Sapient to up India headcount by 20%

IT consulting firm Sapient is set to increase India headcount by 20% even as it resorted to layoffs early this year.

The hiring exercise is primarily to leverage its marketing and advertising services in the country, said a top company executive. Currently, the firm employs around 4,000 people in India.

“Demand for consulting services is witnessing an upswing,” said Sapient India MD Karandeep Singh. Of the proposed recruitment exercise, around 50% will be for Sapient’s Interactive division, he added.

The firm laid off around 300 employees across India in February in the backdrop of slowing demand for consulting services from various sectors. IT, real estate and financial services sectors were the worst affected in the global slowdown last year.

Sapient, on an average, hires 1,000-1,500 people in India every year. Besides IT, the company serves clients in sectors such as banking, hospitality, FMCG and telecom. Mr Singh said with revival in the economy, demand is likely to remain strong in the coming months. The firm would invest in people capabilities in India to be able to serve global markets.

Boston-based Sapient has two arms Sapient Interactive and Sapient Consulting. While Sapient Consulting provides business and IT strategy, process and systems design and various outsourcing services, Sapient Interactive provides brand and marketing strategy, creative work and web design services.