Team of advisors

Arun Thukral

Team of advisors

Arun has more than 35 years of investment banking experience and retired as the MD & CEO of Axis Securities, one of the biggest online retail brokers in India and originator of multiple retail lending products for Axis Bank. Under Arun's leadership, Axis Securities was awarded as a top equity broker and best growing broking house in India for multiple years. It also won multiple awards in the areas of innovation and marketing from agencies such as DMA, Indipool, DIGIXX and IAMAI in the areas of email marketing, innovation, website design and marketing innovation. Arun was one of the founding team members of Axis Bank and was a rates trader as part of the treasury team of the Bank and then helped boost the credit business of the Bank. 

Arun now shares his expertise and grooms young Indians. He is a Professor of Practice - Finance at K J Somaiya Institute of Management, visiting faculty at IMT Nagpur, guest lecturer at IIM Mumbai, IIM Bangalore other B-Schools.

Arun is recognised as top BFSI leaders by the World BFSI Congress and ETNOW. Arun is associated with the FPSB-India: Council Chair, Certified Financial Planner’s Advisory Council, Confederation of Indian Industry: Member, National Committee on Financial Markets.

After graduation, Arun went on to complete Master's in commerce, LLB, MBA-Finance and sought certifications as CFP and CAIIB.

Dr. Deependra Nigam (Dipy)

Dipy is the Managing Partner & Country Director (India & Area) of Horton International – Executive Search Management Consultants. Dipy started his career in 1982 in VIP Industries and from 1988 to 1992 moved into Financial Services Sector-American Express-(AmEx) Travel Related Services as Head-Sales & Key Accounts (India & Area). He started recruitment career from 1992 as COO of Sinclus Marketing, a leading recruiter of Technical & Commercial personnel.

From 1996 to 99 – CEO of Zodiaac Executive Personnel Search and from 1999-2001 – CEO of Zodiaac Information Consultants which was associated with Hay Management Consultants and from 2001 till date Advisor to Zodiaac Executive Talent Solutions, search for mid to senior level positions. Since 2009, Dipy has been running India biz of Horton International and is also a Shareholder in Horton Group International (HGIL).

Dipy completed M.M.S. (M.B.A.) from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies. B.Sc. in Life Sciences from St. Xavier’s College at Bombay University.

Dipy is a Member of BMA, IGCC, IBG – India business group and ex Vice Chairman – Executive Recruiters Association.

Kamal Mehta

Kamal has helped set up number of new manufacturing businesses. Kamal is an investment and financial expert and has worked on multiple techno-feasibility studies. He has been a key finance professional for arranging different kinds of finances such as working capital. He has managed/ supervised all functions of Corporate Treasury, Accounts, Finance, Direct Tax & Indirect taxes of multiple group companies having different locations and business heads.

Kamal has worked on mergers and acquisitions including amalgamation of group companies for better work synergies. Implementing & liaising with different government / semi government departments including NCLT & official Liquidators.

Kamal was the key professional involved in negotiations / discussions with FMCG major - Hindustan Unilever Limited for helping a start up to enter into contract manufacturing of iodised salt under brand name CAPTAIN COOK and ANNAPURNA SALT. He was also actively involved in negotiations and finalisation of commercial terms of another start up who who entered into a joint venture with Godrej in construction of real estate projects where he liaised with legal counsel for finalisation of all commercial terms. 

Kamal has worked with Super Salts group, Bajaj Hirers & Lessors and G. M. Breweries group. Kamal started his career with chartered accountancy firms including big-4 accounting majors and is a qualified chartered accountant and cost accountant.

Manish has more than 35+ years of banking experience leading front office treasury teams, Manish last led the treasury team of Citibank UAE from Dubai and headed its foreign exchange dealing room with US$100mln+ revenues. He mastered the art of designing efficient sales model, balancing the four tiers of the business - Coverage-Control-Risk-Revenue. He drove strategic initiatives, including E-Comm platforms, automation, and expanding to exotic countries and leveraged Citi's global network for meticulous client gap analysis.

Prior to that Manish managed the TTLC segment of Standard Chartered Bank, overseeing a diverse portfolio of clients, including automobile importers, trading houses, real estate developers, major manufacturers, and large retail chains and played a key role in Standard Chartered Bank's wholesale bank strategy committee, contributing to strategic decisions.

Manish started his banking career with ABN AMRO Bank in the treasury dealing room of Dubai.

Manish Bhatia