After working with the American multinational for more than 15 years, Chief People Officer James Lennox is all set to retire from his role. 

In the letter addressed to its employees Cognizant CEO Brian Humphries wrote, “Jim Lennox, our Chief People Officer (CPO), EVP, and member of the Executive Committee, let me know four months ago that he planned to retire from Cognizant at the end of this year, capping off an extraordinary 16 years with our company. Over recent months, Jim has helped lead the search for his successor, which we have just completed.” 

Lennox joined Cognizant in 2004 as Vice President, North America Human Resources. Since 2013, he had been working  closely with the Leadership Team and Cognizant’s Board of Directors, acting as a trusted advisor on all talent matters. His responsibilities included the oversight of all people-related programs that impact Cognizant’s global professionals, including traditional talent management, learning and leadership development, talent acquisition, mergers and acquisitions integration and mobility.

As per the letter shared by CEO, when Lennox joined Cognizant in 2004 the company had about 15,000 associates. The number has since increased more than 19-fold to nearly 290,000. 

Now as he retires from the role, he passes the baton of leading the talent agenda to Becky Schmitt, who will take on the role of Cognizant’s Chief People Officer from 1st February 2020. 

Currently, Becky Schmitt, is working as Senior Vice President and CPO at Sam’s Club, $59 Bn division of Walmart. 

Schmitt joins the Executive Committee and will report to CEO Humphries, and will be based in New York City. 

Announcing Schmitt’s appointment Humphries wrote, “She brings 24 years of experience in developing talent and designing and delivering modern, market-leading HR strategies globally. Her experience includes more than 20 years with Accenture.” 

Job cuts & Upskilling: Cognizant’s top talent priorities

As Schmitt takes on the responsibility of heading the people agenda for the IT multinational, she also becomes part of the firm’s strategy to create a more future ready and digital ready workforce. In various news reports and announcements made by the CEO, Cognizant has shared its restructuring plans. 

In October, it was reported that the firm is letting go 10,000-12,000 mid-to-senior employees from their current roles, and reskilling and redeploying about 5000 of those impacted.

CEO Humphries has before made a statement, “I do not believe in death by a thousand cuts, I would rather pull the Band-Aid off and get it behind us and set the context as to why this is critical and fast forward to the future.”

Now, how does Schmitt take over and lead this restructuring strategy for Cognizant and help it in its endeavor to be more prepared for the future of work is to look forward to.