LexisNexis Risk Solutions is a leading provider of big data-enabled solutions designed to help its customers manage risk, access and predict trends, and identify opportunities for growth. At the forefront of this dynamic organization is Kaustubh Deshpande (aka “KD”), Vice President of Technology, who is responsible for managing and driving innovation across the company’s technology teams.
KD has enjoyed a varied and planned career path, with his Master’s in Engineering in Computers and a specialization in data helping him secure his first job at ChoicePoint, which was later acquired by LexisNexis Risk Solutions. “That gave my career a boost right from the beginning,” says KD. “When I had gathered enough experience, I did my MBA in finance – another boost at the right time to enable me to transition into management roles and succeed in building up my career.”
KD has also had the opportunity to work for other big data companies, such as Equifax and AT&T, with teams in different geographies such as India, the US, Brazil, China, and Saudi Arabia. These experiences have honed his leadership skills and developed him into a well-rounded executive.
Kaustubh’s team is spread across multiple geographies, with the biggest focus currently on India, where they see a big opportunity. “We are building a team of highly motivated technologists who want to solve problems using the latest technology,” he explains. “From healthcare to financial risks, from insurance to government – we help a variety of customers access risks in their portfolios using cloud-based big data platforms. In the past few years, through the pandemic, we have supported a variety of customers across the globe and built a strong team of technologists in Mumbai and Chennai.”
When it comes to supporting a high-growth business, KD explains that having established processes and a motivated team to execute them is crucial. “My team has proactively taken a factory approach,” he says. “From pre-built training modules to a variety of models in hiring and building talent – we have created a culture of growth that is sustainable and does not impact the quality of delivery at a larger scale. Innovation is the underpinning of this approach. When something feels too tough to solve or difficult to implement – the team is encouraged to think out of the box and come up with creative solutions.”
KD is most proud of the people in his organization. “From taking initiative to solve problems to loyally standing behind you in tough times (pandemic), my team is the bedrock on which we are building the foundations of a great company,” he says. “It’s one thing to imagine a culture that you want to have – a culture of trust, transparency, innovation, and engagement – it’s another to actually have it implemented and that too at a large scale. My team drives this culture on a day-to-day basis, and all employees from the new hires to the seniors experience and live by it.”
Technical skills are paramount in Kaustubh’s team, but he also identifies the ability to adapt to change, challenge the status quo, and lead a hybrid team as critical to their success. “All such skills, representative of a mature and skilled team, will help us succeed,” he says.
KD emphasizes the unique culture of his team, which he describes as young, dynamic, transparent, and hungry for growth. “Our structure will ensure every employee is happy,” he says. “Our culture is built upon 360-degree employee growth – from salary and benefits, to career growth, from social responsibility to fun events. We take care of our employees throughout and beyond their employment with us.”
One of the key factors behind the success of LexisNexis Risk Solutions is the team culture that has been cultivated over the years. KD notes that the company is a young and dynamic group that values transparency, challenges, and new ideas. “Above all, we are hungry for growth,” he says. “Our culture is unique to our group, and it has helped us be successful despite external challenges.”
KD stresses that candidates should know that they won’t just be a number at LexisNexis Risk Solutions. “No matter how big we get, our structure will ensure every employee is happy,” he says. “Our culture is built upon 360-degree employee growth, from salary and benefits to career growth, from social responsibility to fun events. We take care of our employees throughout and beyond their employment with us.”
Creating an environment where employees can do their best work is essential to the success of any organization. Kaustubh says that LexisNexis Risk Solutions empowers its employees to drive what’s best for them, from flexible work hours to the type of technology solutions they use. Management’s job is to minimize distractions and maximize motivation. The company conducts deliberate activities to ensure employees get the training, mentorship, and guidance they need to deliver the best results.
When it comes to diversity, KD cannot stress enough the importance of women in technology. “We have a huge problem in technology with the small number of women technologists compared to men,” he says. “Diversity in general and women, in particular, bring a unique perspective to solving our problems and make our solutions more efficient. At a leadership level, women can bring compassion, inclusiveness, and a balance in thought leadership.”
In conclusion, LexisNexis Risk Solutions is a leading global provider of big data-enabled risk management solutions. The company’s success can be attributed in large part to the leadership of its VP of Technology, Kaustubh Deshpande, who has built a highly motivated team of technologists in India. KD’’s focus on employee growth and empowerment has helped create a unique and dynamic team culture that has been instrumental in the company’s success. As LexisNexis Risk Solutions continues to grow and expand its business, it remains committed to its employees and to fostering a culture of innovation, inclusion, and growth.
