Dr Gopichand Katragadda is the group chief technology officer at Tata Sons. In this role, Dr Katragadda drives technology and innovation for the Tata group leveraging cross-company synergies. He also serves as a director on the boards of select Tata companies. Previously, as the chairman and managing director of GE India Technology Centre, he facilitated funding of cross-business innovation, championed the commissioning of new research labs, developed research teams and helped build GE’s largest R&D Centre – the John F Welch Technology Centre (JFWTC). Under his leadership, the JFWTC team was contributing to over 300 US patents a year. Dr Katragadda also served as the chairman for GE-BEL. Before joining GE, Dr Katragadda worked with Karta Technologies, San Antonio, Texas, as vice president of research and development. At Karta Technologies, he led the development of advanced sensor technology for US government agencies and research consortiums. Dr Katragadda was also an adjunct professor at the University of Texas and served on the board of directors for Texas Public Radio. Dr Katragadda provides the voice of technology for various industry bodies in India, including the CII and NASSCOM. He is the India Chair for the technology track of the Indo-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee, which facilitates government to government negotiations on market liberalisation. Dr Katragadda chairs the India Development Panel and is a fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology. He is on the India Council for the Anita Borg Institute. Dr Katragadda is a GE Certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt. He has over 30 publications, five patents and has also authored a book on innovation ‘SMASH,’ published by Wiley