Mohammed Areff joins Wipro to lead Middle East region

Global technology services giant Wipro has appointed a new Managing Director for the Middle East: Mohammed Areff.

Mohammed Areff has been hired externally from Microsoft, where he worked for over four years, latterly as Director of the Microsoft Solutions business in the Gulf. In the role, he led the deliver of solutions including Microsoft Dynamics, Office 365, Azure Cloud and Power, among others, to clients in the private and public sector. 

Areff also led teams across various industry verticals providing the sales and technical specialisation on new business and premium cloud solutions. Prior to Microsoft, he held senior roles at Avaya (a provider of cloud communications solutions and applications) and NCR Corporation (a global software enterprise focused on the financial, retail and hospitality industries).

Now at the reins of Wipro in the region, Areff has been tasked with leading the firm’s portfolio of services in the region spanning technology, consulting and managed services for business and IT processes. He will also shape the firm’s regional strategy, lead its execution, and manage portfolios including key client accounts and internal operations.

“I am excited to welcome Areff and am confident that his leadership and deep understanding of this market will lead to greater customer success and enhanced business opportunities that support our growth ambitions in this region,” said N.S. Bala, CEO of Wipro for the APMEA region.

Wipro has been active in the Middle East for two decades this year, and recently strengthened its footprint (and standing) in the financial services industry with the acquisition of global consulting firm Capco in in $1.5 billion deal. 

Bala: “The Middle East is a strategic focus for Wipro, with its growing demand for comprehensive digital transformation solutions, agility and scale, specialised technology requirements and innovation.” 

Commenting on his switch of career paths, Areff took to LinkedIn to sound his appreciation for his time at Microsoft. “Good byes are never easy, especially when one has been part of an awesome and an amazing company called Microsoft. Microsoft has been a huge experience for me – it taught me how to learn, to collaborate and to think outcomes…. Resigning from here was a difficult decision.”

“But life moves on, and I am thrilled to start a new chapter with Wipro. I look at this new assignment as an opportunity to further contribute to our customers aspirations in driving sustainable growth and efficiencies. Wipro has a wealth of talent and practices to enable our customers’ success and I am excited with what the possibilities could be.”

Globally, Indian-origin Wipro (the 9th largest employer in India) generates revenues of $8.7 billion. The firm is led by Thierry Delaporte, an ex-Capgemini veteran.