Meet the Team with Nikhil Polawar - Service Delivery Manager

In the latest edition of our Meet the Team series, we caught up with Nikhil Polawar, Service Delivery Manager at Xperate. Nikhil shares his career journey, what drew him to Xperate, and how his background in end-to-end application development shapes his approach to service delivery. He also talks about working closely with teams across the business to deliver the best outcomes for clients, the challenges that come with managing complex projects, his ambitions for Xperate over the next five years, and how he switches off outside of work.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your career background.

I was recently promoted to my current role as Service Delivery Manager, which is an achievement I’m extremely proud of. I’ve been working in IT for around eight years now, but my journey actually started slightly differently.

I originally studied electronics and telecommunications and graduated with an engineering degree. I began my career working in electronics and spent around two years in that space. During that time, I became increasingly interested in IT and software development. The problem-solving aspect of it really appealed to me, and I could see far more opportunities to keep learning and evolving.

That interest led me to formally retrain in IT, which I did over a six-month period. Not long after, I was speaking with Bharat Gidde, who is now Xperate’s CTO, and he mentioned there was a vacancy within his team. That conversation ended up being a turning point for me.

I joined Xperate as a Senior Developer and have grown with the business ever since. From there, I progressed to Lead Developer and now step into the role of Service Delivery Manager. Each step has given me new challenges and responsibilities, and I’ve learned something different at every stage. It’s been a rewarding journey, and one that’s been shaped by continuous learning, strong mentorship, and the opportunity to take on more ownership as the company has grown.

Why did you want to join Xperate, and what does your role involve day to day?

Before joining Xperate, I had already spent around four years working closely with Bharat and also knew Mark Garnish. I trusted their vision and could clearly see the journey they were building. I was confident they would make Xperate a success, and I wanted to be part of that growth.

What really attracted me wasn’t just the technology, but the nature of the work. Xperate is about overcoming real, everyday challenges for clients, rather than simply delivering products. I enjoy that no two days are the same, and I like working with different clients and teams, each with their own requirements and priorities.
Day to day, my role is very hands-on. I start by reviewing and prioritising emails, then move on to overseeing multiple projects. I assign work to the right people, support teams where needed, and step in to resolve any issues or conflicts that arise. I’m responsible for managing several client relationships and ensuring that projects are delivered successfully.

A key part of my role is making sure internal policies and processes are followed, while always keeping the outcome client-centric. Ultimately, the client needs to be happy, the relationship needs to progress, and the delivery needs to meet the high standards Xperate is known for. Whatever it takes internally, my focus is on ensuring successful delivery for our clients.

One of the things I value most about Xperate is the recognition and trust we’ve built. Our technical capability is respected, and it’s rare for companies to reach the level of skill and expertise that exists here. Being trusted by clients and seeing that recognition grow is something I really enjoy.

How do you work with different teams across Xperate to deliver the best outcomes for clients?

Collaboration is a huge part of my role. I work closely with consultants and teams across different regions, reaching out globally to understand client requirements and make sure everyone is aligned.

Building strong relationships with both clients and internal teams is essential. My role involves understanding what the client really needs and ensuring that the right people across Xperate are involved at the right time.

As Xperate continues to grow globally, my role will increasingly support communication and coordination across teams in different locations, which is something I find really exciting.

What challenges may you face in your role, and how could you overcome them?

Like any role, there are always challenges. Sometimes we encounter issues or scenarios we haven’t seen before, which require research, problem-solving, and a willingness to dig into the details.

One of the biggest strengths at Xperate is the team. Everyone is supportive, and reaching out to the right people usually helps get things resolved quickly. Communication is absolutely key, especially when managing complex projects across different teams and time zones.

Technology is constantly evolving, which means continuous learning is essential. Keeping up with changes in software and the rapid development of AI is an ongoing challenge, but also something I find interesting. On a more personal level, English is my third language, so clear communication is something I’ve worked hard on throughout my career.

Where would you like to see Xperate in 5 years?

In just over four years, Xperate has grown to around 150 people, which is an incredible achievement. Looking ahead five years, I’d love to see the business grow to around 1,000 employees while continuing to deliver the same high-quality work and client-focused approach that defines us today.

How do you unwind outside of work?

Outside of work, most of my time is spent with my family. On weekends, I enjoy being with my wife and our two-year-old daughter. Life is busy, and being a dad definitely comes with its share of sleepless nights, but it’s something I really enjoy and wouldn’t change.

When I get the chance to travel back to my hometown, which is around 400 kilometres from Pune, I love horse riding. It’s something I enjoy the most and one of the few activities that allows me to completely switch off from work.

Because family life keeps me so busy, I tend to do most of my work from the office rather than at home. That structure works well for me and helps me balance my responsibilities while still making time for the people who matter most.

Connect with Nikhil on LinkedIn here.

nikhil.polawar@xperate.com