Akhilesh Ayer is the CEO at Cactus Technology Solutions (CACTUS), a technology company combining AI-powered solutions with domain expertise to serve academia, scholarly publishing, and industries including life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and
financial services.

As a business leader and technologist, he is responsible for setting the company’s strategy, managing its P&L, driving global expansion, overseeing operations, and spearheading overall business performance. He leads a diverse international team
focused on delivering research solutions that empower customers and create a positive impact.

Prior to joining CACTUS, Akhilesh served as Executive Vice President and Head of Data, Analytics, AI & Research (Triange) business unit at WNS. During his thirteen year tenure at WNS, he successfully transformed the business unit by adopting a differentiated go-to-market strategy, reimagining the product-service mix, building a best-in-class operational ecosystem, and implementing industry-leading people practices that helped achieve stellar results. He also played a pivotal role in shaping the business unit’s M&A strategy, leading successful acquisitions and integrations.

Earlier in his career, Akhilesh held multiple leadership positions at GE, Crisil among other organizations. With over 25 years of experience, Akhilesh has a proven track record of running global businesses, managing diverse client portfolios, and executing
large-scale transformation programs across various industry verticals, products, and services.

Beyond his professional commitments, Akhilesh is an avid sports enthusiast and a strong advocate for maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle. His passion for fitness is matched by his love for books, he is a voracious reader with a keen interest in
leadership, history, and world affairs. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his loved ones and traveling to new destinations, where he immerses in diverse cultures and cuisines.