Veteran finance leader succeeds Barry Curtin, who retires after 16 years of service
NTT DATA has announced the appointment of Jafar Kuruniyan as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for its Middle East and Africa (MEA) operations. Kuruniyan steps into the role following the retirement of Barry Curtin, who served the NTT Group for 16 years, including 12 years as CFO for the MEA region.
Kuruniyan, a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and MBA graduate from Mahatma Gandhi University, has been with NTT DATA since 2009. Over the years, he has held several key finance roles, most recently serving as Vice President of Finance for the Middle East. His deep institutional knowledge, strategic acumen, and proven leadership make him a natural successor to Curtin.
“Jafar brings a rare blend of strategic insight and operational excellence to the CFO role,” said Alan Turnley-Jones, CEO of NTT DATA MEA. “His appointment reflects our confidence in his ability to build on Barry’s legacy and continue strengthening our financial governance and regional growth.”
“Jafar brings a rare blend of strategic insight and operational excellence to the CFO role.”
— Alan Turnley-Jones, CEO, NTT DATA MEA
Curtin’s tenure has been marked by significant contributions to NTT DATA’s financial strategy and organizational resilience. He served on numerous boards as executive director, chairman, and non-executive director, and played a pivotal role in the Employee Empowerment Trust. His leadership helped shape a robust finance function and ensured strong succession planning.
“Barry’s contribution to our organisation has been truly exceptional,” Turnley-Jones added. “His unwavering commitment and financial acumen have been instrumental in our success.”
Curtin will remain with the company during a transitional period to ensure a smooth handover. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “It has been an incredible privilege to be part of NTT DATA’s journey. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and look forward to seeing the company continue to thrive.”
Kuruniyan will be based in Dubai and joins the diverse MEA Executive Leadership Team headquartered in Johannesburg. His appointment marks a new chapter in NTT DATA’s commitment to financial excellence and regional leadership.
