US-based Intel appoints Santhosh Viswanathan as India region head

US-based semiconductor giant Intel has appointed Santhosh Viswanathan as the Managing Director (MD) for its India region.

Viswanathan, an Intel veteran of about 21 years, took on his role as Vice President and Managing Director in July 2022 but will now lead the country as a distinct region within Intel's global structure.

Why has India become a separate region?

In March, Intel recognized India as a unique region within its Sales, Marketing, and Communications Group (SMG) to better focus on the country's rapid growth and emerging business opportunities. The strategic change allows Intel to engage more deeply with the local market and leverage its strong engineering presence in India.

What qualifications does Viswanathan bring?

Santhosh Viswanathan comes to his new role with extensive experience and education. He holds an engineering degree in industrial engineering and management, along with a master’s degree in business administration. His long tenure at Intel and deep understanding of the market are seen as crucial for driving growth and customer engagement in India.

What did Viswanathan say about his role?

Upon his appointment, Viswanathan emphasized the importance of the new regional focus. "By creating a separate region, we are enabling our teams, including our strong engineering base in India, to work closely with our customers,” he stated. He aims to leverage his expertise to drive value and customer-centricity in the Indian market.

Appointing Hans Chuang as the General Manager

Alongside Viswanathan's appointment, Intel has named Hans Chuang as the General Manager (GM) of SMG Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ).

Chuang, who is based in Taiwan, holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from McGill University. His responsibilities include driving revenue growth, creating new opportunities, and strengthening relationships with customers and partners across the APJ region. 

“Intel is transforming, and I am excited to lead the company’s growth and innovation in APJ, one of the most diverse and fastest-growing regions for Intel. Leveraging the strength of our partners and continuing our commitment to building an open ecosystem that serves our customers in a transparent and secure manner is going to be key to our long-term success here in the APJ region,” said Hans.