KPMG’s infrastructure consulting division has seen an exodus in the last three months, with over 25 executives joining rival PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). It began with Amrit Pandurangi, who was heading the division, joining PwC as its executive director.
PwC, which was earlier focusing on the power sector, has now diversified into other infrastructure areas like ports, petroleum, water, transport and aviation. PwC’s infrastructure division is now almost 100-strong.
Pandurangi confirmed he had quit KPMG, but refused to comment on the exodus.
According to sources, PwC had 70-odd executives in its infrastructure consulting division, focusing mostly on power reforms in half-a-dozen states, including Rajasthan, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh.
KPMG’s management and business consulting division focuses on infrastructure and information technology.
The sources said the timing of Pandurangi’s exit was such that the consulting assignments of KPMG’s major clients were over. “It was a smooth transition. There was no shock for any of the clients,” another source added.
PwC has four executive directors focusing on infrastructure. While V Namashi- vayam and Kameshwar Rao deal with the power and energy sectors, Latha Ramanathan and Pandurangi look after the other areas, including transport, ports, shipping, aviation and water.
Senior partners in KPMG, however, said the move did not have any impact on its business. “The infrastructure consulting business continues to be one of our focus areas,” said a partner.
