Previous Occupation: IT Consultant, Covansys (CSC) in the U.S.
Present Occupation: Proprietor, Savvy Investments
Sector: Finance (Equity Investment/ Trading)
Work Experience: 9 yrs in Finance and 6 yrs in IT
Interests – Professional/Personal: Equity Markets

Can you tell us a little about your family background/ history?
I am married to Janki and we have one son Yash, who is seven years old. We live in Mumbai with my parents. I was born and bought up in Mumbai.

Briefly describe your personal and professional achievements (including recent awards/ special projects).
I started my own firm and have been involved in Equity Markets full-time for the last nine years, since I graduated from ISB. I have a total client strength of 800+ on the broking business. I have been developing my equity portfolio advisory business for the past two years and am currently focused on this.

Tell us about your profile pre-ISB, and recap your professional life after ISB, including your career progression.
Pre-ISB, I was working in the U.S. as an IT consultant, but my true passion was in the stock market, so I came to ISB to make a career switch. Post-ISB, I did some consulting for Edelweiss in their equity research team. Within six months, I ventured out on my own. I have enjoyed every single moment since I started up in the equity markets professionally. I have a small team working on the broking side. I am currently in the process of getting SEBI registration as an Investment Advisor and developing my portfolio advisory business.

Describe your fondest memory of ISB.
Making life-time friends; learning from some of the best professors and peers; participating in various club activities, particularly the finance club and the social impact club; and listening to some prominent industry speakers.

In your personal life, how have you changed post-ISB? Do you see yourself doing something differently because you went to ISB? What has left a lasting impression?
ISB has broadened my perspective to a great extent. It gave me the confidence to start on my own at a very early stage in my financial career.

How do you think ISB has contributed to your career growth?
It was only after ISB that I made the big move to follow my passion on a professional basis.

If you have to sum up ISB in one word:
Best-in-Class.

What was the main highlight of your programme at the ISB?
The school’s outstanding infrastructure and world-class faculty.

Word of advice for the current class?
Follow your passion and everything else will fall into place.

What was your favourite course/ class at ISB and why?
I graduated with only one major – Finance. I enjoyed most of my finance courses.

Was there anyone during your time at ISB who acted as a mentor for you? Tell us a little about this relationship and why it was valuable.
Unfortunately, I really missed having a mentor while making my career shift and during my progression into the finance field.

What are the areas in which you can contribute to ISB?
I took part in interview sessions in earlier years. Presently, I am a mentor to three students of the current batch. I would love to contribute by spreading my equity market knowledge to current and future students.  

What do you enjoy most about your current career position?
It helps me constantly learn about new industries and businesses. 

What is the next new thing in the industry or vertical you are working in? Any trends that you can see?
I am involved in spreading equity culture in India! It’s unfortunate that with such a good tax structure for long-term equity investing, we are so thoroughly underinvested in equities. I hope with better regulations and financial literacy, we will help create a more vibrant equity market in the country. I see tremendous growth opportunities in this field going forward.

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