Kyndryl Chairman and CEO Martin Schroeter: Leading India’s Tech Expansion

By Editorial Desk | August 22, 2025

Martin Schroeter, Chairman and CEO of Kyndryl Holdings, Inc., has emerged as a pivotal figure in the global IT infrastructure services landscape, particularly with a recent $2.25 billion investment commitment in India over three years. This strategic move, announced following Schroeter’s meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 21, 2025, underscores Kyndryl’s long-term focus on leveraging India’s technological talent and economic growth. As the leader of the world’s largest IT infrastructure services provider, Schroeter is driving innovation in AI, cloud, and security, with a significant emphasis on India’s role in global tech solutions. This article provides a detailed analysis of Schroeter’s leadership, Kyndryl’s India strategy, and the broader implications, supported by data in tables and answers to frequently asked questions.

Overview of Martin Schroeter and Kyndryl’s India Commitment

Martin Schroeter, a dual U.S.-Australian citizen, has been Kyndryl’s Chairman and CEO since its inception as an IBM spin-off in January 2021, with his chairmanship formalized in November 2021. Kyndryl, managing mission-critical IT systems for over 4,600 clients in 60+ countries, is headquartered in New York and operates with 90,000 employees globally. Schroeter’s meeting with PM Modi in New Delhi highlighted Kyndryl’s $2.25 billion investment plan to expand technical capabilities, develop talent, and strengthen community partnerships in India. This aligns with India’s ambitions in semiconductors, biotech, and digital transformation, positioning Kyndryl as a key partner in the country’s $4 trillion economy.

Schroeter’s leadership emphasizes agentic AI frameworks and hybrid cloud solutions, as evidenced by the launch of the Kyndryl Agentic AI Framework in 2025, designed to scale AI adoption for enterprises. His vision builds on a 30-year career at IBM, where he served as CFO (2014–2017) and Senior Vice President of Global Markets (2018–2020), managing a $37 billion asset base and global operations.

Schroeter’s Career and Kyndryl’s Evolution

Born in 1964, Schroeter earned a Bachelor’s in Economics and Finance from Temple University and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University. He joined IBM in 1992 after working as a corporate banking officer, holding roles in Japan, the U.S., and Australia, including IBM Treasurer (2007–2011) and General Manager of Global Financing (2011–2014). As IBM’s CFO, he realigned the company’s spending toward strategic initiatives, and as head of Global Markets, he oversaw global sales and customer relationships.

In January 2021, Schroeter was appointed CEO of IBM’s Managed Infrastructure Services spin-off, initially called “NewCo,” which became Kyndryl in July 2021. The spin-off, completed on November 4, 2021, created a standalone entity focused on designing, managing, and modernizing IT infrastructure, with a $60 billion service backlog. Under Schroeter, Kyndryl has expanded into non-IBM technologies like cloud, AI, and security, with India as a key growth hub.

Detailed Breakdown of Kyndryl’s India Strategy

Investment Details

• Amount: $2.25 billion over three years, announced post-Meeting with PM Modi on August 21, 2025.
• Objectives:

• • Expand technical capabilities in AI, cloud, and security.
  • Develop India’s talent pool, employing tens of thousands.
  • Strengthen community partnerships for innovation and growth.
• Context: Supports India’s goals in semiconductors, biotech, and IT, as outlined in Modi’s BIO E3 policy and semiconductor manufacturing push.

Strategic Initiatives

• Agentic AI Framework: Launched in 2025, this framework enables enterprises to deploy AI agents for hybrid and on-premise environments, addressing complexity and scalability.
• U.S.-India Partnership: Schroeter emphasized empowering women through financial inclusion and strengthening bilateral tech ties, as discussed at a September 2024 roundtable with Modi in New York.
• Business Forum Engagement: Schroeter’s participation in the U.S.-India Business Council and interactions with India’s Ministry of External Affairs highlight Kyndryl’s commitment to India’s tech ecosystem.

Leadership Impact

Schroeter’s global experience and strategic vision have positioned Kyndryl as a trusted partner for 4,600 clients, including Indian enterprises. His focus on “open integration platforms” and collaboration with India’s youth aligns with Modi’s call for global solutions benefiting both India and the world.

Trends and Implications

Strategic Rationale

Schroeter’s leadership leverages India’s skilled workforce and $4 trillion economy to position Kyndryl as a leader in AI and cloud services. The $2.25 billion investment counters U.S. tariffs (50% on Indian goods) by strengthening domestic tech capabilities, aligning with India’s “Atmanirbhar” (self-reliance) vision. The Agentic AI Framework addresses enterprise needs for scalable, secure AI, a critical differentiator in a $1 trillion AI market.

Economic and Industry Impacts

• Job Creation: The investment will create thousands of high-skill jobs, boosting India’s IT sector, which employs 5.4 million professionals.
• Tech Leadership: Kyndryl’s focus on AI and cloud supports India’s semiconductor and biotech ambitions, enhancing its global tech standing.
• Stock Market: Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) saw a 3% share rise post-announcement on August 21, 2025, reflecting investor confidence.

Challenges

• U.S. Tariffs: Trade tensions could impact Kyndryl’s U.S.-India operations, requiring careful navigation.
• Competition: Rivals like Accenture and TCS dominate India’s IT services market, challenging Kyndryl’s expansion.
• Execution Risks: Scaling AI and cloud solutions in India demands robust infrastructure and talent retention.

Future Projections

Kyndryl’s investment could grow its Indian workforce by 20% by 2028, with potential to manage $100 billion in client assets. Schroeter’s leadership may drive Kyndryl to capture 10% of India’s $250 billion IT services market by 2030, especially if the Agentic AI Framework gains traction. Further collaborations with Indian policymakers could strengthen U.S.-India tech ties, though geopolitical risks remain.

Kyndryl’s India Investment Snapshot (2025)

Martin Schroeter’s Career Milestones

FAQs

Who is Martin Schroeter?
Martin Schroeter is the Chairman and CEO of Kyndryl, a leading IT infrastructure services provider, with a 30-year career at IBM before leading Kyndryl’s 2021 spin-off.

What is Kyndryl’s $2.25 billion investment in India?
Announced on August 21, 2025, it focuses on expanding AI, cloud, and security capabilities, developing talent, and fostering community partnerships over three years.

Why did Schroeter meet PM Modi?
To discuss Kyndryl’s commitment to India’s tech growth, aligning with semiconductor, biotech, and IT goals, as confirmed in a New Delhi meeting on August 21, 2025.

What is the Agentic AI Framework?
Launched in 2025, it’s Kyndryl’s platform for scaling AI adoption in enterprises, supporting hybrid and on-premise environments.

How does Kyndryl support India’s economy?
Through job creation, technical innovation, and partnerships, Kyndryl boosts India’s $4 trillion economy and global tech leadership.

What is Schroeter’s background?
He holds degrees from Temple University and Carnegie Mellon, with leadership roles at IBM in Japan, the U.S., and Australia, including CFO (2014–2017).

How does this relate to U.S.-India ties?
Schroeter’s discussions with Modi strengthen bilateral tech partnerships, supporting India’s ambitions despite U.S. tariffs.

What are the risks for Kyndryl in India?
U.S. tariffs, competition from Accenture and TCS, and execution challenges in scaling AI and cloud solutions.

How does Kyndryl’s stock perform?
Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) shares rose 3% after the India investment announcement on August 21, 2025.

What’s next for Kyndryl under Schroeter?
Expansion in India’s IT market, potential 20% workforce growth by 2028, and leadership in AI and cloud solutions globally.