What NTT DATA's New CEO Appointment Means for Data Centres

Few technology trends are driving infrastructure investment quite like AI.

The demand for computing power is reshaping priorities across the industry, placing data centres and digital infrastructure at the heart of corporate growth plans.

At NTT DATA, that next phase will be led by Kazuhiko Nakayama.

The company has appointed its former CFO as President and CEO, with a mandate to advance an AI-focused strategy that places infrastructure alongside innovation as a core growth driver.

The move comes as enterprises continue investing heavily in AI, cloud and digital infrastructure, increasing demand for the data centre capacity and technology services needed to support new workloads.

Kazuhiko succeeds Yutaka Sasaki, who will become Senior Executive Vice President of NTT, Inc. from 18 June.

The appointment follows a planned succession process and arrives at a pivotal moment for the business as it seeks to strengthen its position across AI and infrastructure markets.

NTT DATA positions itself as both an AI services provider and a digital infrastructure specialist, with capabilities spanning cloud, cybersecurity, applications and data centres.

Those areas are expected to play an important role in the company's future strategy as customers look for partners capable of supporting enterprise-scale AI deployments.

AI growth meets infrastructure demand

While leadership changes often focus on executive careers, the significance of this appointment lies in the strategic priorities attached to it.

NTT DATA says the new appointment will help accelerate a growth strategy centred on two major areas alongside its core operations: AI-empowered New Value & Productivity and Next-Generation Infrastructure.

Discussing his appointment, Kazuhiko Nakayama, President and CEO of NTT DATA Group, says: “Over the past three years I have had the honour of working closely with Mr Sasaki and the leadership team on a strategic course that has established NTT Data among the top five IT services businesses globally.

“That experience has reinforced my conviction in the strength of our offering, the quality of our people and the size of the opportunity ahead.

“As I take on the responsibilities of CEO and lead the growth of the NTT Data Group going forward, I feel a deep sense of dedication, possibility and excitement.”

A finance leader takes the helm

Kazuhiko brings more than three decades of experience within the wider NTT organisation.

Having joined NTT in 1989, he has held leadership positions across NTT Docomo, NTT East and NTT Communications before moving into senior finance roles.

In 2023 he became CFO of NTT DATA Group, having previously served as Senior Vice President and Head of Finance and Accounting at NTT.

His experience overseeing financial strategy arrives at a time when infrastructure investment bears particular significance across the technology sector.

Building AI-ready environments requires substantial capital commitments, particularly in areas such as data centres, cloud platforms and network infrastructure.

Yutaka Sasaki, former President and CEO of NTT DATA Group, believes the company is well positioned for its next phase under Nakayama's leadership.

“The appointment of Mr Nakayama as President and Chief Executive Officer follows a thoughtful and carefully planned succession process.

“Under the leadership of Mr Nakayama, NTT Data Group will embark on a new management structure. NTT Data Group stands at the very core of the NTT Group and serves as its growth engine.

“Under Mr Nakayama's renewed growth strategy, I look forward to seeing continued strength in performance and a commitment to achieving quality growth together as One NTT Data.”