Sam, in a career spanning over 30 years in the financial industry, holds deep expertise in business strategy, structuring deals, VC/PE investments, turnarounds and fundraising.
In his Private Equity role, Sam oversees investment strategy and is responsible for identifying and investing in businesses to build a Portfolio that drives value to Bajaj Finserv Group’s markets driven by major Global and Indian Megatrends, India-Stack driven businesses, Gen Z growth driven businesss/platforms, financial technologies, Enterprise Gen AI adoption, health-tech, data analytics and business insights companies.
His role also involves proactive risk-mitigation in investment planning and management through use of data analytics and business insights.
As Group Strategy Head at Bajaj Finserv, Sam and the Strategy Team work with Bajaj Finserv Group Companies in shaping and monitoring key strategic projects aiming to cross-pollinate learnings, synergies and capabilities across the Group. The strategy function brings outside-in insights, relevant international mega-trends and prospective ideas to the Group Companies, in addition to driving multi-company Group initiatives.
Before joining Bajaj Finserv, Sam was CEO at Brand Capital, part of the Bennett Coleman & Company Ltd. (Times Group), where he is credited with significant investments in brand-led companies, restructuring the business during challenging times for driving growth, and building a very large portfolio of venture investments and several profitable exits.
Previously, Sam was entrepreneur and founded Sprout Growth Advisors, a Family Office advisory firm, with broad investing, portfolio operations and key exits responsibilities.
Sam has also led teams and business strategies at Houlihan Lokey India JV as Managing Partner & Board Director, India Equity Partners Fund as Co-founder and Managing Director, American Express Company as Vice President, Strategic Planning and Business Development, Goldman Sachs as Private Wealth Manager, and Booz Allen Hamilton as Consultant.
Sam holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from India’s premier institute, IIT Madras, a Master of Science degree from Vanderbilt University, US, and is an MBA from Booth School of Business, University of Chicago.
Sam has served as Economic Advisor to HH the Dalai Lama’s Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Mcleod Ganj, India.
Sam is also recipient of the Bharat Shiromani Award as Entrepreneur of the Year 2019.