Hyderabad powers our global transformation, evolving from cost-driven hub to strategic innovation centre: Bharat Punukollu, EY GDS

EY Global Delivery Services (GDS) has rapidly transformed from a labour-arbitrage model into a technology-led innovation powerhouse, with its Hyderabad centre playing a pivotal role in this journey. Since its launch in 2021, the centre has scaled to over 5,000 professionals and is projected to double its workforce by FY’29. Positioned as one of EY’s most strategic hubs worldwide, the Hyderabad centre is driving next-generation solutions across AI, automation, analytics, and cloud, while also fostering a vibrant culture of innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity. In this conversation with Express Computer, Bharat Punukollu, Executive Director, Technology Consulting, EY GDS, shares how the Hyderabad centre is shaping EY’s global innovation agenda, building future-ready talent, and collaborating with India’s thriving GCC and startup ecosystem.

Could you start by sharing the strategic vision behind EY GDS’s Hyderabad centre, its mandate, scale, and how it fits into ...