Now more than ever, technology is the flagbearer of growth for a world that looks towards future horizons
In a world increasingly defined by volatility—geopolitical shifts, economic disruption, and digital acceleration—Shibin Chulliparambil, Head of IT at Blue Star Limited, is navigating change, and leveraging it to the fullest. With over two decades of experience and a strategic mindset shaped by global exposure, Shibin is spearheading Blue Star’s transformation from an operationally sound legacy brand into a digitally agile, data-intelligent enterprise.
“At Blue Star, we’ve always stayed ahead of change,” he says. “We’re building strong data foundations that allow us to not just react—but to think ahead.” For Shibin, data intelligence is no longer a value-add—it’s the backbone of business resilience. In a time when disruptions are frequent and decision-making cycles tighter than ever, robust data frameworks are powering smarter, faster, and more contextual decisions.
This shift in perspective, from support to strategic partnership, defines Shibin’s leadership approach. The role of IT is no longer confined to infrastructure and uptime. It now includes driving growth, enabling innovation, and contributing directly to business value.
The transformation is visible in major initiatives like Blue Star’s SAP S4 HANA implementation. But for Shibin, success isn’t defined by system rollout alone. “It’s not just about implementation,” he says. “It’s about aligning digital transformation with business goals, ensuring stakeholder engagement, managing change effectively, and tracking the right performance metrics.” The goal? To make every technological shift tangible, measurable, and growth-oriented.
As global trade dynamics evolve, Shibin sees technology as the bridge for Indian enterprises to remain competitive and globally relevant. “Digital transformation empowers companies to adapt to disruptions, seize new opportunities, and drive innovation. It helps us streamline trade, personalise customer experiences, and scale with agility.”
Internally, Shibin fosters a culture of innovation—something especially vital during periods of economic or operational uncertainty. “We encourage our teams to take risks and dedicate time to creative projects,” he shares. “Cross-functional collaboration is key, as is recognition. By institutionalising processes for idea development, we make innovation part of everyday business—not an isolated initiative.”
What makes his approach notable is its practicality. Shibin is not interested in innovation theatre. His focus remains grounded in value creation, delivered through well-managed processes and people-first transformation. His leadership model blends discipline and dynamism, structure and stretch—making room for daily execution and future-thinking projects in tandem.
At a time when only 9% of global IT leaders see their role as contributing directly to growth, Shibin is actively shifting that narrative. He advocates for IT to be a growth engine—optimising tech investments, driving automation, and aligning digital capabilities with strategic priorities.
The future, in his view, lies in unlocking AI’s full potential—not just as a tool, but as a digital colleague embedded in workflows. “It’s not about adopting AI for the sake of it,” he believes, “but about using it to free up human potential and enable more impactful work.”
At the heart of this journey is a belief that technology is not just a support system, but a catalyst for long-term impact and growth. And leaders like Shibin are ensuring that it’s also a compass that helps chart a course through a world in flux.
“We’re not just reacting to change—we’re thinking ahead with purpose.”
