Group: Operations, Compliance & IT

I was motivated to join Banyan Tree because I was seeking a job change in early 2006. A reference from Banyan Tree’s auditor highlighted it as a great place to work and learn new things, with Sandeep and Ravi being wonderful people to work with. Coming from an audit firm, the PMS field looked interesting and offered a new learning opportunity in my early career.

When I first joined Banyan Tree, it was a small setup, and I was the first employee. We had about 20 clients and around Rs. 22 crore in AUM. All operational activities were manually handled, from writing cheques to preparing Excel sheets for client transactions and RBI reporting. Today, we have expanded to over 1900 clients and an AUM of Rs. 5500 crore. Our team has grown from just me to 50 employees. We moved from a small, house-like office to a fully corporate setup, which makes me very proud. Additionally, we opened an office in Mumbai, transitioned from Excel to PMS software, and automated many reporting processes to meet more stringent regulatory requirements.

Over the past 18 years, I have contributed to operations, finance, and compliance, and handled some aspects of HR in the early days. Today, as Banyan Tree’s Compliance Officer, my main responsibility is to ensure that the company complies with all regulatory requirements at all times. I see my role as akin to a captain navigating the boat safely, as I am accountable and responsible for any deviations or issues in these areas. This responsibility drives me to maintain the highest standards and ensures that our company remains compliant and efficient.

I have always approached my work with full enthusiasm, treating Banyan Tree as my own firm. Transitioning between different roles presented its own challenges. Managing people with diverse skills, behaviors, and languages was especially challenging. Additionally, balancing the diverse viewpoints of five directors required careful coordination and collaboration. I overcame these challenges by developing strong communication skills, fostering teamwork, and always aiming for consensus.

I have always had an artistic mind and tend to see things in a creative manner, which naturally led to my interest in painting. Painting provides me with a sense of relaxation and helps me unwind from my professional responsibilities. Although I have never exhibited my artwork or participated in any art-related events, painting remains a personal activity that brings me joy and mental relaxation.

My core expertise lies in system engineering, network architecture, and IT security. Over the years, I have developed a deep understanding of managing end-user hardware and software issues, configuring and maintaining organizational network architecture, and ensuring robust IT security measures.

Ensuring compliance with SEBI’s cybersecurity regulations is a critical aspect of my role at Banyan Tree Advisors. I frequently work with partners to stay updated on current and new regulations, and I participate in meetings organized by SEBI and other governing bodies. At Banyan Tree Advisors, we strive to stay at the forefront of technological advancements by continuously updating our technologies and implementing new tools to improve our IT infrastructure and security.

Staying current with technological developments is essential for effectively performing these duties. I engage in continuous research, follow market trends, and collaborate with other firms to ensure we leverage the latest innovations to maintain and enhance our IT systems.

Balancing my professional responsibilities with my personal life is important to me. On weekends, I relax by going shopping, taking walks to stay energetic, playing with my daughter, watching movies, and spending time with friends.

Let me begin by explaining what Process Excellence means to me and how it drives our work at Banyan Tree Advisors.

Process Excellence is about finding new ways to improve business processes to boost efficiency, productivity, and accuracy by continuously adapting and refining how we work, using various methodologies, and seeking out the best tools and technologies.

At Banyan Tree Advisors, our rapid growth places increasing demands on improving and maintaining quality and consistency in all aspects, such as client servicing, compliance, and operational efficiency. To achieve this, I work closely with the Compliance, Operations, and Technology teams, ensuring seamless collaboration and integration across departments.

Process improvement is not confined to specific core functions; it extends to all areas within the organization. For example, I have been involved in setting up our new offices and implementing new technologies.

In addition to my professional responsibilities, I believe that a balanced life is crucial for sustained success. This philosophy extends beyond the workplace and into my personal life.

I have always loved dogs and consider them an integral part of my family. Their unconditional love and loyalty have provided me with countless memorable experiences, from my childhood Pomeranian, Tony, to our Rottweiler, Scooby.

I am also a travel enthusiast and have embarked on many adventures, mostly by bike and car. Nathula Valley, Sikkim, and Langkawi are some of my favourite destinations. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, photography, and watching movies in the theatre.