THE SEISMIC SHIFT

GROWING CITIES LEADING INDIA'S NEXT TALENT FRONTIER

Companies are pursuing growth centres in Tier 2 cities as new talent hubs, driving the big talent hunt due to a combination of factors, including cost advantages, lifestyle preferences, remote work trends, and proactive local policies. Today, global enterprises are looking beyond metros for better access to talent.

These new favourites are not just growing—they're becoming powerhouses of innovation and opportunity. They attract top talent, drive economic growth, and set new benchmarks for excellence. This shift positions them as vital contributors to India's future, showcasing their potential to evolve into global hubs of talent and innovation.

People Matters SurgeHR Conference is an exclusive platform to share ideas and find answers to your HR and talent-related questions through powerful keynotes, insightful panel discussions, engaging fireside chats, and hands-on workshops.

CHENNAI

INR 7999 + Taxes

For the Day long Pass

Who Should
Attend

TALENT MANAGERS
TALENT ACQUISITION LEADERS
L&D LEADERS
STARTUP HR LEADERS, FOUNDERS & CEOS
TOTAL REWARDS LEADERS
DEI ADVOCATES
TALENT ANALYTICS PROFESSIONALS
CHROS, CXOS, HR HEADS, REGIONAL HR HEADS & LEADS

Agenda

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Registration

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Opening Address

JERRY MOSES J

Senior Manager - Content & Research

10:10 AM - 10:30 AM
Welcome Address

Join us as we delve into 'Talent Beyond Boundaries,' uncovering how Tier 2 cities are reshaping India's workforce. SurgeHR Chennai is your gateway to understanding and navigating this exciting new talent frontier

Pushkar Bidwai

CEO - People Matters

10:30 AM - 10:50 AM
Expert Outlook

As companies drive the next wave of growth from emerging hubs, the role of HR has evolved from a support function to a strategic accelerator. This keynote will share insights from scaling people practices in technology-led, fast growing organisations and a practical playbook on how HR can align deeply with business strategy, embed digital thinking into talent and culture, to create scalable and future-ready organisations poised for hypergrowth.

Rashmi Ranjan Mohapatra,

CEO - Business Head - Parry Enterprises, Murugappa Group

10:50 AM - 11:10 AM
Spotlight Dialogue

In this exclusive Spotlight Dialogue, Balaji Ethirajan, a Global Chief Human Resources Officer, shares his firsthand insights into how HR is strategically empowering leading enterprises in complex global supply chains. Discover how HR leaders are fostering talent resilience, driving business growth, and navigating the intricate human challenges inherent in a dynamic global landscape.

BALAJI ETHIRAJAN

Global Chief Human Resources Officer TVS Supply Chain Solutions Limited India

11:10 AM - 11:30 AM
Tea Break

11:40 AM - 12:10 PM
Power Panel

With India's talent frontier expanding beyond traditional metros, leading digital and financial services companies are redefining their talent acquisition and retention playbooks. This session will uncover strategies for building employer brand, fostering employee experience, and securing critical skills in a fiercely competitive landscape across India's diverse and emerging talent hubs.

Rajesh Thirugnanamurthy

Country Head - Talent Management, Justdial

Partha Samai

Vice President & Head Human Resources, Jio

Bala Vummidi

Senior Vice President & Global Head HR, Gorilla Technology Group

12:10 PM - 12:50 PM
Power Panel

Explore how leading tech organizations are transforming their learning and development initiatives to keep pace with rapid technological advancements and global expansion. This session will delve into effective strategies for skilling, reskilling, and upskilling workforces across diverse geographies and business units.

Jagdish Sharma

CEO, Cedro Systems Pvt. Ltd.

George Koshi

Director - Learning and Development, Sify Technologies Limited.

Yahya Rasheed

Global Head of L&D, Freshers Ex, Talent Transformation & Head of GDC (Chennai, Madurai & Srilanka), HCLTech

12:50 PM - 2:00 PM
Lunch

2:20 PM - 2:50 PM
CHRO Perspective

This session will focus on the CHRO's unique role in proactively shaping the entire organizational structure and culture to be adaptable, innovative, and sustainable for the long term. It will allow you to speak about your strategic influence beyond just HR, touching upon organizational design, leadership alignment, and the tangible business outcomes of your people strategies.

Ganapathi Subramanian

CHRO, Sundaram Home Finance

Nageshwar P B

Group CHRO, Casagrand Builder

Jerry Moses J

Senior Manager - Content & Research, People Matters

2:50 PM - 3:30 PM
Spotlight Dialogue

India's Tier 2 cities are rapidly transforming into powerhouses of innovation and specialized talent. Join GCC Leaders in a candid fireside chat. They will share their organizations' strategic approaches to leveraging these emerging hubs, fostering cultures of excellence, and driving the next wave of global capability development from diverse sectors beyond traditional metropolitan centers.