M&A tech due diligence, innovation roadmap, capital allocation

ESG & Sustainability Committee — Green tech, electric mobility, solar power, responsible AI adoption

What I Seek in Board Opportunities

  • •Organizations building for the future — responsible growth, founder clarity, independent judgement
  • •Leaders seeking transformation without losing their human touch
  • •Companies at inflection points requiring technology-driven growth
  • •Boards valuing diverse perspectives: technical depth + strategic foresight + operational excellence
  • •Cultures that value ethics, execution discipline, and measurable outcomes

Beyond Work — Personal Foundation

Deeply shaped by family, spirituality, sport and service. A proud father and committed family man. Sport has given me resilience, timing, competitive grace. Spirituality has taught me restraint, humility and inner alignment. My Indian roots, cultural pride, and desire to contribute meaningfully to society guide my long-term aspirations.

Availability

Available for Independent Non-Executive Director positions

Contact

Via LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chinardeshpande

Notice

Open to board opportunities in UK, Europe, India, and global remote positions

© 2026 Chinar Deshpande. All rights reserved.