People Move · October 2026
Bhrigu Joshi Returns to India as Head of People & Culture at SAP
Before returning to SAP, Joshi served as Google’s Market HR Leader for India. His career has included senior HR positions at SAP, MakeMyTrip and HSBC, giving him experience across technology, travel and financial services.
The appointment
SAP has appointed Bhrigu Joshi as Head of People & Culture in India, bringing him back to the country after leading the company’s People & Culture function across the UK and Ireland. His appointment brings together experience in HR leadership, global people initiatives and business partnering across major organisations.
Before returning to SAP, Joshi served as Google’s Market HR Leader for India. His career has included senior HR positions at SAP, MakeMyTrip and HSBC, giving him experience across technology, travel and financial services.
From Google to SAP: A New Chapter in HR Leadership
Prior to this appointment, Joshi was working with Google as Market HR Leader for India. The role added to his experience in supporting people strategy within a major global technology company.
His move back to SAP also marks a return to an organisation where he has previously held several important HR responsibilities. Having worked across different markets and business functions, he brings an understanding of how people strategies can support organisations operating across geographies.
Leading People & Culture Across the UK and Ireland
From December 2023 to November 2025, Joshi served as Vice President and Head of People & Culture at SAP UK and Ireland. During this period, he led the People & Culture function for the two markets.
The experience gave him exposure to HR leadership across an international business environment. Working across markets involves understanding local workforce needs while ensuring people practices remain aligned with broader organisational priorities.
His return to India follows this international assignment and places him in a leadership role within SAP’s India operations.
Earlier Experience at SAP, MakeMyTrip and HSBC
Joshi’s association with SAP extends beyond his UK and Ireland leadership role. In earlier positions, he led global people initiatives and worked in HR business partnering for the Technology & Innovation board area across India and Singapore.
These responsibilities connected people management with business priorities across multiple locations. His experience in global initiatives and HR business partnering forms an important part of his professional background.
He has also held senior HR responsibilities at MakeMyTrip and gained experience at HSBC. Together, these roles have exposed him to different business environments and the people-related requirements that come with them.
What His Appointment Means for SAP India
As Head of People & Culture in India, Joshi will lead the company’s People & Culture function in the country. His experience across India, Singapore, the UK and Ireland gives him exposure to different markets and organisational contexts.
His background includes international HR leadership, global people initiatives and business partnering within SAP’s Technology & Innovation area. This combination is relevant to organisations seeking to connect talent priorities with business goals while working across teams and geographies.
The specific priorities and initiatives he will lead in his new India role have not been detailed in the information available for this article. However, his return follows a period of international leadership within SAP and a more recent role at Google.
Educational Background
Joshi holds a master’s degree in Human Resource Management and Labour Relations from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). He also earned a bachelor’s degree in Power Engineering from the National Power Training Institute.
His academic background combines technical education with specialised training in human resources and labour relations.
Hire Route Take
Bhrigu Joshi’s appointment as Head of People & Culture in India marks his return to SAP after leading the function across the UK and Ireland. His experience at Google, along with previous roles at SAP, MakeMyTrip and HSBC, reflects a career spanning HR business partnering, global people initiatives and senior HR leadership.
As he takes on this responsibility, his international experience and familiarity with SAP’s people function provide relevant context for his next chapter in India.