The Hindu Business Line : Reverse skills drain brings global execs to India

Kolkata, June 22 Until not very long ago, it was common for Indian technology professionals to fan out to developed nations the world over and offer, albeit for a price, their services.

A reverse movement of skilled manpower has now begun with Deloitte Consulting India, the local consulting arm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, hiring senior people from its member firms worldwide to provide strategic consulting services to Deloitte’s clients in India.

Already, 14 such professionals at “very senior levels” have been transferred to India and the number is expected to grow to 30 by the end of the current calendar year, according to Mr Roopen Roy, Managing Director of Deloitte & Touche Consulting India. Within India, too, Deloitte is hiring people from the level of Partner downwards.

M&A driving demand

Mr Roy told Business Line that as corporate India increasingly goes in for mergers and acquisitions, it would be imperative to focus on business due diligence, evaluation of asset based on intellectual property and post-merger integration strategies.

“Indian managers must not just develop a global mindset but also be able to manage a global workforce. Our specialist consultants will help them to assimilate the acquired companies successfully. We also assist them in the formulation and implementation of the post-merger business integration strategy,” he said.

According to him, one Deloitte Partner-level official has been transferred from Canada and he would be based in Mumbai for the next three years. His mandate includes assisting Indian clients in buying mining assets abroad. Others who have already relocated to India or were on their way include specialists from across verticals such as financial services, technology, media and telecommunications, life sciences and healthcare, consumer business and transportation, and energy and resources.