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Meet Our Management Team

Welcome to Elara Capital’s Management Team page, where we introduce you to the visionary leaders driving our organization towards excellence. With a wealth of experience and expertise, our senior management team embodies the spirit of innovation, integrity, and dedication. Get to know the individuals shaping Elara’s future and leading us toward new heights of success.

Raj Bhatt, the visionary founder of Elara Capital in 2002, laid the cornerstone for a journey marked by financial innovation and excellence. Over three decades of experience have honed Raj's expertise in executing groundbreaking financial transactions, showcasing his global reach across seven locations spanning three continents. As a financial trailblazer, Raj's mastery in financial re-engineering and fundraising has propelled Elara to pioneer new frontiers in capital markets. Under his strategic leadership, Elara has evolved into a multifaceted entity, offering corporate advisory, asset management, broking, mergers & acquisitions, and private equity services. Raj's commitment to ethical stewardship ensures that Elara's success is founded on integrity and transparency. As Chairman & CEO, Raj continues to steer Elara toward new heights of success and distinction, driving sustained growth and global impact.

Ajay Pandey brings over 27 years of extensive experience in the financial services industry to his role as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Capital Market business at Elara Capital. As a founding team member, Ajay plays a pivotal role in shaping the overall growth trajectory of the Elara group of companies, leveraging his strategic insights and industry expertise. His entrepreneurial background includes a two-year stint where he invested discretionary funds for clients in emerging markets, showcasing his agility and adaptability in navigating dynamic market environments. Prior to his entrepreneurial venture, Ajay gained valuable experience at Kotak Mahindra, contributing to the success of various initiatives and projects within the financial services sector. With academic credentials that include a Master of Business Administration degree from the Faculty of Management Studies, Vadodara, and a Master of Science from M.S. University, Vadodara, Ajay underscores his academic prowess and commitment to continuous learning and development.

With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Harendra Kumar brings a wealth of expertise and insights to his role as Managing Director at Elara Securities. He spearheads Elara Securities' institutional equities business in India and leads its cutting-edge global research efforts, showcasing his strategic vision and leadership prowess. Harendra has built several highly successful and profitable sell-side businesses throughout his career, focusing on institutional and retail equities, sales, trading, research, and distribution. His industry experience includes prominent positions at renowned financial institutions such as ICICI Securities and Centrum Broking, where he played a pivotal role in driving growth and delivering value to clients. Harendra's educational background as a Commerce Graduate with a postgraduate degree in law underscores his commitment to continuous learning and development, reflecting his multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving.

Sameer Shetty, an accomplished leader with over two decades of experience in the financial services industry, brings his strategic acumen and deep market insight at Elara Capital Group. Since joining Elara, Sameer has played a pivotal role in driving the firm’s growth, leveraging his extensive expertise in investment banking, capital markets, and corporate finance. His leadership has been instrumental in expanding Elara’s footprint across key markets and strengthening its service offerings in mergers & acquisitions, equity capital markets, and debt syndication. Known for his forward-thinking approach and unwavering commitment to client success, Sameer is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity and excellence. Under his guidance, Elara continues to thrive, delivering innovative financial solutions and fostering long-term partnerships that drive sustained value creation.

Bringing extensive industry experience spanning over two decades in Investment Banking and Equity Capital Markets, Ramnish Kochgave assumes the role of President and Head of ECM at Elara Capital. Ramnish has cultivated a diverse client portfolio throughout his career, collaborating with companies across Large Cap, Mid Cap, and Small Cap sectors to provide fundraising and advisory services. His expertise encompasses various facets of the financial landscape, including Capital Markets, M&A, Private Equity, and restructuring & advisory business. Ramnish's commitment to excellence is evident in his tenure at Elara Capital since February 2019, where he continues to drive growth and deliver value to clients. Prior to joining Elara, he held significant roles at SBI Capital Markets Ltd., where he honed his skills and contributed to the success of various initiatives. Academically, Ramnish holds a postgraduate diploma in management (PGDM) from IIM Lucknow and a bachelor's degree in statistics (H) from the University of Delhi, highlighting his academic excellence and commitment to professional development. In his capacity as President of Investment Banking and Head of ECM, Ramnish leads Elara Capital's endeavors to provide comprehensive investment banking solutions to clients, leveraging his strategic vision and industry expertise to drive success and growth.

Abhijit Das, a seasoned financial expert with over 25 years of experience, stands as a driving force behind Elara Capital Group’s innovative financial strategies and solutions. Abhijit has been instrumental in shaping the firm’s vision and expanding its influence across the financial services landscape. His deep expertise in investment banking, capital markets, and corporate advisory has been pivotal in executing complex transactions and delivering exceptional value to clients. Abhijit's strategic mindset and ability to navigate dynamic market environments have reinforced Elara’s reputation as a trusted partner in mergers & acquisitions, equity and debt capital markets, and private equity. His commitment to excellence and ethical leadership ensures that Elara’s growth is sustainable and impactful. Under Abhijit's leadership, Elara continues to pioneer new opportunities, driving financial innovation and long-term success for its clients.

Bringing decades of industry experience to his role as Chief Executive Officer of PCG Elara Capital Group, Nitesh Shah is a seasoned leader in the Financial and Banking Industry. With over 30 years of leadership experience, Nitesh possesses a wealth of expertise that is evident in his strategic vision and profound industry insights. Throughout his career, Nitesh has cultivated elite corporate relationships, enabling him to interact with influential personnel and enhance his industry presence on a global scale. His proficiency extends to private client portfolio management, where he has demonstrated strategic acumen in handling portfolios across India and globally, contributing to the success of ventures and capital-raising endeavors within short time frames. As a seasoned wealth manager, Nitesh excels in advising super-affluent clients and family offices on portfolio management systems, leveraging his deep understanding of financial markets and investment strategies. Academically, Nitesh holds a Master of Business Administration (Finance) degree and is a qualified Cost Accountant, reflecting his academic excellence and specialized knowledge in finance and wealth management. In his capacity as Chief Executive Officer, Nitesh provides visionary leadership to Elara Capital's wealth management division, driving business development initiatives and capital-raising efforts while delivering tailored solutions to meet the client's unique needs.

Bringing strategic leadership to Elara Capital's expansion endeavors in Southeast Asia, Joseph K. Mammen serves as the Managing Director based in Singapore. With a focus on bolstering the investment banking platform, Joseph aims to cater to corporations in the region and enhance cross-border deal flows by leveraging Elara's global presence. With over a decade of experience in investment banking, Joseph's expertise is evident from his previous leadership roles in Sales & Trading across Elara's offices worldwide, where he originated and executed various financial transactions. Prior to joining Elara, Joseph held significant positions at Aberdeen Asset Management and GE Capital, further solidifying his industry acumen. Joseph's academic background, including a first degree in Economics from Madras Christian College and a Master's degree from Manchester Business School, underscores his commitment to continuous learning and academic excellence. With a tenure at Elara since 2005, Joseph's dedication and leadership have played a pivotal role in driving the company's growth and success in the Asian market.

Bringing a strategic vision to his role, David Somekh assumes the position of President and Head of Elara Capital's Americas business, spearheading the firm's expansion endeavors with a focus on Corporate Finance origination/execution, in establishing to in developing, Emerging Market Sales/Trading, and third-party LP fundraising. With a rich and varied background, David's extensive experience adds depth to his leadership. Having joined Elara Capital's London headquarters in 2008, he was pivotal in establishing the Capital Markets division before relocating to New York in 2010 to spearhead Elara's Americas business. Collaborating with institutional investors and corporations globally, the USA office leverages Elara's expansive network to facilitate cross-border transactions and unlock new opportunities for clients. Prior to his current role, David accrued diverse expertise across sectors such as speculative energy investment, interest rate futures investment, sales/trading, and management accounting at reputable firms like BP and Fujitsu. David's academic journey, marked by a theoretical physics degree from University College London, underscores his analytical prowess and commitment to intellectual rigor. At Elara Americas, David's innovative leadership and strategic acumen propel the company's growth and success, establishing Elara as a leader in the Americas region and beyond.

As a seasoned IT professional with over 25 years of experience spanning India and the UK, Mahesh Iyer brings a wealth of expertise to his role as Chief Technology Officer at Elara Capital Group. Holding an Electronics Degree, Mahesh has demonstrated his proficiency in leveraging technology for the financial services sector, leading multiple technology teams in designing, developing, and implementing cutting-edge solutions across various domains. His leadership encompasses Asset Management, Investment Banking, Broking, Finance, Manufacturing, Outsourcing, and Product Development. Mahesh's strategic vision guides Elara Capital's technological roadmap, driving innovation and ensuring seamless integration to enhance operational efficiency and client satisfaction. Committed to excellence, Mahesh's dedication to driving technological advancements positions Elara Capital as a leader in the financial services industry.

With over 20 years of diverse experience in Human Resources across multiple industries, Savio D'Souza assumes the role of Head/ Human Resources at Elara Capital. His extensive background encompasses stints in Financial Services, Retail, Manufacturing, and Distribution, providing him with a well-rounded understanding of HR dynamics across different sectors. Savio's strategic leadership capabilities are evident from his previous roles, where he excelled in Talent and Performance Management and HR strategy formulation, fostering the development of high-performing business teams. With a B.Sc in Geology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management from the Goa Institute of Management, Savio underscores his academic excellence and commitment to professional growth. Prior to joining Elara Capital, he contributed to the success of various HR initiatives and projects at SBI Capital Markets Ltd. At Elara Capital, Savio continues his commitment to talent development, driving initiatives to attract, retain, and develop top talent, thereby contributing to the company's sustained growth and success.

As a seasoned financial expert, Kamal Kishore Sati brings over 25 years of experience in private practice to his role as Chief Financial Officer at Elara Securities (India) Private Limited. With a background in consultancy and diversified accounting in the manufacturing industry, Kamal has garnered extensive exposure to various financial functions and operations, showcasing his versatility and depth of expertise. His proficiency extends to System Application Products - Enterprise Resource Products (SAP-ERP), where he has demonstrated notable success in implementing the FICO module of SAP, highlighting his technical acumen and ability to drive operational efficiencies. Since joining Elara Securities in November 2007, Kamal has played a pivotal role in driving financial excellence and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, contributing significantly to the company's growth and success. Kamal's unwavering commitment to excellence and his ability to navigate complex financial landscapes underscore his dedication to driving Elara Securities' financial strategy and positioning the company for long-term success.

Anand Rao

Elara Securities (India) Private Limited.

Anand holds an MBA from the University of Pune with specialization in Finance and is a commerce graduate with Banking & Finance as the specialized subject.
He has a career spanning over 15 years in the financial services sector. Over the past and present years, he has rich work experience in intermediary compliances pertaining to Stock Broking, Research Analyst, Investment Advisers, Alternative Investment Funds, Depository Participant services, Merchant Banking and Portfolio Management Services (PMS) across assignments handled.

Anand has been instrumental in setting up various policies, procedures, processes and controls including licensing to set-up for Indian business operations under compliance requirements of SEBI, Exchanges, Depositories etc. and also requirements applicable under various complex cross border regulations of FCA, SEC, FINRA etc. for proper business conduct and ensure that best global practices are followed.

Prior to Elara, Anand has worked in organizations such as UTI Securities Limited (now known as Standard Chartered Securities (India) Limited) and Batlivala & Karani Securities India Private Limited.