LEADERSHIP TEAM

Expertise. Experience. Excellence.

Niraj is the Founder & Chairman of Board, and Group CEO. As the Founder, he spells out the vision and strategic direction for Gateway Group, its portfolio ventures and brands. He successfully endorses Gateway Group as one of the best choices within the target markets. He is responsible for consolidated growth in markets across the globe.

He is at the helm of several initiatives in technology, applications, processes, customer deliveries and business development. In addition to driving revenue and profitability, a key part of his focus is to ensure that the appropriate structure is in place to deliver continued high levels of client and stakeholders’ satisfaction. He Manages the consistent growth of the group over the years while retaining 100% financial stability and continuous sustenance of the company by having the best of the teams to work for the company to retain its cutting edge technological competence in the global markets has been his core competence.

People management, financial planning and process orientation at operational levels have been his forte. He has built a philosophy of growth around the key drivers of Client Intimacy, Sustainable Relationship model which delivers the highest value, Operational Excellence and End-to-end business solutions. His value based business approach and ethical growth focus differentiates Gateway Group, its portfolio ventures and brands. He ensures that the customers globally value our principles and are able to derive a throughput from the relationships.

He is an Engineer with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from one of the top 10 Management Institutes in India.

Vipin is the Founder & Board Member, Group Chief Strategy Officer. He is responsible for Strategy, Execution and Results at Gateway Group. Vipin is also responsible for global inorganic initiatives (‘Buy & Build’) of Gateway Group. With a unique blend of Indian background, combined with Dutch/International exposure, he has evolved as an entrepreneur at ‘heart and soul’. Vipin believes fervently that “There is no substitute for hard work”.

Vipin is an ‘Innovation Agent’ with over twenty two years of managerial and consulting experience, he appears frequently in the media and regularly speaks at events. Vipin served in The Netherlands India Chamber of Commerce and Trade (NICCT) as an active Board Member and Chairman (2015-2017), and recently he has been awarded “The Most Inspiring Businessman of The Year Award” by IDEAH (Indo Dutch Entrepreneurs Association in Holland).

Vipin had worked in the USA and the UK with multinationals before deciding to undertake his own entrepreneurial adventure. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Sciences Engineering and he is a Master’s in Business Administration.

As the co-founder and technocrat, Indrajeet directs the company’s strategic direction, development and future growth through sustained technological innovations and product roadmap. He leads the teams to attain the company’s strategic goals established in the annual plan. He laid the foundation of the frameworks on which Gateway Group has created the niche today as the preferred technology partner to global customers. He heads a powerful multi-platform and multi-skilled technology team to build capabilities and achieve quality benchmarks. Indrajeet has taken upon himself to build the next level of leadership in the system to aid the growth of Gateway as the magnet of innovation and talent. He has consistently delivered a positive change and built the winning team at Gateway. His leadership inspires efforts of his team, who use technology to outline standards and provide innovative solutions for next-Gen technology. Prior to being a part of Gateway, Indrajeet used to manage large-scale projects at Veritas Inc. He has over 25+ years of experience and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science and Master’s in Computer Application from Gujarat University. He has also completed his Executive MBA course from the Haas School of Business UC Berkeley, California.

Rahul co-devises global sales strategies and identifies business opportunities across geographies and accounts. He drives the business growth of Gateway Group especially in the Europe, Middle East and East Africa regions. He is a partner in the customer’s journeys, managing relationships to ensure mutual growth and success.

Rahul extends business development strategies into channels such as joint ventures, partnerships and affiliate programs. The approach he carries is to have a legal structure in each region which is directly responsible for the customer relationship. He makes corporate brands, various services as well as products in its relevant markets, partners and JV units. He makes sure that teams are identified, well-placed, motivated, trained, recruited and accountable for their tasks and deliveries. As the leader of his team, he guides and catalyzes each of his team-mates’ progress as an individual as well as for the overall progress of the organization. He keeps himself updated with the global tech and business trends to funnel the market intelligence back into the system for product roadmaps.

He has an eye to identify resourceful candidates and opportunities for inorganic growth. He also implements Marketing, Sales and STC strategies. He excels in go-to-market plans for each region, reviews the activities, and loves to maintain P2P connect with the customers. This helps him gauge the impact his strategies have on them and improvise accordingly.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics engineering from S.P. University, V.V. Nagar and MBA in marketing from MS University, Baroda.

Ashit is Chief Executive Officer of Gateway’s Autofacets’ division. His chief responsibilities involve day-to-day management decisions and implementation of the company’s long and short-term plans as well as to drive plans to success for the Autofacets domain to progress. With over 15 years of experience in the global IT industry Ashit has had a dynamic management career with strong leadership, problem-solving, planning, team building and account management skills.

He is successfully developing, motivating and retaining diverse teams and structuring them in teams that deliver results internationally. Ashit has strong expertise in implementing end-to-end complex technology projects in Automotive, Banking, Hospitality and Retail verticals. The client relationship is an area of utmost importance to Ashit. He builds excellent relationship with clients and partners as well as secures the performance of global deliveries.

He is culturally sensitive with the experience of working in Europe and Asia. He is respected for team-based management style, value-based leadership skills and vision based organizational design. He is a fan of Manchester United FC and a good sport who takes the banter from his colleagues with a pinch of salt (hoping for a comeback soon).

Ashit holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a Master’s degree in Information Technology (MIT) along with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance.

Vilas is the Chief Technology Officer at Gateway’s Autofacets division. His rich experience in 100+ successful projects in matured markets gives him the depth to offer relevant technology and solutions in the journey of transformation. He works closely with clients in devising their roadmap and strategies for overall success. He has carved his way up from a project engineer to a CTO. Vilas is playing a key role in the company’s growth and leads the architecture framework for the development of many critical and large-scale projects in the field of Automotive, Finance, Insurance, Banking, e-commerce and IT. A few of Vilas’ qualities are that he is a very curious person and open to new learnings and that has made him keep his clients satisfied with his innovative tech and spontaneous solutions. As a CTO, Vilas effectively holds, develops, articulates and continually evolves the company’s strategic direction and product roadmap. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication from Gujarat University.

Shivangi Vakil is AutoFacets’ Chief Operating Officer (COO), responsible for the company’s seamless operations across the globe, ensuring operational excellence by effectively executing the company’s business strategy along with the CEO . Her role is to orchestrate company-wide operational excellence for AutoFacets, with the agenda of sustainable growth and smarter eco-systems for the automotive companies. Prior to becoming the COO, Ms. Shivangi was leading the company’s finance and legal affairs as Vice President with an additional role of Head of the Human Resource Management. She has extensive experience of 14 years in Management and Operation Strategy. Shivangi holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration with the specialization in Finance and HR.

PauI is an experienced, executive with global expertise, managing skilled professionals both in the areas of operations as well as business development. He has been instrumental in enabling customers to adapt to changing strategies, supplying, and implementing complex IT solutions for several international Fortune500 companies in industries like automotive, shipping, and pharma. He is responsible for the growth of AutoFacets by ensuring the existing customers will continue to collaborate with us to strengthen their business. Subsequently, he is developing, presenting, and executing our business vision for interested prospects.

His elaborate experience within the supply of cloud-based solutions and related consultancy allowed him to develop strength in deploying digital solutions, including management of change on the client side and becoming a trustworthy advisor. By motivating his associates, he creates a win-win for both customers and AutoFacets.

He represents high ethical personal- as well as company values and influences both internal and external stakeholders while being considered an empathic manager and a strong believer in participative leadership.

As an engineer, Paul holds a Masters Degree in Operations Research and Computer Resources Management and got also certified by INSEAD Business School for Business Strategy and Financial Performance.

Finn Jentoft, based out of Norway, is our business partner for the Nordic territories. AutoFacets has been collaborating with Finn since 2018. From the successes of this collaboration, Finn grew out to become our associate partner, a valuable role he has taken up since early 2021.

He has a successful career spanning multiple aspects of the automotive industry, where he has fulfilled management positions throughout the value chain, with examples like manufacturer, supplier, chain office, and retail. Next to his many projects and his own company, InBiz AZ, he works alongside AutoFacets to provide a peek into the candy shop of the automotive business.

His broad network makes him a spear into the Nordic market. This kind of leadership, combined with strong points like strategy and analysis, opens doors for AutoFacets. He is generally seen as the person who potential clients want to talk to when it comes to digitalizing and modernizing their business and the exploration of new business ventures in the Nordic Automotive Industry.

Alf Lande has the expertise within business model innovation and the convergence of media. He has worked as an executive in several media companies (film, radio and print) from 1988 to 1996, after 4 years in the public sector and also was a professor in Denmark. As a strategy consultant since 2000 (CEO of LAC AS), he has had more than 50 clients across the Nordics, focusing on the transformation of analog to digital media. He has both worked with leading analytical agencies and business associations.

For the past three years Alf Lande has increasingly focused on digital agencies in Norway and Sweden and has been hired as a CEO in Pingbull as part of the company’s transformation to become the digital care of RedInk, one of the leading communication agencies in Norway. He has been working as a chairman and leading the transformation of Sticky Beat from being a classical digital agency to an innovational and transformational partner to its clients. The urgent need to create and develop players that deeply understand digital transformation is now an imperative strategic focus area for most businesses – the main motivation for Alf Lande to join Gateway Digital AS as a CEO.

Stephen Covers, is the CEO of Gateway Digital, UK and Ireland. Steve, as he likes to be called, has extensive experience in Sales, Marketing, Operations & Finance and he has enjoyed a successful business career spanning more than 25 years in the Global ICT Industry.

His passion is to create significant business advantage for his clients using innovative services and solutions for his clients.

Steve believes, that in order for a company to deliver optimised, competitive and strategic solutions to its customers, it’s people should strive hard to gain in-depth knowledge of their client’s business and its needs, before asking for one.

Steve has led several profitable and high growth business outsourcing divisions for over 10 years of his career, and while this has been his primary focus, he has personally led many successful global business programmes across many different verticals; including securing and delivering several ICT outsourcing projects and contracts, each in excess of $150m value or more.

Steve has a degree in Physical Science (Hons) from Coventry University, London. In 1982, soon after his graduation, Steve started his career as a Software Graduate Engineer for a Digital Equipment Company. Thereon, Steve has supported a series of senior roles in sales, commercial, and operational in companies like Sprint, Equant, Verizon Business and Getronics.

Steve and his wife Mandy live with their three children to the West of London, where they enjoy walking and watching their children participate in various sporting activities.

Daniel has joined Gateway Digital, Germany, as the Sales Manager. He is also involved in selling automotive offerings in this region.

He is an experienced IT business development and sales manager with a proven success record of managing teams and driving business growth for over 7 years. Daniel understands the automotive ecosystem well, including retail, mobility solutions, and independent aftermarkets.

With a defined consultancy approach to bridge the gaps within the existing client’s solution landscape, Daniel has the ability to make their business more successful. His analytical capabilities, goal-oriented approach, and positive mindset will be the key to driving AutoFacets’ enhanced visibility and value in the DACH region.

Sandip Maniar is the Vice President of Technology at Autofacets. Next to that he also has an active role as Customer Success Manager within the company.

He has been active for Autofacets for over 11 years. It is his passion to work directly with customers and form a bridge between our on-site and offshore teams is a very hands-on approach. This approach provides immediate solutions to the direct problems at hand. Sandip relocated from our India office in 2013 to fortify our team in the Netherlands.

The engineering and technological knowledge allows Sandip to operate across multiple accounts within the mobility ecosystems, automotive retail, and independent aftermarket. He fulfills this role for customers across Europe. He is an expert in setting up Center of Excellence teams across multiple accounts and smartly and strongly believes that technical business and delivery of technology is a team effort.

With his disciplined workflow and cultural adaptivity, he can deliver quality results with a personal touch. This allows his clients to grow in the market and ensure a profitable tomorrow.

Arvind has 21 years of industry experience spanning different domains and technology stacks. He has been with the organization for over 16 years as its Head of Delivery. Next to that, he also plays the active role of Chief Architect within AutoFacets.

Being an expert in both Functional Subject Matter and Technical Subject Matter, Arvind manages engagements that are technically challenging. He is involved in complete end-to-end processes for execution, ensuring high quality, and auditing with third parties. He also actively participates with the Sales and Pre-Sales Team by providing consultancy and aiding with expectation management towards customers. Arvind loves to explore new tech stacks and research different software. He has worked extensively on various Microsoft technologies and developed solutions for BFSI & Automotive industries.