Prior to joining the Aditya Birla Group, Ajay was Chief Executive, Fund Management, Prudential Corporation Asia, based in Hong Kong. Under Ajay’s leadership, Prudential’s fund management operations grew rapidly, both organically and through acquisition. Ajay oversaw a business that spanned ten markets, including Japan, with total funds under management of about USD 70 billion, which made it at the time the second largest retail fund manager in Asia. As a member of Prudential Corporation Asia’s Board of Directors, Ajay also oversaw the development of Prudential’s retirement business in Asia.
Ajay joined Prudential in 1998 as Managing Director of Prudential ICICI Asset Management Company, Prudential’s Indian fund management joint venture with ICICI Bank. Within two years of operation, Prudential ICICI AMC had grown to become the largest private sector asset management company in India.
Prior to joining Prudential, Ajay was the deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the Indian operations of Threadneedle Asset Management.
With a proven track record for building successful businesses, his experience in the financial services industry spans over two and a half decades.
Ajay has been engaged with several bodies, including the Financial Planning Standards Board, the CII Committee on Financial Sector Reforms, the CII Committee on Financial Inclusion, the CII Committee on Insurance and Pensions, and the FICCI Committee on Insurance. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of the City of London and a Director on PRIDE, an NGO.
Ajay holds a BA with Honours in Economics from St. Stephens College, University of Delhi, and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.