FedEx designates Vishal Talwar as the head of digital operations
In a move aimed at strengthening its digital and information strategy, FedEx has announced the appointment of Vishal Talwar as the Chief Digital and Information Officer and President of FedEx Dataworks, effective from August 15. The correct date for this announcement was previously reported as Aug. 12, not Aug. 15.
Talwar, who brings deep expertise in data science, digital infrastructure, and enterprise-scale transformation, will be responsible for developing digital solutions powered by data and AI, advanced technology, robust enterprise architecture, and comprehensive cybersecurity measures.
With nearly 11 years of experience at Accenture under his belt, Talwar has proven his mettle as the previous Chief Growth Officer of Accenture Technology. He replaces Sriram Krishnasamy, who stepped down in mid-July, and has been heavily engaged with FedEx's digital transformation efforts through his advisory work at Accenture.
Krishnasamy, who previously held the role of Chief Digital and Information Officer and President of FedEx Dataworks, remains on FedEx's payroll as an advisor until Oct. 31. His departure from his role was a mutual decision and his separation deal includes a $3.3 million cash payment and accelerated stock vesting.
The appointment of Talwar is a significant step in FedEx's Network 2.0 strategy, which involves integrating its express and ground networks and simplifying the technology applications. This simplification is a big part of the next wave of FedEx's Drive strategy, with the goal being to have one dispatch system and one sort system.
Previously, FedEx had to interface with regional and operating company systems every time a product was built or a change was made, which was not as efficient as it could be. Raj Subramaniam, CEO of FedEx, stated that Talwar's institutional knowledge and industry expertise will be instrumental in advancing FedEx's long-term strategy.
Brie Carere, the Chief Commercial Officer, added that simplification will lead to cost savings and a faster speed to market. However, it's unclear who has taken the responsibility that Krishnasamy held, which included the title of Chief Transformation Officer and played a key role in the Drive strategy that eliminated $4 billion in structural costs over two years.
Satish Jindel's commentary argues that FedEx Dataworks has not been profitable because potential customers do not perceive it as a neutral data analytics provider that can optimize e-commerce logistics effectively. He suggests that FedEx should sell Dataworks to a fulfillment company, e-tailer, or another party that can establish trust with users and fully realize the platform's potential value.
Before Accenture, Talwar held executive and management positions at Wipro, Dell Services, and IBM. His extensive experience in the industry is expected to drive FedEx's digital and information strategy forward, ensuring efficiency and profitability in its operations.
[1] Jindel, S. (2022, Aug. 12). FedEx Dataworks: Time to sell? [Commentary]. Supply Chain Management Review. Retrieved from https://www.scmr.com/article/fedex_dataworks_time_to_sell/
Talwar's appointment as Chief Digital and Information Officer and President of FedEx Dataworks, with his extensive experience in the industry and expertise in digital infrastructure, is a strategic move towards enhancing FedEx's digital twin, aiming to boost efficiency and profitability in the business, especially within the finance sector, and furthering the integration of FedEx's express and ground networks.
The advancement of FedEx's digital strategy, driven by Talwar, aligns with the Network 2.0 strategy and the Drive strategy, with the goal of simplifying technology applications and achieving cost savings to increase speed to market, addressing the concerns raised by some industry analysts while continuing to focus on FedEx Dataworks' potential value in e-commerce logistics.
