SAP Appoints Bhrigu Joshi as Head of People & Culture in India

SAP has appointed Bhrigu Joshi as Head of People & Culture in India, bringing him back to the company after leadership experience in the UK and Ireland and a recent stint at Google. The appointment places Joshi at the helm of SAP’s people function in India, one of the company’s important markets for innovation, research and business operations.

Joshi announced the move on LinkedIn, expressing enthusiasm about returning to SAP in India and working with its leadership team, People & Culture colleagues and employees.

From Google India to SAP’s People Leadership

Immediately before his return to SAP, Joshi served as Market HR Leader for India at Google. The role followed a period of international HR leadership at SAP, where he was responsible for the People & Culture function across the UK and Ireland.

He held the position of Vice President and Head of People & Culture at SAP UK and Ireland from December 2023 to November 2025. During this period, he worked within SAP’s regional people leadership structure, gaining experience across markets and organisational environments.

His return to India brings together his knowledge of SAP’s internal people function and his more recent experience at Google.

Previous Experience Across SAP’s Global HR Function

Joshi’s association with SAP extends beyond his UK and Ireland leadership role. Earlier, he led global people initiatives and managed HR business partnering for the company’s Technology & Innovation board area across India and Singapore.

These responsibilities gave him experience supporting technology-focused business teams and working across geographies. His career has covered several core HR disciplines, including talent acquisition, rewards, performance management, learning and organisational development.

This combination of specialist HR experience and international leadership forms an important part of his professional background as he takes on the India mandate.

Experience Beyond the Technology Sector

Before his earlier leadership responsibilities at SAP, Joshi worked at MakeMyTrip, where he served as Director of Human Resources from April 2015 to August 2019.

At the online travel company, his remit included HR business partnering, compensation, learning and development, performance management and talent acquisition for the online business. The role added experience in supporting a consumer-facing digital business with a broad range of people and talent requirements.

His professional background also includes experience at HSBC, further extending his exposure beyond technology and digital services.

Academic Background

Joshi holds a master’s degree in Human Resource Management and Labour Relations from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. He also has a bachelor’s degree in Power Engineering from the National Power Training Institute.

His educational background combines technical training with specialised study in human resources, preceding a career that has spanned HR operations, strategic business partnering and international people leadership.

Focus on SAP’s India Workforce

Joshi’s appointment comes as SAP continues to place importance on India’s contribution to its global innovation, research and business activities. In announcing the move, he highlighted the country’s role in the company’s wider growth and innovation priorities.

As Head of People & Culture in India, he brings experience from both regional and global HR leadership roles, alongside an understanding of SAP’s people function from his previous tenure.

His return marks a new phase in a career that has moved across SAP, Google and MakeMyTrip, with responsibilities spanning talent, organisational development and HR strategy. The appointment brings his international experience back to SAP’s India operations, where he will work with local leadership and employees on the company’s people agenda.