Raised in Bangalore – the heart of India’s tech community and a city synonymous with both cricketing heritage and digital innovation – Shyam’s journey from aspiring engineer in his home city to manager at Netcompany, in London, is inseparable from his lifelong love of cricket and the philosophy of his sporting hero, Rahul Dravid.
Sport as a blueprint for leadership
»Cricket has always been more than just a sport for me,« says Shyam Prasad.
»It’s a source of relaxation, inspiration and connection. From an entertainment perspective, I love the blend of strategy, patience and teamwork that cricket brings. Every match is a story of discipline, resilience and decision-making.«
Cricket, says Shyam, is a bridge – connecting people across cultures and ages, and forging the same kind of camaraderie that underpins high-performing tech teams. His perspective on team leadership owes much to his hero, Rahul Dravid, the legendary player known as »The Wall” for his consistency and selfless play.
»I’ve always admired Rahul Dravid, not just as a cricketer but as a role model for character,« says the off-spin bowler. »Dravid embodies calm under pressure, humble consistency, and professionalism. He’s not flamboyant but incredibly reliable – a true team player who always gets the job done.«
That focus on the long game – on steady, reliable performance and enabling others to shine – has shaped Shyam’s approach to delivery management at Netcompany.
»My role is really about enabling the team to perform, helping everyone feel supported so we can achieve our objectives together. It’s never about one person. It’s about how we help the team.«
When technology is in the blood
Growing up in one of India’s leading tech hubs by a family immersed in IT, Shyam’s choice of career was almost inevitable. »Growing up in Bangalore, you’re surrounded by technical people, so my inclination was always towards engineering,« he says. After earning his degree in telecommunications engineering and spending time as a Java developer in India, he moved to the UK to pursue an MBA at the University of Sheffield.
»My progression from developer to business analyst in London, and eventually to my role at Netcompany, has always been about adding value wherever possible,« Shyam explains.
Since joining Netcompany, Shyam has managed teams who’ve delivered programmes across the energy, utilities and the public sectors. He’s coordinated the building of digital services in the defence sector, managed the development of mobile apps, and overseen projects that’ve helped modernise digital infrastructure in the energy industry. He credits his success in part to recognising the importance of aligning business needs with technical outcomes – a lesson honed through years of stakeholder management and cross-functional teamwork.
Responsible digitalisation
For Shyam, the principles he values in sport – fairness, discipline and collective good – translate directly into how he sees technology’s role in society. Digitalisation isn’t just about modern systems. It’s about improving people’s lives.
»Responsible digitalisation is very important. It’s about being transparent and making sure the right people have access to the right data, while respecting user privacy at all times,« he says. To him, that reflects Netcompany’s purpose: delivering solutions that genuinely benefit citizens while safeguarding trust.
It’s a philosophy rooted in consistency and service. Values that shape not only how he sees digital responsibility, but how he shows up for his team.
»We deliver outcomes that improve society. That's what drives me every day.«
A quiet, consistent approach
In the London office, Shyam is known for his calm and unflappable presence and his quiet but caring approach to team management. »It’s about showing up every day and doing my best for the team – focusing on steady, consistent progress rather than short-term wins,« he says.
Reflecting on his journey, Shyam once again draws parallels from the world of sport: »Every project is a team game. My job is to help the team win.«
