Thermo Fisher Scientific has appointed Somya Sugandha as vice president – human resources for the APMEA region, entrusting her with aligning people strategy to the company’s broader mission of impacting lives through science and innovation.
Sugandha announced the move on LinkedIn, describing the transition as “both personal and intentional,” as she steps into a new chapter after spending nearly 14 years across organisations including Alstom, General Electric, and GE Vernova. Reflecting on her tenure, she noted that GE Vernova had been “more than a workplace,” marking a significant phase where she contributed to cultural transformation and people-centric initiatives.
In her new role at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Sugandha will lead HR for the APMEA region, working closely with business leaders to drive talent strategy, organisational effectiveness, and leadership capability. Her mandate is expected to focus on enabling growth in a region that is both diverse and strategically important for the company’s global operations.
“This step is an evolution of a similar purpose where we impact lives of people,” she noted, adding that she looks ahead with “curiosity and a strong sense of possibility.”
During her time at GE Vernova, where she most recently served as VP, HR head for GE Gas Power – Asia Pacific, Sugandha played a central role in shaping organisational culture across a highly complex and geographically-diverse business. She worked closely with leadership teams across regions spanning Asia Pacific markets, overseeing HR strategy for a workforce of thousands across engineering centres, manufacturing sites, and joint ventures.
Her work focused on embedding values-led leadership, strengthening employee experience, and driving a growth mindset across teams. She was also actively involved in advancing employee resource groups (ERGs), pushing for a shift from intent to action in areas such as inclusion, fairness, and everyday workplace behaviour. “It has been an honour to be part of the team that drives that culture, mindset and behaviour,” she shared.
Sugandha’s career reflects deep experience across global and regional HR leadership roles. At General Electric, she held multiple leadership positions, including regional HR head for APAC and global HR head for key business units, managing large, matrixed organisations across multiple geographies. Prior to that, at Alstom, she led global talent acquisition and talent management initiatives, including integration efforts during major organisational transitions.
Her early career included roles at Ernst & Young, Genpact, and Bharti Airtel, where she built foundational expertise in HR advisory, employee relations, leadership development, and organisational design.
With over 25 years of experience across manufacturing, telecommunications, IT, and consulting, Sugandha brings a strong track record in leading transformation within complex, multicultural environments. Known for her ability to build high-performing teams and drive large-scale change initiatives, she has consistently positioned HR as a strategic enabler of business growth.
She holds a master’s degree in Human Resources from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management and a bachelor’s degree in History from Jesus and Mary College, and is also a certified trainer and leadership coach.
