Avendus Announces Appointment of two Executive Directors

Avendus Wealth Management, the wealth management arm of leading financial services firm, Avendus Capital, has announced the appointment of Pankaj Fitkariwala and Ashvini Chopra as Executive Directors.

Fitkariwala has joined as the Chief Operating Officer of Avendus Wealth. He brings with him 21 years of rich wealth management experience, spanning an extensive range of functions across operations, technology, risk and compliance, Avendus said in a press release. His strong credential of delivering superior customer journeys, coupled with his deep understanding of risk and compliance, will help Avendus in constructing a next-gen platform for wealth management.

Prior to joining Avendus Wealth, Fitkariwala worked with IIFL Wealth Management Limited as Senior Managing Partner and during his association with IIFL Wealth was responsible for various functions including operations, technology, legal, compliance, risk, accounts and finance.

Before IIFL Wealth, Fitkariwala worked with Barclays Bank where he headed operations and technology for the bank’s wealth management business. During his career, Fitkariwala has also worked with ABN AMRO Bank and Kotak Mahindra Group. At ABN AMRO he was responsible for Private Banking Clients, whereas during his stint with Kotak Mahindra Group, he was instrumental in setting up the Private Client Business for Kotak Mahindra Inc, USA.

Chopra joins Avendus Wealth Management from Bennett Coleman & Co. and will lead the family office vertical.  In his previous role, his responsibilities included lifestyle management, travel planning, tax planning, tax filings, governance administration, personal accounts management, investment management and family expenses management. With a career spanning 27 years across family office management, private banking and capital markets, he has a strong track record in the industry. He has worked with over 130 large and small families, providing tailored solutions to complex issues such as trusteeship, succession and estate planning, and family office administration.

Under Chopra’s aegis, Avendus Wealth aims to further bolster its family office proposition, encompassing areas related to financial planning, risk management, taxation, compliance, family governance and strategy, enhancing its capability to offer high-quality, bespoke family office solutions to clients.

Pankaj Fitkariwala, Executive Director, COO, Avendus Wealth Management, said: “Avendus Wealth is renowned for providing innovative, custom-made solutions to an eclectic range of high-quality clients. I am happy to have this opportunity to work with the company to achieve its strategic vision of being the best in business. I am looking forward to supporting our wealth management customers in meeting their briskly evolving needs of today and tomorrow.”

Ashvini Chopra, Executive Director, Avendus Wealth Management, said: “I am excited to be a part of the Avendus Wealth Management and its exceptional leadership team. Avendus Wealth is an all-encompassing holistic ecosystem, anchored by professional depth and brilliance, providing a differentiated range of services to its clients. I look forward to contribute significantly on this journey of excellence.”

Nitin Singh, Managing Director and CEO, Avendus Wealth Management, said: “We are happy to welcome Ashvini and Pankaj on board. Between them, they bring in over 48 years of impeccable experience across different sectors of the industry. As Avendus Wealth continues to double down on building the next-generation platform for wealth management, we look forward to utilising their prowess and leadership in their respective fields to deliver superior customer experiences and achieve expansive growth. We are strategically using the dislocation in the market to increase market share, and are identifying key talent with deep expertise to build out the platform. Our focus will continue to be on building and working with the best talent in the industry. I look ahead to working with this extremely talented duo and take the company to the next level while continuing to create value for clients, employees and stakeholders.”