New Delhi, Nov 19 (ANI/Business Wire India): Headstrong, one of the world's leading IT consulting firms in the financial services industry today announced the appointment of Sandeep Sahai, President and Chief Operating Officer, as CEO of the company effective January 1, 2010.

Sandeep will be based at the firm's corporate headquarters in Virginia, USA and takes over from current CEO and erstwhile co-founder of the HCL Group, Arjun Malhotra, who will continue as Chairman of the company.

Sandeep's appointment is designed to cement and accelerate Headstrong's emergence as Wall Street's dominant IT consulting company, in light of the transformation faced by the financial services industry in general, and the securities sector in particular.

"Sandeep had spearheaded our entry into the financial services sector years ago, and I am confident he will not only ensure absolute global leadership for us in this space but also transition the company from a medium-sized niche firm to a large outsourcing corporation that will compete with the established global IT behemoths," said Arjun.

"While competitors are reducing their exposure to financial services, we continue to invest aggressively in chosen verticals, given the deluge of regulatory changes and the continual emergence of new financial products," said Sandeep.

Headstrong's strategy continues to focus on helping clients transform their fixed-cost structures to variable ones.

Headstrong recently acquired mortgage processing company Lydian Data Services, making it a leading provider of correspondent loan fulfillment services. The acquisition of boutique firm iXPartners additionally boosted capabilities in middle and back-office operations to asset management institutions.

Globally, the company today has close to 3000 employees spread across 19 offices in 8 countries. Headstrong's India operations include 1500 employees and development centers in Noida, Bangalore and Hyderabad. (ANI)