Google Cloud names Ruma Balasubramanian to lead SEA ops

Google Cloud has appointed Ruma Balasubramanian as managing director for Southeast Asia to drive its go-to-market strategy, key customer and partner relationships, and operational execution. Working with a team across Google, she will also be focused on helping accelerate customers’ ability to digitally transform through data-powered innovation with Google Cloud Platform and Google Workspace. Balasubramanian takes over from Tim Synan, who has transitioned to another role as part of Google Cloud’s global strategic initiatives team based in Milan, Italy.

She joins Google Cloud from Cisco Systems, where she led numerous transformation initiatives. According to the press statement, she also drove sales outcomes for strategic customers and partners in the banking, manufacturing, retail, higher education, and healthcare sectors across Asia Pacific. Prior to Cisco, Balasubramanian was VP and GM of Hewlett Packard’s Enterprise Services division in Asia Pacific.

Among the list of brands that Google Cloud works with include Bank BRI, Gojek, NTUC FairPrice, REA Group, Reliance Health Services, and Tokopedia, among others. Earlier this month, GovTech selected Google Cloud as one of the cloud service providers to work with government agencies in SIngapore. Meanwhile, it also launched its Google Cloud Platform in Jakarta in June, marking its ninth cloud region in Asia Pacific.

Balasubramanian said Google Cloud Platform, Google Workspace, and industry-based AI and machine learning solutions are critical enablers for economic recovery and growth in Southeast Asia.

"As enterprises of all sizes look to digitise, modernise, and innovate, I am thrilled to embark on this journey with Google Cloud to accelerate cloud adoption for our customers," she said.

Meanwhile, Rick Harshman, managing director of Google Cloud in Asia Pacific, said Balasubramanian joins the team at an exciting time as its business continues to grow from strength to strength in one of the most dynamic regions for technology adoption. "We look forward to Balasubramanian building on this strong foundation," he added.

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