Leading a $1.5 Billion Financial Services Firm | The India Opportunity with Amisha Vora, PL Capital ft Shrishti Sahu

Celebrating 100 years of the Prabhudas Lilladher Group, one of India’s most trusted and respected brand in India’s financial services space

Hello everyone, welcome to The India Opportunity Show where you get a front-row seat to people building India’s future. We talk about unlocking the potential of the country with founders, investors, creators, and successful leaders from different fields to bring you real-life stories and behind-the-scenes of what it takes to be at the forefront of building the India Story.

The 23rd episode of The India Opportunity Show is out now! You can watch it on YouTube or listen to it on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

I’m excited to introduce a true leader in India’s financial services sector, a trailblazer with over 35 years of experience, Amisha Vora. She is the Chairperson and Managing Director of Prabhudas Lilladher Group, one of India’s most trusted and respected brand in India’s financial services space that has just completed 100 years in business! Her journey with PL Capital began in 2000, and since then, she has not only grown the business exponentially but also taken the firm to new heights by diversifying its offerings across investment banking, portfolio management, and more. She started out as an employee but acquired the business from the promoters after spending two decades with the group. She came into prominence when she executed deals worth $1.5 Billion between 2005-2008 across 30 deals for the group.

With numerous prestigious awards under her belt, including being featured on the cover of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women in Business, Amisha is widely recognized for her vision, leadership, and her deep belief in India’s multi-decadal growth story.

In this episode, we’ll dive into Amisha’s incredible career, her perspective on the future of financial services in India, and the leadership principles that have guided her journey. Let’s get started!

Takeaways

• Amisha Vora's journey in finance began at a young age as a chartered accountant.

• She faced significant challenges during her early career, including the 9/11 crisis - she grew the business from 90 Lakhs in revenue to a business that generated 110 Crores in profit!

• Leadership during crises can turn challenges into opportunities for growth.

• Acquiring a majority stake in PL Capital was a strategic move to drive growth, where she acquired 94% of the company from the previous owners.

• Entrepreneurship requires the ability to listen to one's instincts and take calculated risks.

• Innovations in financial services, particularly in quant investments, are crucial for future growth.

• Understanding market cycles is essential for making informed investment decisions.

• The IPO market in India is currently experiencing a boom, driven by high demand.

• Retail investors have become a significant force in the Indian market post-pandemic.

• Balancing personal and professional life is a challenge many working women face.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Amisha Vora's Journey

02:51 Navigating Challenges in Financial Markets

06:00 Leadership Lessons from Crisis

09:09 Acquisition and Growth at PL Capital

11:59 Entrepreneurial Drive and Decision Making

15:13 Innovations in Financial Services

17:54 The Future of Quant Investments

21:02 Market Cycles and Investment Strategies

23:47 IPO Market Dynamics

27:03 Retail Investor Behavior Post-Pandemic

30:03 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

32:48 Reflections on Regrets and Decisions

Follow Amisha here: LinkedIn

Follow Shrishti here: LinkedIn Twitter

If you’re new here, I would love to have you subscribe to the newsletter and our YT channel for more updates. To those who have been with us for a while, I’m grateful for your support and excited to share more stories with you through this medium.

As always, will really appreciate your feedback and support as we build this out for the world!

Please help us spread the word by sharing this episode with your network!

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.