ASK Long Short Fund Managers Pvt Ltd – Portfolio Management Services (PMS)

Chief Investment Officer

Piyush assumed the role of Chief Investment Officer and Fund Manager, Hedge Fund Solutions at ASK Group in September 2023. His mandate is to establish and oversee the firm's Alternative Investment platform. In his current capacity, he defines the firm's investment philosophy and strategic direction for its diverse alternative investment products, including the prominent India long-short strategy. He also holds comprehensive responsibility for the investment team and business operations. Key functions include originating, managing, and supervising investments, developing investment policies, and collaborating with the fund management team to enhance investment outcomes. With over two decades of experience in financial services, Piyush brings over 25 years of expertise in the Indian equity markets. He is recognized for his profound understanding of derivatives and fundamental analysis. His systematic and disciplined methodology has consistently delivered favourable risk-adjusted returns through various market conditions. Piyush commenced his career in 1996 at DSP Merrill Lynch, where he made significant contributions to the equity broking sector and was instrumental in the establishment of the Derivatives and Structured Products desk. His proficiency in investment and hedging strategies led him to manage Merrill Lynch's proprietary India book, overseeing assets valued at $1 billion. In 2008, Mr. Shah joined Ambit Private Ltd, where he managed the proprietary trading business. He played a critical role in launching one of India's initial long-short funds for retail investors, operating under Category III of Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) as regulated by SEBI. In collaboration with his team, he substantially influenced the Indian hedge fund landscape, growing the largest onshore Indian hedge fund to an AUM of Rs 1200 Crores. His tenure at Avendus from 2016 to 2023 was characterized by substantial growth and expansion. Mr. Shah was instrumental in developing the business, cultivating a robust team, and diversifying product offerings. Under his leadership, Avendus achieved a peak AUM of Rs 7000 Crores, demonstrating his capability to foster success and innovation within the financial industry. Piyush holds a Degree in Financial Management from Mumbai University.

Chief Executive Officer

In August 2023, Vaibhav assumed the role of Managing Director & CEO, Hedge Fund Solutions at ASK Group. His mandate involves establishing and overseeing the firm's Alternative Investment platform. This encompasses the management of diverse alternative strategies, including the prominent India long-short strategy, alongside comprehensive responsibility for the investment team and overall business operations. Previously, Vaibhav served as a key figure at Avendus Capital Public Markets Alternate Strategies LLP, where he managed a portfolio of alternative strategies valued at approximately US$1 billion. His earlier career included a tenure at DSP Merrill Lynch, where he played a pivotal role in developing the proprietary trading business for alternative investments. He commenced his professional journey at HDFC Bank, providing private banking advisory services before transitioning to the proprietary trading desk. Vaibhav is a recognized contributor to the industry, frequently participating as a speaker at industry forums. He actively champions the advancement of alternative investment solutions in India through consistent engagement with media and investors. Academically, Vaibhav holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com) degree from the University of Mumbai and is a Chartered Accountant.