Venky Rao is IBM's Global Client Partner for National Grid, one of the largest investor-owned utilities in the US and UK. He leads IBM's account strategy across National Grid's US and UK operations, working directly with the utility's C-suite on grid modernization, AI adoption, and digital transformation.

He holds the titles of Vice President, Senior Partner, and Distinguished Engineer at IBM. Before his current role, he led IBM Consulting's Strategy and Transformation practice for Energy and Utilities across the Americas. His work spans grid intelligence, energy management systems, and the operational demands of critical infrastructure.

He studied computer science and statistics, holds an MBA from INSEAD, and is a dual-qualified accountant in India and the US. He is based in the Boston area.