Guardian India appoints Karunakaran Azhisur as Chief Information Officer

Chennai, November 06, 2024 | Guardian India, the global capability centre for The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), today announced the appointment of Karunakaran (Karun) Azhisur as Chief Information Officer – India. In this role, he will report to Shiney Prasad, Country Head (India).

Karunakaran brings over 25 years of experience as a global technology leader, having led GCCs for Fortune 100 companies. Most recently, he held the position of Global CIO for the Hydro Power Business at GE Vernova.

Prior to his role at the Hydro business of GE Vernova, Karun spent eight years in a variety of senior roles at GE and GE Vernova. These include the position of Regional CIO for Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, as well as heading GE Gas Power’s Global Software Engineering and GE’s India Digital Hub. Additionally, he served as a board member for GE India Industrials Pvt Ltd.

Commenting on the appointment, Shiney Prasad, Country Head, Guardian India, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Karun to Guardian India as we continue evolving our technology and operations capabilities. His appointment is progress in our commitment to bringing together exceptional talent and transformative technology – a combination that is core to our strategic vision.”

On his appointment, Karunakaran Azhisur, Chief Information Officer, Guardian India, said, “Leadership in an organization that places equal emphasis on innovation and well-being aligns perfectly with my vision for digital transformation. I am delighted to join Guardian and look forward to building technology and talent that can make a sincere impact in the lives of consumers and communities.”

Karunakaran holds a postgraduate degree in Management from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore, and a Bachelor of Technology degree from Anna University, Chennai. He will be based out of Guardian’s Chennai campus.

Guardian India:

Guardian India Operations Private Limited is the global capability centre for The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), headquartered in New York. Guardian India, located in Chennai and Gurugram, provides IT and ITES services, consulting, and business solutions to Guardian and its affiliates.  Guardian India delivers business value to the parent organization while maintaining a strong focus on mentorship programs, leadership development opportunities for women, employee health, and well-being. These competencies have ascended Guardian India’s path to multiple accolades, including being recognized as a Great Place to Work for several consecutive years.

Guardian:

Guardian makes a difference in the lives of people when they need us most. With over 160 years of stability and fiscal integrity, we are a trusted resource to generations of families and business owners, inspiring well-being and helping build financial confidence. Today, we stand behind millions of consumers, helping them prepare and plan for a bright future for themselves and their families. We help business owners care for their employees. And we help people recover and thrive in times of unexpected loss. As a modern mutual insurance company, we believe in driving value beyond dividends. We invest in our colleagues, are building an inclusive and innovative culture, and are helping to uplift communities through thoughtful corporate impact programs. Guardian, which is based in New York City, is a leading provider of life, disability, dental, and other benefits, and has received accolades for its culture and service. Our colleagues and financial professionals serve with care and experience, and our commitments rest on a strong financial foundation, which included a 2024 dividend allocation of $1.398 billion – the largest in the company’s history.