Leading with Purpose at Scale : How EY is Revolutionizing the Future of Global Delivery

Mint

7 days ago

In today's age of AI-infused ambition and cloud-native disruption, it's easy to mistake digital transformation as a race toward newer tools, faster execution, and slimmer margins. But talk to Ajay Anand, Global Vice Chair of EY Global Delivery Services (GDS), and you hear a different story—one where technology is only as powerful as the people who wield it.
In an exclusive conversation with Mint Tech Talk, Ajay Anand lays out a compelling narrative about how EY's global delivery model is evolving—not just in size and scale, but in intent and influence.
'India is no longer the back office,' says Anand with quiet confidence. 'It's a front-runner in delivering cutting-edge tech solutions globally.' As the largest hub for EY GDS, India houses thousands of professionals who do far more than just execute—they innovate, automate, and transform.
This isn't the India of a decade ago where cost arbitrage was king. Today, India is where GenAI pilots are launched, cybersecurity models are built, and complex global transformation programs are designed. As Anand points out, 'The ecosystem is maturing rapidly—and India is central to that story.'
At the core of this transformation is EY's calculated embrace of Generative AI. But Anand is clear: this is no headlong rush. EY has developed its own platform, EY.ai, which integrates GenAI with responsible frameworks and human oversight.
'We don't see GenAI as replacing jobs,' he says. 'We see it as elevating them.'
Whether it's summarizing financial documents, generating audit support, or streamlining code, GenAI is being embedded into the DNA of EY's delivery. But every deployment comes with a focus on ethics, explainability, and governance. 'It's augmentation, not automation,' Anand emphasizes.
The conversation quickly moves from tools to models. For EY GDS, success isn't about delivering one-off projects. It's about helping clients build systems that can continuously evolve. 'Sustainability and scale go hand in hand,' says Anand. 'You can't scale something that's fragile.'
That mindset reflects in how EY thinks about platforms, people, and partnerships. Clients are no longer looking for vendors; they're looking for co-creators. And that's the shift EY GDS is preparing for: a future where delivery is less about offshoring and more about orchestration.
If there's a single defining theme in Anand's leadership, it's people. Under his watch, EY GDS has rolled out a 'skills-first' approach to workforce development—focusing less on roles and more on capabilities. The result? Thousands of employees across India, Poland, Philippines, and Argentina are being re-skilled in AI, cloud, data science, and cybersecurity.
'We've built learning pathways in collaboration with top institutions,' he says. 'The idea is to make every EY GDS professional future-ready.'
It's a strong departure from traditional upskilling models, which Anand views as reactive. EY, instead, is betting on anticipation—preparing employees not just for the jobs of today, but for the challenges of tomorrow.
When asked what leadership lesson has served him best in the digital age, Anand doesn't point to strategy decks or tech dashboards. Instead, he points to empathy.
'In a complex, fast-paced environment, the ability to listen, understand, and connect with people makes all the difference,' he says. 'Technology is important—but people drive change.'
It's a fitting mantra for a leader navigating the confluence of human potential and machine intelligence.
As EY GDS sets its sights on bolder partnerships, broader platforms, and deeper innovation, it's clear that Anand and his team aren't chasing headlines. They're building foundations. Quietly. Boldly. Globally.
And in that stillness lies the future of delivery—not as a function, but as a force.
Note to the Reader: This article has been produced on behalf of the brand by HT Brand Studio and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Mint.