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Eshwar Karra
CEO at Kotak Strategic Situations Fund
Eshwar Karra is a seasoned financial services professional currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Kotak Strategic Situations fund at Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Limited.1 He assumed this position in April 2023.1
Career Highlights
Karra has over two decades of experience in the financial services industry, with a particular focus on distressed assets for the past decade.1 His career journey includes:
- CEO, Kotak Special Situations Fund (January 2019 - Present)
- CEO, Phoenix ARC Private Limited (February 2014 - December 2018)
- Executive Vice President, Kotak Mahindra Bank (November 2000 - March 2014)
- Regional Manager, Ceat Financial Services Ltd (July 1995 - October 2000)
Expertise and Achievements
Karra was part of the founding team that initiated the distressed asset business at Kotak in 2000.1 Under his leadership, the proprietary desk successfully invested over Rs 2,500 crores (approximately USD $400 million) in this business, consistently generating returns.1 He has developed expertise in:
- Identifying distressed opportunities
- Structuring complex financial transactions
- Executing deals meticulously
- Securing profitable exits
Educational Background
Eshwar Karra's educational qualifications include:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Institute of Management Development and Research (IMDR), Pune (1990-1992)
- Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.) in Business Administration and Management from Deccan Education Society's Brihan Maharashtra College of Commerce, Pune (1987-1990)
His early education was completed at various schools in Jamshedpur, including Loyola School, Little Flower School, and Chinmaya Vidyalaya.1
Highlights
I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Chief Executive Officer, Kotak Strategic Situations fund at Kotak Alternate Asset Managers Limited!
Be it fierce competition or black swan events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, very few companies are immune to the stresses and drops caused by disruptive market forces. For any PE-VC with an appetite for risk, times like these create immense opportunities in the ‘distressed M&A’ category.
In this blog, sharing the two-most non-negotiable considerations, the ways to lead a distressed business to stability, followed by a successful recovery. #covid19 #newnormal
