Ashika’s Bold Move in Asset Management: A New Dawn in Investment
Ashika is reshaping India's asset management landscape with innovative strategies focused on alternatives, led by veteran Ajay Arora.
From Broking Roots to Asset Management Crusaders
Beginning as a stockbroking and investment banking leader in Eastern India, Ashika Group’s strategic migration to Mumbai in 2007 heralded an era of new ambitions—entering the asset management arena spearheaded by Ajay Arora, the Joint CEO of Ashika Investment Managers. Arora’s extensive international exposure provides a robust foundation to revamp Ashika’s approach from transactional stock brokering to strategic asset management.
The Shift Towards Alternatives
Strategically opting for the Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) segment, Ashika is poised to innovate without the constraints of legacy models. As per Arora, Specialised Investment Funds (SIFs) are the future, offering tax benefits without the administrative drawbacks associated with Portfolio Management Services (PMS). According to Hubbis, such funds present a modern, adaptable architecture attractive to HNW clients looking for customization and operational transparency.
Aligning Domestic and Global Investment Visions
Though maturing, India’s asset management landscape still offers vast opportunities for innovative entrants. Ashika’s strategy, founded on high-conviction strategies, aims to introduce products that not only comply with regulatory standards but truly reflect client behaviors and needs. Domestically rooted yet globally ambitious, Ashika envisions a future where its offerings also attract offshore investors.
Patience and Process: Building with Purpose
For Ashika, asset management is a marathon, not a sprint. Committed to long-term capability-building over flashy, short-term wins, their goal is a sustainable, research-led platform. Arora emphasizes that execution excellence, rooted in product relevance, operational transparency, and technical insight, is the blueprint for enduring success in the competitive asset management sphere.
Innovating in a Crowded Field
To differentiate in an overcrowded market, Arora illuminates Ashika’s strategic priorities: a differentiated alternatives platform, robust risk management, and preparation for enduring changes in investor behavior. Across active management, quantitative, and private credit strategies, Ashika values innovation and foresight, focusing on enduring solutions over transient speculation.
The Role of Cutting-edge Technology
AI and quantitative strategies are at the forefront of Ashika’s innovation arsenal, allowing them to design products with greater precision and efficiency. In conjunction, private credit—projected to burgeon to USD60-65 billion by 2025—offers promising ground for secured, non-real-estate lending, making it a focus area for Ashika’s capital preservation mandate.
A Glimpse into the Personal Essence of Ajay Arora
Arora’s success is a tapestry woven from decades of global experience, adept market understanding, and personal resilience. Whether through his trailblazing journey across the world’s financial centers or the convictions shaped in India’s volatile markets, Arora’s leadership at Ashika is characterized by adaptability, sheer dedication, and a commitment to driving the asset management narrative into a new era. “Trust, is still the most important asset you can offer,” he asserts, aligning with Ashika’s trailblazing asset management ambitions.