Coforge boardroom rift deepens as NRC chair Singh quits | India Business News

Boardroom with human resource business people writing paper negotiating a contract.

Bengaluru: Coforge boardroom tensions deepen as independent director and Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) chair DK Singh resigned with immediate effect, citing “differences and tension” between independent and executive directors and concerns over changes in strategy, transparency and compensation. Singh’s resignation comes days after chairman OP Bhatt stepped down and amid an internal audit review that the company says raised concerns involving the board chairman and NRC chair.In his resignation email on Thursday, Singh said the recent events made it difficult for him to continue discharging his responsibilities as an independent director. “When I joined the Board in 2024, it was transitioning from a private equity-led Board to a more independent Board. While I believe that transition was moving in the right direction, it also created some differences and tension, particularly between the Independent and Executive Directors,” Singh said.He said the addition of new board members could bring “changes in direction and priorities in areas such as strategy, transparency, and compensation et al.” “While I welcome constructive debate and different viewpoints, I believe the current circumstances may make it increasingly difficult for me to effectively fulfill my responsibilities as an independent director and, most importantly, to exercise the independent judgement I believe is necessary to act in the best interests of the company and all of its shareholders,” Singh said.Coforge, however, strongly disputed his account, saying the allegation of differences and tension between independent and executive directors was “unfounded” and appeared to be an “afterthought”. The company said that since 2024, all business strategy and governance decisions had been approved unanimously, with board minutes reflecting “cohesion and unanimity”.The board also said Singh’s resignation followed concerns identified in the internal audit review and the subsequent process of seeking explanations from the chairman and NRC chair. “It is apparent that the NRC Chair has resigned as a consequence of these events,” it said.Vivek Sharma will serve as interim chair until January 31, 2027, lead a global search for additional independent directors and oversee the election of a new chair. Beth Boucher has been appointed NRC chair.