Bajaj Appoints Jitendra Gohil as CIO to Lead New Alternative Investment Fund

In a major move underscoring India’s intensifying battle for investment talent, Bajaj Alternate Investment Management Ltd., the alternative investment arm of the Bajaj Group, has hired Jitendra Gohil as its new Chief Investment Officer (CIO). Gohil joins from Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Ltd., signaling a strategic shift by Bajaj as it strengthens its presence in India’s $169 billion alternative investment industry.

Who is Jitendra Gohil?

• Jitendra Gohil is a respected figure in India’s financial markets with nearly two decades of experience.
• Before joining Kotak, he spent 14 years at Credit Suisse India where he served in various capacities including Chief Investment Strategist.
• Known for his deep market insights and strategic acumen, Gohil brings a strong background in macroeconomics, portfolio management, and wealth advisory.
• His new role at Bajaj positions him at the forefront of the company’s effort to build a new alternative investment fund (AIF) targeting India’s growing base of high-net-worth individuals.

Bajaj’s Vision and Leadership Strategy

• Bajaj Alternate Investment Management, a part of one of India’s oldest and most trusted business conglomerates, is rapidly expanding its investment portfolio in the alternative space.
• The appointment of Gohil is seen as a key step in a broader plan led by Lakshmi Iyer, Group President of Investments.
• Iyer, who joined Bajaj from Kotak in 2023, is now steering the company through a phase of aggressive team-building and fund expansion.
• The firm is planning to hire up to 20 investment professionals and senior leaders, suggesting a strong pipeline of new products and a long-term vision for dominance in the alternative asset segment.

Rising Competition in India’s Asset Management Sector

• India’s alternative investment industry, which includes private equity, venture capital, real estate, and structured credit funds, is currently valued at ₹15 trillion (approx. $169 billion), according to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
• These funds are designed primarily for high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and institutions seeking higher returns than traditional mutual funds.

Static Facts

• CIO Appointed: Jitendra Gohil
• From: Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Ltd.
• To: Bajaj Alternate Investment Management Ltd.
• Role: Chief Investment Officer (CIO)
• Industry Size: ₹15 trillion (approx. $169 billion) – Indian AIF market
• Reporting to: Lakshmi Iyer, Group President – Investments