CEO Insights India

Thought leaders in the finance sector play a pivotal role, offering insights and expertise that are highly sought after by industry peers and aspiring professionals. Their visionary perspectives and deep understanding of market trends and strategies not only drive innovation but also inspire the next generation of financial leaders. Henceforth, in a dynamic sector, thought leaders such as Himanshu Khandelwal act as guiding lights of wisdom, steering the industry toward advancement, adaptability, and influential decision-making.

Himanshu Khandelwal, the esteemed CEO of Asas Capital, emerges as a visionary leader in the finance and investment landscape. With a rich background in finance, Himanshu has propelled Asas Capital to remarkable heights, steering the company with a blend of innovation, strategic foresight, and a deep-rooted commitment to excellence.

Below is an excerpt of Himanshu Khandelwal’s exclusive interaction with CEO Insights.

What are your educational qualifications and experiences that have shaped your professional journey thus far?

First and foremost, I firmly believe Attitude is even more important than Education. The right education will make you income, but the right attitude makes you prosper.

I was lucky to have identified my calling at an early age. From age 15, I was sure that I wanted to be an investor in the stock markets. Since then, I have just followed my passion.

My real education began at 18 when I joined my father’s business in Jaipur. He has been a serial entrepreneur who sparked my interest in business early on teaching me the value of honesty and commitment. I gained hands-on experience in manufacturing, finance, and stock markets. To deepen my financial knowledge, I pursued an MBA from IBS

Hyderabad also became a CFA charter holder.

My professional journey started at Bank of Baroda's International Corporate Banking Division, focusing on credit derivatives and corporate bonds. Later, I thrived as a banking sector research analyst at CNBC before becoming a portfolio manager at Kotak Securities. For the last 15 years, I have led a team at Asas Capital, identi-fying investment opportunities across asset classes.

How did transitioning from the Indian finance sector to a role in the UAE impact your investment style/customer engagement?

Transitioning from the Indian finance sector to Dubai transformed my investment and portfolio management approach. It broadened my focus from local to global, highlighting the importance of considering global risks and cross-asset correlations. Using the dollar as a reference currency matured my investment mindset. Moreover, managing a family office allowed me to invest across various asset classes, from public markets to VCs and Real Estate.

In the Gulf, investors are diverse in cultures, risk appetites, and return expectations. Indian investors often seek higher returns through riskier products, while Arab investors prefer income-generating assets with lower risk. At Asas Capital, we have dedicated teams for different asset classes and clients.

Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow as a leader?

I believe the real power of a leader is the ability to empower.

My leadership approach is participative, valuing each team member's aspirations. I foster a culture of ownership through autonomy and incentives, prioritizing goal oriented results over micro management. Emphasizing reputation over profits, I lead by example with a strong work ethic. My journey from employee to Partner and CEO aims to inspire my team to dream big and strive for excellence, creating a culture of growth and achievement.

What future plans do you envision for yourself and your company as you move forward?

My company is at an inflection point, poised to grow from one regulated asset management company to four within a year. After our success in the UAE, we're expanding internationally to Saudi Arabia and India. We have clear internal goals and actionable plans, with a broader vision of becoming one of the most respected companies in the region.

We are known for our differentiation, consistently thinking outside the box to offer unique opportunities to our clients. In 2016, we pioneered a religious hospitality fund for Makkah, a first of its kind. In 2017, we brought pre-IPO opportunities to companies like Airbnb, Palantir, and SPACEX. We now seed one private equity deal annually with our capital and support scaling up. In 2023, we launched a luxurious workspace solutions business targeting a cash yield of over 25 percent for our investors. This year, we entered the fund management business in India under the brand 'Boring AMC,' focusing on launching deep, research based funds.

I believe our business will transform in the next decade. To future-proof it, I'm founding a fintech platform called 'XALT' to democratize access to alternative invest-ments.

You seem to be on a growth path. Are you chasing a particular target?

For me, the journey is more important than the outcome. I am a firm believer in partner-ships hence all my businesses are with friends who are more capable than me.

If your partner is a friend first, then the journey becomes beautiful, be it life or business. To answer your question, as long as I am creating value for my partners and my investors, I am content.

What advice would you offer to aspiring professionals and entrepreneurs?

I do feel I have not achieved anything to give advice. But I would humbly state to aspiring professionals: Follow your passion with grit and perseverance, and success will follow you.

Himanshu Khandelwal, CEO, Asas Capital

Himanshu Khandelwal is the CEO of Asas Capital, a visionary leader known for his strategic acumen in finance. With unmatched expertise, he is reshaping industry norms and empowering investors. His forward-thinking approach and commitment to excel-lence drive growth and innovation in the financial sector.