The role of the global Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is evolving from conventional infrastructure oversight to a strategic collaboration with the business, emphasizing AI integration, technological ethics, and sustainability to promote innovation, expansion, and competitive edge.
CTOs are progressively managing intricate tech ecosystems, aligning technology with business objectives, and articulating complex technical choices to leadership, thus becoming essential to digital transformation and sustained success. Let's learn the 5 notable CTO appointments in Asia during August 2025.
Maaden Appoints Donovan Waller to Lead Mining Tech Future
Saudi mining leader Maaden hires Donovan Waller as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Donovan, an acknowledged tech leader in the mining industry, has formerly spearheaded projects at the UK firm Anglo American.
This strategic hiring reflects a commitment to emphasizing technology integration within Maaden's primary operations. The firm states that Donovan’s hiring is a strategic move that strengthens our dedication to innovation and the implementation of cutting-edge technologies throughout our processes. Donovan Waller has a remarkable history of technological innovations in the industrial field.
In his prior position at Anglo American as Chief Information Officer (CIO), he was instrumental in shaping their FutureSmart Mining initiative. This initiative combines cutting-edge technology with environmental factors to establish operations that are safer, more effective, and eco-friendly. His knowledge extends past conventional IT roles, having effectively implemented significant operational technology (OT) systems vital for connecting elements like self-driving trucks and processing facilities.
Also Read: A Study of Singapore's Leadership Strategy in Tourism in 2025
Donovan's expertise in data analysis, automation, and extensive digital integration, supported by his experience at PwC, positions him uniquely to oversee Maaden's technology-driven goals.
Lee Klarich as CTO of Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto Networks, a leader in global cybersecurity, announced the appointment of Lee Klarich as Chief Product Officer (CPO), who has also taken on the responsibilities of CTO to maintain the company's leadership in AI and platformization, providing the real-time, AI-driven security that customers need for their digital and AI transformations.
Nir Zuk established Palo Alto Networks in 2005, leading the way in next-generation firewalls and transforming the cybersecurity field. Following twenty years of contributing to the company's growth into a leading force in global cybersecurity, he is moving on to focus on a new array of challenges and unexplored concepts he is eager to pursue.
In his role as Chief Product and Technology Officer, Klarich will oversee the company's technology strategy and guide the product and engineering teams to provide the most thorough, integrated, and AI-driven cybersecurity platforms in the industry. He became part of Palo Alto Networks in 2006 and has played a crucial role in shaping the company's product strategy and innovation as CPO. His selection to the board guarantees ongoing technical knowledge at the top tiers of the company.
Ui-jong Choi appointed Chief Technology Officer at Hyperconnect
Ui-jong Choi has been named Chief Technology Officer at Hyperconnect, the South Korean video chat platform owned by Match Group.
Ui-jong brings more than twenty years of expertise in the gaming and platform industries, having directed development teams and technological strategies at various organizations. At Hyperconnect, he will lead the development of the company's global technology strategy, focusing on cultivating a robust engineering culture and enhancing Hyperconnect's footprint in global markets.
Ui-jong's experience encompasses managing the creation of Lost Ark Mobile in the role of Technical Director at Smilegate RPG. He formerly occupied leadership positions at Nexon Games, acting as Technical Director for the action role-playing title HIT, and at Wemade IO, where he directed the development of Lost Saga as Chief Technology Officer.
While at Smilegate RPG, Choi set up a new mobile development studio and promoted a quality-first mindset in product development. At Nexon Games, he played a key role in the worldwide growth of major titles by establishing localisation and operational frameworks. At Wemade IO, in his role as CTO, he expanded the development team and initiated significant game projects.
In addition to advancing Hyperconnect's international technology strategy, Choi's hiring signifies an ongoing commitment to develop a top-tier technology organization.
Also Read: 5 Pioneers of Japanese Automotive Industry You Should Know About
The firm asserts that a leadership framework headed by a CTO is crucial for improving its market responsiveness, enabling it to react more efficiently to worldwide technology developments.
EY India appoints Gaurav Bhalotia as Chief Technology Officer
Gaurav Bhalotia has been named the new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at EY India. In this position, Gaurav will head EY India’s innovation and technology strategy, collaborating closely with client service and product teams to improve and broaden the firm's software-based solutions (digital assets).
Gaurav’s hiring coincides with EY India’s swift growth in AI-driven, technology-focused business solutions designed to assist clients in managing a rapidly changing digital environment. The company’s Technology division has experienced considerable expansion in recent years, with intentions to further enhance its AI, data, and digital transformation competencies.
Gaurav has more than 20 years of experience in leading technology, large-scale systems, machine learning, and product strategy. Prior to his tenure at EY India, he was the CTO of Udaan, a B2B e-commerce platform, where he oversaw product, engineering, data science, design, and infrastructure, creating a strong technological framework that facilitated swift growth.
As Vice President of Engineering at Flipkart, he was instrumental in defining the company’s initial technology framework, which encompassed customer platforms and product stacks for discovery, web, and merchandising.
Also Read: Investopia 2025: A Grand Plan to Revitalize the Global Investment Landscape
Gaurav established FindMyHealth, a personalized wellness platform, and has served as an advisor and angel investor for multiple early-stage startups. He launched his career in the US at Oracle after earning his Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of California. He also possesses a BTech degree from IIT Bombay.
Cohesity Appoints Greg Statton as Chief Technology Officer, Asia Pacific and Japan
Cohesity, a frontrunner in AI-driven data security, has today revealed the appointment of Greg Statton as Chief Technology Officer for the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) area. In this newly established position, Statton will guide technology strategy and innovation efforts throughout APJ, advancing Cohesity's goal to provide cutting-edge data protection solutions in the area after the successful merger with Veritas' enterprise data protection division.
Greg will assume the new position while continuing his current duties of overseeing innovation and development of Cohesity's AI solution – Gaia, on a global scale, and will report directly to Sunil Moolchandani.
Greg 's appointment indicates Cohesity's heightened investment in APJ — particularly in Japan — as a crucial growth market and strategic focus area for FY26. Cohesity acknowledges the rising customer demands for enhanced efficiency and greater business resilience that sophisticated, fully integrated AI and data security solutions can offer in Japan and throughout the area. The newly established position of Field CTO for APJ will allow for more tailored customer needs in the APJ markets to be addressed through targeted R&D and solution innovation in the product roadmap, and will enhance engagement with enterprise and government clients throughout the region.
Greg 's new position broadens his decade-long tenure at Cohesity, where he has held several leadership roles in sales engineering and technical innovation, including VP of AI Solutions and Senior Director of Data & AI in the CTO's office. Before joining Cohesity, Statton worked at CITRIX, Nutanix, and served as a product development specialist at Google. Throughout his career, Statton has played a key role in promoting cloud, security, and AI technologies across various sectors.