Career

Anuj Gupta is a senior technology leader and GAICD with more than 20 years of experience translating technology strategy into business outcomes across complex multinational organisations.

Most recently, Anuj was IT Director (CIO) for Data, Digital & IT across Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa at Novartis, where he was accountable for technology strategy, investment, service delivery and risk across a 5,000+ user regional environment spanning 12 time zones.

His experience spans technology operating models, CRM, data and analytics, digital platforms, cloud, technology delivery and regional transformation across highly complex and regulated environments.

Role at Factor

As an Expert Advisor at Factor, Anuj brings a practitioner-led perspective on the operational and strategic decisions that determine whether technology investments deliver genuine business value.

He advises leaders on technology operating models, cost optimisation, strategic planning and the alignment of technology capabilities with business priorities.

His hands-on delivery experience also enables him to challenge whether organisations have the right methodology, capacity, release management and execution capabilities to deliver against their technology strategy.

Anuj also brings experience supporting post-transaction technology integration and separation, helping organisations navigate the operational complexity that follows M&A activity.

Key roles: CIOs, CDOs, CDAOs, COOs, CEOs, Technology & Transformation Leaders, and Finance & Business Leaders.

Previous Roles

Anuj spent almost nine years at Novartis across senior technology leadership roles spanning Australia, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.

He progressed from IT Business Partner / Head of Technology for ANZ to Regional IT Director (CIO), taking responsibility for strategic technology planning, service delivery, digital adoption, technology investment and cross-functional transformation.

His earlier experience included partnering with Sales, Marketing, Finance, HR, Legal and Compliance, giving him a broad perspective on the relationship between technology, operating models and business performance.

Media Presence and Industry Contributions

Anuj holds dual degrees in Information Technology and Commerce from Macquarie University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

He brings extensive experience working across multinational technology environments and is actively engaged with the technology and business leadership community.

Leadership Philosophy

Anuj’s leadership philosophy is built around “Expect the best, prepare for the worst.” He sets high standards and believes in giving people the clarity and support to meet them, while approaching decisions with curiosity and a strong understanding of context, risk and the reasons behind how things work today.

He takes a collaborative approach to complex challenges, bringing people together to build shared context, identify risks and develop practical mitigation strategies. While compliance, data governance and regulatory alignment are non-negotiable, Anuj combines this discipline with an entrepreneurial mindset, adapting quickly, challenging conventional thinking and moving with urgency to deliver outcomes.