About kotak private

Oisharya Das

Oisharya Das heads the Private Banking business at Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. and has been an integral part since its inception. She has played an important role in the growth of the business, both in India and overseas. She is part of the Bank’s Group Management Council that drives and oversees Kotak Mahindra Group’s growth charter.

Prior to taking over as CEO, Oisharya was the National Director where she spearheaded client relations at a national level and established the non-resident business as well. She started her career with the Kotak Mahindra Group in 1994. From 1999 to 2004, she led the private client services business for the eastern region at Kotak Securities. Thereafter, she was responsible for the North, East and the West Regions of the Private Banking business.

Oisharya is a graduate in Political Science, and has done her Masters in International Relations. She has completed her MBA from IIM Calcutta.

Lakshmi Iyer

Lakshmi Iyer is the CEO - Investment & Strategy at Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Limited (Formerly known as Kotak Investment Advisors Limited). She has been with the Kotak Group for over 22 years.

As part of KAAML, she is responsible for investment advisory, product solutions spanning across fixed income, equities, real estate and alternates

In KMAMC she was CIO Fixed Income & Head – Products. In this role she was responsible for credit research, deal execution, managing fund performance across all debt funds and assisting sales in client interaction. In addition to that, she has been a portfolio specialist, and managed product related initiatives such as product pricing and coordination with the funds management and sales team in that role

Prior to joining Kotak, Lakshmi worked with Credence Analytics Pvt Ltd, as a research analyst where she was tracking corporate bond markets in India and generating research reports. She was also instrumental in conceiving various financial software tools in collaboration with software and technical teams.

Lakshmi holds an MBA degree in finance from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies.
She has been recognised as one of the Top 25 most influential women in asset management in Asia by Asian Investor. She also features in the Forbes W-Power list 2022 and Forbes India self-made W-Power in 2024. She has been awarded India’s Impactful CEOs 2023 by Times Now. She has been recognized as one of the ‘Most Promising Business Leaders of Asia’ 2024 by ET Edge

She loves exploring new places for travelling, is a big food lover, and is an ardent movie buff.

Gautami Gavankar

Gautami Gavankar is Head for NR Private Banking practice, at Kotak Private. Prior to taking over as Business head of the NR vertical in 2024, she was the CEO of Estate Planning and Trusteeship Services, at Kotak Mahindra Trusteeship Services Limited (KMTSL) and currently serves as a Non – Executive Director on KMTSL’s board. She has also been responsible for launching the Family Office practice at Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Limited.

Over the years, she has played an important role in the business growth in India and overseas. In her current role, Gautami is in charge of increasing the global footprint of the private banking business by growing the product & portfolio suite for the Global Indian and ensuring best in class service.

Gautami joined the Kotak Mahindra Group in 2005 to set up the Estate Planning business at Kotak. She has worked with families to help them plan their estate in an efficient manner, tailored to meet each client's specific and unique needs. This includes assisting them with setting up onshore and offshore wills and trusts. She has assisted many families with multi-jurisdictional presence in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom etc. and has vast experience in dealing with succession issues unique to such families.

Through Kotak's Multi Family Office proposition, Gautami engaged in setting up Family Offices and other structures for various UHNI families, which include providing assistance with services such as offshore structuring, consolidation of assets and holding structures, immigration planning, philanthropic giving and concierge services.

Gautami brings more than 26 years of experience in the fields of Estate Planning and Family Offices.
Prior to joining Kotak, Gautami worked with Kanga & Company, one of the leading and oldest law firms in India. Gautami has been at the forefront of the Estate Planning and Family Office landscape in India, advising some of India's most respected families. She is also a frequent speaker at domestic and international forums on these subjects.

Gautami is a qualified Solicitor, a member of Bombay Incorporated Law Society and a Law Graduate from Mumbai University. When she is not advising clients, she is interested in trekking, reading and photography.

Abhishek Bhalotia

Abhishek Bhalotia has been an integral part of the group since 1995 and currently serves as a Business Head for Kotak Private. He began his journey with Kotak Securities, where he played a pivotal role in various functions, including sales, equity sales, and the establishment of the Private Client distribution business, as well as the development of tier 2 markets. His expertise and leadership led him to head the region for the PCG division, which later merged with the bank.

From 2004 to 2010, Abhishek served as the Head of Middle East for the international business in Dubai. In 2010, he transitioned to the UK, taking on the role of Director and CEO of KMUK. During his tenure, he was instrumental in shaping strategy and business development for the international business across asset management, India access, bond trading, and proprietary investments.

In mid-2017, Abhishek returned to India to lead the private wealth division for the North. By 2020, he was appointed as the National Business Head for the HNI business. As a member of the Leadership team, he continues to contribute significantly to the strategy and business development of the private banking sector.

Samira Bhargava

Samira, as Head - Customer Experience and Digital, manages the critical role of ensuring the best experience for clients at Kotak Private, in addition to managing digital initiatives for clients as well as internal customers. An industry veteran with over twenty-five years of experience, she is a key member of Kotak’s leadership team and serves on the Management Committee of the Kotak Private Banking business. Samira began her career at HSBC in 1996 and joined Kotak Private in 2003. At Kotak, she has been engaged in business development all through, leading teams of professionals who provide a wide array of financial solutions to private clients. Her last assignment prior to taking over the present role was of heading the Private Banking business for South India. In addition to spearheading Customer Experience and Digital desk, Samira is also responsible for overseeing the Marketing team for Kotak Private. She graduated with honours in Economics from Delhi's Lady Shriram College, and holds a Master’s Degree in Management from IMI.

Sanjay Bhuwania

An All India Rank holder Chartered Accountant by qualification, Sanjay has an extensive background in the financial sector, having previously worked at DSP Financial Services. He joined Kotak Mahindra Bank as the Regional Head for the East in its Wealth Management Practice and now spearheads the NDPMS strategy for Kotak Mahindra AMC. Additionally, he is a key member of the management committee at Kotak Wealth.

With over 35 years of experience in Portfolio Management, Financial Planning, and Wealth Management, Sanjay brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role. He is deeply passionate about finance, business, and investment literature, and firmly believes that disciplined and well-researched equity investments can yield superior compounded returns, outpacing inflation without risking capital loss.

Sanjay is also the Co-Founder of “Millennium Mams,” a not-for-profit organization dedicated to imparting financial literacy to women, empowering them to achieve financial independence.

Saurabh Goswami

With over two decades of experience at Kotak Private Banking, Saurabh Goswami leads the Ultra High Networth (UHNI) segment, where he has been a cornerstone of the wealth management division since its inception. A seasoned professional with deep understanding of the financial landscape, Saurabh brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles at industry giants like HSBC and Citibank. Known for his strategic vision and client-centric approach, Saurabh stays at the forefront of the latest industry developments, ensuring that the clients receive cutting-edge wealth management solutions. His expertise in portfolio diversification and bespoke financial strategies makes him a trusted advisor to some of the most prominent families and individuals in the region. By qualification, Saurabh has received his B.com honors from Punjab University and has completed a leadership programme from Wharton Business School. As an integral member of Kotak Private’s leadership team, he drives strategic initiatives and shapes the firm's growth trajectory ensuring Kotak continues to excel in the competitive landscape of wealth management

Tejal Shah

Tejal Shah holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Duke University, USA, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. With over 23 years of extensive experience in asset management and wealth management, Tejal has held several key positions throughout his career. He served as the Regional Head (Gujarat) at Zurich Mutual Fund from 2001 to 2003, and then as the Investment Counselor at Citibank NA for Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. In 2007, Tejal joined Kotak Private Banking as the Head of Client Relations for Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Over his 17-year tenure at Kotak Private, he has successfully managed client relations teams across various Tier II markets and Bengaluru, and was a senior member of the investment advisory practice during 2021-22. Currently, he is the Executive Director and Business Head for Gujarat, Rest of Maharashtra, and Goa.

Beyond his professional achievements, Tejal is an avid sports enthusiast who plays badminton daily and passionately follows tennis and basketball. He maintains a strong focus on health and longevity, and his love for reading spans books, periodicals, and publications on diverse topics, including economics, finance, and history. Tejal also enjoys listening to both classical and rock music, adding a rich cultural dimension to his dynamic personality.

Nipa Ashar

Nipa has over 20 years of rich experience in the financial industry, with a keen expertise in portfolio advisory. As a driving force in the wealth management sector, she has been pivotal in propelling growth across Western India. Since joining Kotak in 2006, Nipa has played a transformative role in building and expanding its wealth division.

Before joining Kotak, Nipa honed her skills at Citibank, where she adeptly managed and advised clients on their portfolios. Her deep industry knowledge and strategic insights have earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor in the financial community.

Nipa’s passions extend beyond the boardroom. She is an avid marathon runner, a dedicated yoga enthusiast, and an adventurous trekker. Her love for reading non-fiction adds another layer to her multifaceted personality, providing her with a well-rounded perspective on life and business.

Academically, Nipa is a commerce graduate, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and an alumna of the Portfolio and Investment Management program at IIM Bangalore. Her educational background and professional certifications highlight her unwavering commitment to excellence in wealth management.

Mukund Raichur

Mr. Mukund Raichur leads the Investment Advisory practice at Kotak Investment Advisors Limited. He has been a dedicated member of the Kotak group since 1999. Prior to his current role, Mukund served as the Executive Director in the wealth management team at Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited, where he and his team managed key client relationships in the Western region.

Before relocating to Mumbai, Mukund was part of the Delhi team at Kotak Wealth Management, where he led a team of accomplished private bankers. During his tenure in Delhi, he successfully established the wealth management business for Kotak in Kanpur.

Mukund began his journey with Kotak in the Private Client Group of Kotak Securities in June 1999. He initially set up the private client business in Baroda and later moved to Ahmedabad, where he significantly expanded the business, making Kotak Securities the market leader in Gujarat. In 2003, following Kotak Mahindra Finance Limited’s acquisition of a banking license, the private client division of Kotak Securities transitioned to Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited as the Wealth Management division.

Mukund holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the Faculty of Technology and Engineering, M.S. University, Baroda, and an MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies, M.S. University, Baroda. With 25 years of experience in investment advisory, securities broking, private banking, and manufacturing, Mukund brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role.

Vineet Prakash

Vineet serves as the Executive Vice President of Private Banking at Kotak Mahindra Bank in Mumbai. With over two decades of comprehensive experience in the financial sector, Vineet has been an integral part of Kotak Mahindra Bank for more than 14 years. Throughout his tenure, he has contributed to various verticals within the bank, including Corporate Liabilities and Global Transaction Services, and currently leads the Banking Business for Private Banking.

Before joining Kotak, Vineet gained valuable experience at ICICI Bank and Tata AIG. He holds an MBA from KJ Somaiya, Mumbai, and is a Certified Trade Finance Professional from the ICC. Additionally, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Patna University.

Rajeev Agarwal

With over two decades of dedicated service at Kotak Private Banking, Rajeev currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President. Beginning his career with Kotak in January 2004 as an Operations Officer in Kotak Securities, Rajeev has demonstrated exceptional leadership across various roles within Kotak, encompassing Finance, Operations, Business Intelligence, and Compliance functions such as Regulatory Reporting, Risk & Internal Controls, and Audits.

His strategic vision has been pivotal in establishing Advisory Services, Alternate Funds, and Portfolio Management Services within Kotak Bank and its subsidiaries. Academically, Rajeev holds an MBA in Finance from NMIMS and a B.Com from K.J. Somaiya College of Science & Commerce. Outside of his professional endeavors, he enjoys exploring nature and watching movies, reflecting his diverse interests and well-rounded personality.

Vodhi Chakravartty

Vodhi has been a cornerstone of the Kotak group for over 23 years, beginning his illustrious career as a Relationship Manager in Kolkata. In 2004, he transitioned to Mumbai, where he has consistently managed key clients and taken on increasingly significant roles. His journey culminated in leading the Western Region for the Professionals Vertical, showcasing his leadership and client management skills.

In his current role, Vodhi heads the strategy division. His keen ability to identify opportunities, execute strategic initiatives, and drive business success has established him as a vital leader in shaping the firm’s future direction. His strategic vision and execution prowess are instrumental in navigating the complex landscape of the financial industry.

Beyond his professional achievements, Vodhi is an avid reader, a movie enthusiast, a music lover, and a passionate traveler who enjoys exploring different cultures around the world. Vodhi holds a graduate degree in Political Science and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, which have equipped him with a strong foundation in both analytical and managerial skills.