LinkedIn, the Microsoft-owned professional networking platform, has appointed Kumaresh Pattabiraman as its new Country Manager and Product Head in India. This strategic move highlights LinkedIn’s focus on enhancing its presence in one of its key markets.

India, which has over 135 million LinkedIn members, is the platform’s second-largest and fastest-growing market. Pattabiraman steps into this role at a time when India is emerging as a leader in AI talent, ranking among the top five countries for rapid AI skill growth and having the highest global penetration of AI skills. LinkedIn users in India are engaging with AI capabilities at three times the global average, positioning the nation at the forefront of future work trends.

In his new position, Pattabiraman will focus on leveraging LinkedIn’s transformation from a job search site to a vibrant global network dedicated to professional growth, learning, and knowledge sharing. He highlighted the exceptional drive and potential of Indian professionals, particularly in research and development.

"Starting my career as an engineer in Bengaluru and having built teams at LinkedIn and Microsoft in India, I’ve seen firsthand the remarkable energy and ambition of Indian talent, especially in R&D", Pattabiraman remarked.

With over 15 years in product and engineering leadership roles, Pattabiraman has significantly contributed to both LinkedIn and Microsoft. His efforts at LinkedIn include enhancements to key features such as Search and Feed, and the introduction of innovative tools like Profile Video and Career Breaks.

LinkedIn also recently unveiled a new video feature in India, responding to the country’s surge in video content consumption. This new, interactive video experience is designed to offer a wide range of knowledge content, catering to the 60 percent of India’s internet users more than 350 million people who actively consume video content.