Nikhil Ravishankar is a prominent figure in the technology and telecommunications sector, currently serving as the Chief Digital Officer (CDO) at Auckland-based Spark New Zealand, the country’s largest telecommunications and digital services provider. Known for spearheading major digital transformation projects across the Asia-Pacific, Nikhil brings over two decades of experience driving innovation, operational excellence, and customer-centric technology strategy in both private and public sectors.

Early Life and Education

Nikhil’s educational foundation is rooted in engineering and management. He holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) from Auckland University of Technology (AUT) and later pursued his MBA from the prestigious INSEAD Business School, specializing in strategy and innovation.

His multicultural upbringing and global academic exposure shaped his ability to think beyond borders—a critical skill in navigating the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Career Journey

Beginnings in Consulting and Strategy

Nikhil began his career at Accenture, one of the world’s top consulting firms, where he led strategic technology programs for multinational clients. His early years focused on IT advisory, process reengineering, and enterprise-level transformation projects, particularly in the public sector and telecommunications verticals.

Rise at Spark New Zealand

In 2015, Nikhil joined Spark Digital as a leader of the Enterprise and Government business unit. With a sharp understanding of digital ecosystems, he quickly rose through the ranks to become Chief Digital Officer at Spark New Zealand.

At Spark, he played a pivotal role in:

• Implementing agile-at-scale models
• Enhancing customer experience through AI, cloud, and 5G innovations
• Overseeing platform modernisation and automation
• Supporting New Zealand’s national digital inclusion goals

Under his guidance, Spark significantly improved its digital delivery capability and became a benchmark for telcos in the region embracing cloud-native and API-driven architectures.

Leadership Beyond Spark

Nikhil also contributes to public-sector digital initiatives and has been involved in several cross-sector alliances aimed at boosting digital skills, cybersecurity awareness, and digital equity. He is recognized as a thought leader in digital transformation, often speaking at regional forums and leadership summits.

Leadership Style and Philosophy

Ravishankar’s leadership style is often described as strategic, inclusive, and impact-driven. He believes in blending commercial acumen with human-centered design and is known for building high-performance teams that thrive in ambiguity and change.

His strategic vision has helped Spark pivot toward becoming a digital services company rather than just a traditional telecom.

Recognition and Impact

Nikhil has been featured in several leadership indexes and digital executive spotlights, both in New Zealand and abroad. His work has contributed to Spark being viewed as one of the most digitally mature telcos in the Southern Hemisphere.

Key highlights include:

• Spearheading Spark’s enterprise-wide cloud adoption
• Partnering with leading SaaS providers and tech startups
• Championing digital upskilling within the organization

Personal Life and Interests

Outside the boardroom, Nikhil is passionate about sustainable technology, education equity, and youth mentorship. He supports initiatives focused on closing the digital divide in underserved communities across New Zealand.

He’s also an advocate of mental health awareness in tech environments, often encouraging open dialogue and resilience-building among his teams.

Conclusion

Nikhil Ravishankar exemplifies the modern CDO—deeply technical, strategically grounded, and socially conscious. His journey from consulting to transforming Spark into a digital-first enterprise offers valuable lessons for businesses looking to thrive in a cloud-powered, customer-driven future.

As digital acceleration continues globally, Ravishankar remains one of the most influential voices shaping the future of tech leadership in the Asia-Pacific region.