'Don't get distracted by what you can't control'

Bob Moritz, Global Chairman of PwC, talks about dealing with the tough times, ESG and the role of India in the new world order

- Krishna Gopalan

He has seen the India growth story from close quarters. Bob Moritz, who has been visiting the country for more than three decades, remains upbeat about what lies ahead for the country. The 59-year-old Global Chairman of PwC, who joined the professional services network in 1985, likes what is being done on digitisation in India and believes that the country’s talent pool is impressive. That said, the current global uncertainty means a new role for the country in the world order. The PwC veteran says that India has to make a mark for itself in this new global framework. In a freewheeling chat with Business Today’s Krishna Gopalan, Moritz outlines his views on inflation, disruption, China, ESG and, of course, India. Edited excerpts:

Q: You have seen many a phase in your long career. From a global point of view, what is remarkably unique about the period that we are in today?

A: I would say the biggest moment that we have is the existence of two phenomena. One, the C-suites of governments and corporates are facing an enormity of challenges to deal with. All this is coming with tremendous speed and impact. The question is, are we going to make the right decisions, be agile and move in the right direction, or will we miss the opportunity?

On the other side, you see the world going through some seismic shifts with the demographics changing dramatically both in terms of size and the rise of those in the lower class and middle class. You see a polarisation of the world as the haves and the havenots, from a political and economic perspective. You see the implications of technology and climate, plus a combination of this changing the labour force.