Bengaluru: NetApp has appointed Syam Nair as its new Chief Product Officer (CPO), effective 7 July 2025. The move comes as the company sharpens its focus on hybrid cloud and AI-driven data services amid increasing competition in enterprise infrastructure markets.
Nair replaces Harv Bhela, who stepped down in June after leading NetApp’s product development through a significant phase of transformation. The leadership change signals a strategic recalibration as NetApp aims to deepen its presence in cloud-centric enterprise services.
With over 25 years of experience, Nair joins from cybersecurity firm Zscaler, where he served as Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of R&D. He has previously held senior roles at Microsoft and Salesforce, overseeing large-scale cloud and data service platforms.
At Microsoft, Nair contributed to the global expansion of Azure’s data infrastructure. At Salesforce, he played a key role in the development of Data Cloud, a platform aimed at enhancing AI-powered customer engagement. His background in scaling enterprise-grade platforms aligns with NetApp’s ambition to build out its capabilities in hybrid environments that combine on-premises infrastructure with cloud-based services.
NetApp CEO George Kurian noted that enterprises increasingly demand both innovation and operational simplicity from their technology partners. He said Nair’s experience with large-scale systems and team leadership will be crucial as the company looks to expand in data, cloud, and AI markets.
