Meet Nikos, the Head of IT, India

As we celebrate one year of Kindred Group plc , India, we had the opportunity to sit down with Nikolaos Christodoulou , a pivotal figure in the company’s technological advancements and strategic growth. With almost a decade of experience at Kindred, Nikos has been instrumental in driving innovation and efficiency within the organization. In this interview, we explore his experiences, challenges, and the remarkable journey of setting up Kindred’s office in India.

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Q: When did you join Kindred?

A: I joined Kindred almost a decade ago, back in 2015 when Kindred acquired Stanjames and since then it has been a remarkable journey filled with innovation, growth, and countless opportunities to make a real impact.

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Q: How has your journey been so far?

A: My journey has been nothing short of exhilarating. I’ve had the privilege to work on groundbreaking products, collaborate with diverse teams across the globe, and dive into a wide range of cutting-edge technologies. Being part of projects from the ground up and watching them evolve has been incredibly fulfilling. I have had the opportunity to build bespoke Racing and Sportsbook platforms, to drive organizational efficiency and enhance overall productivity.

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Q: What has been the best part of working at Kindred?

A: The best part has undoubtedly been the people and the challenges we’ve tackled together. I’ve worked with brilliant minds from all over, including some exceptionally talented colleagues from India. Together, we’ve built a strong foundation in management and created an environment that nurtures innovation and growth.

Undoubtedly in Kindred I have also had the privilege working with cutting edge technologies whether that was in Engineering, Infrastructure or even Quant.

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Q: Can you tell us about your experience in setting up the office in India?

A: Setting up the office in India was both an ambitious challenge and a rewarding adventure. It was an uncharted journey for Kindred, especially since our industry was relatively unknown here. Convincing top talent to join us required a compelling vision and a strong belief in what Kindred stands for. We built this Tech hub from scratch, focusing on creating a vibrant culture of innovation and inclusivity. This journey of building something monumental in a new market has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my career.

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Q: Can you name a few colleagues who have supported you in this endeavour? Who are some people who helped you in this office?

A: I’ve worked with amazing people like Erik Nilsson , our Director of Engineering, and the Head of Engineering team who set the vision and ensured I get the necessary support towards success. Suneet Kapoor and the other Engineering Managers brought dedication and valuable insights, creating a supportive and motivating environment. Colleagues from HR and TA like Anjali Tomar , Sukruthi N Kumar , and Maxim Martea have also been instrumental in bring talent in, onboarding and ensuring their journey is smooth and productive.

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Q: What differences did you notice while setting up the office here?

A: Setting up the office in India presented unique challenges which, although had been known and expected to a point, I experienced them first hand after relocating to Bangalore. Navigating a new market required us to approach things strategically and iteratively. It was an endeavor marked by both trial and error, and eventual success. We have all learned a lot while building this hub. The culture is different, the competition is fierce, the brand is unknown here and trust had to be built from ground up both ways. Thankfully I can say that we have now established good teams delivering value to our business.