Solution Provider Syntel Names New Head Of North American Sales

Solution provider Syntel named a new head of North American sales as part of an effort to expand its customer base.

Christopher Mason -- a 28-year industry veteran with experience closing large outsourcing deals and who has prior ties to Syntel -- joined the Troy, Mich.-based company Monday. Syntel is No. 40 on CRN's Solution Provider 500 list, a ranking of the top solution providers in North America by revenue.

Mason most recently was global head of business development for India-based Infosys, where he spearheaded efforts to procure deals valued at greater than $50 million. He held senior sales and marketing positions at Boston-based Keane and Wang Laboratories, Lowell, Mass., as well.

Mason also worked at Syntel from 1996 to 1999 as the company's Midwest regional sales director. In that role, Mason opened up a field office in Minneapolis, landed several large customers, and implemented successful sales and marketing strategies, said Nitin Rakesh, Syntel CEO and president.

Mason will oversee an expanded sales force as Syntel looks to capitalize on increased demand for global service delivery. His responsibilities will include identifying and acquiring new customers in the North America region, leading the company's business development efforts and driving growth within strategic accounts.

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"Chris is a responsible, hands-on manager and proven strategist," Rakesh wrote in an email to CRN. "Throughout his career, he has demonstrated the ability to shape winning formulas for business development, craft creative solutions and effective messaging, and cultivate deep customer relationships."

Rakesh is looking for Mason to not only build new lines of business, but also to move Syntel toward sustained long-term financial and operational growth.

Nearly 92 percent of Syntel's $825 million of revenue in 2013 was generated in North America, Rakesh said, and is expected to be the primary driver of Syntel's growth in coming years.

While head of North American sales isn't a new position at Syntel, it has remained unfilled in recent years with Rakesh handling those responsibilities as president of the Americas from 2012 until April 2014. With Rakesh's ascension to CEO in April 2014, replacing Prashant Ranade, Syntel launched a search to fill the North American sales position.

"I am very excited to be joining Syntel again," Mason said in a statement. "In its more than 30 years in business, Syntel has experienced a fantastic evolution and growth as a company, and I look forward to contributing to the next stage of this journey."

PUBLISHED SEPT. 9, 2014