Anil Chopra: A Story Of Pioneering India's Financial Services Ecosystem
Anil Chopra
Group CEO - Retirement & Wealth
Anil's leadership journey reflects dedication, vision, and relentless efforts. Under his aegis, Bajaj Capital has not only expanded its footprint across India but also nurtured a strong culture, empowered employees and fostered long-term relationships with millions of clients.
Anil joined Bajaj Capital in 1984, attracted by its business model and the influence of the then chairman, K.K. Bajaj. Over the past four decades, he has been instrumental in developing the brand, cultivating talent and expanding the business within India.
With the guidance of the Chairman Emeritus K.K. Bajaj, Anil has developed a feeling of ownership and responsibility in the workplace, besides being ready to take up new challenges and opportunities. We are delighted to engage in an exclusive conversation with Anil, who walks us through his Bajaj Capital journey, leadership approach and more.
Forty years is a long time. Tell about the most critical learnings from the momentous challenges you have navigated.
Throughout my career, I have navigated major market challenges, starting from the largely unregulated Indian markets of the mid-1980s. In the late 80s, the establishment of SEBI brought regulations that improved investor trust and paved the way for foreign mutual fund entry, fostering growth.
However, subsequently, the 1992 Harshad Mehta scam and the near-collapse of UTI in the late 1990s were all challenges that we navigated with our resolve.
Other milestones include navigating the 2008 global financial crisis, the introduction of IRDA for insurance and PFRDA for pensions, and the 2013 elimination of upfront brokerages, requiring business model adjustments.
These experiences reminded us of the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and proactive client engagement in a dynamic financial landscape.
How has the role of a finance industry leader evolved during your career?
As a financial services leader, my responsibilities cover three areas. With our team, I focus on recruiting and training the right talent, instilling ethics, and ensuring compliance.
Toward clients, I provide needs-based, fiduciary advice, treating their investments as I would treat my own family's. For the industry and corporates I manage relationships, ensure regulatory compliance, evaluate fund performance, and recommend the best options. Balancing these responsibilities is central to effective leadership.
How do you stay updated with emerging technologies in the industry?
Technology has transformed our operations, eliminating paperwork and enabling clients to access information complete transactions, and view portfolios through apps and digital platforms.
We adopt the best tools to optimize relationship manager productivity and train clients to manage tasks themselves, enhancing control and confidence.
At Bajaj Capital, our mutual funds and insurance apps provide real-time portfolio access, increasing client trust and decision-making efficiency. Going forward, we ensure new recruits are tech-savvy and skilled in AI and analytics to maintain high service standards.
What guidelines or methodologies do you follow in your approach to leadership?
I follow a disciplined and structured approach to leadership, dividing my day broadly into three parts. One-third of my time is spent with my team, interacting with leadership, mentoring, and engaging with colleagues on the ground.
Another third is dedicated to clients through meetings, reviewing their portfolios, or analyzing feedback, as I believe our existence is rooted in serving them. The final third is reserved for strategic work including planning, data analysis, and identifying growth opportunities and solutions to challenges.
This balance of team engagement, client focus, and self-directed strategizing has guided me throughout my career and proven invaluable as a leader.
What are your thoughts on integrating Gen Z into the workforce?
The new generation of employees is highly energetic, technologically adept, and full of innovative ideas. Our challenge is to channel this energy and passion toward their growth and our business's requirements.
To engage them effectively, we use gamification and practical application of tools, encouraging them to learn and then guide clients and their networks.
Toward clients, I provide needs-based, fiduciary advice, treating their investments as I would treat my own family's. For the industry and corporates I manage relationships, ensure regulatory compliance, evaluate fund performance, and recommend the best options. Balancing these responsibilities is central to effective leadership.
Stay attentive to both present challenges & future opportunities
How do you stay updated with emerging technologies in the industry?
Technology has transformed our operations, eliminating paperwork and enabling clients to access information complete transactions, and view portfolios through apps and digital platforms.
We adopt the best tools to optimize relationship manager productivity and train clients to manage tasks themselves, enhancing control and confidence.
At Bajaj Capital, our mutual funds and insurance apps provide real-time portfolio access, increasing client trust and decision-making efficiency. Going forward, we ensure new recruits are tech-savvy and skilled in AI and analytics to maintain high service standards.
What guidelines or methodologies do you follow in your approach to leadership?
I follow a disciplined and structured approach to leadership, dividing my day broadly into three parts. One-third of my time is spent with my team, interacting with leadership, mentoring, and engaging with colleagues on the ground.
Another third is dedicated to clients through meetings, reviewing their portfolios, or analyzing feedback, as I believe our existence is rooted in serving them. The final third is reserved for strategic work including planning, data analysis, and identifying growth opportunities and solutions to challenges.
This balance of team engagement, client focus, and self-directed strategizing has guided me throughout my career and proven invaluable as a leader.
What are your thoughts on integrating Gen Z into the workforce?
The new generation of employees is highly energetic, technologically adept, and full of innovative ideas. Our challenge is to channel this energy and passion toward their growth and our business's requirements.
To engage them effectively, we use gamification and practical application of tools, encouraging them to learn and then guide clients and their networks.
We maintain a balanced workforce by recruiting both fresh talent from Gen Z and experienced professionals, ensuring we can serve clients of all ages, from young adults to retirees.
What is the future road map you have envisioned for yourself for the next five years?
We are adopting a phygital approach, combining physical branches with digital platforms to meet diverse client needs. Physical branches remain essential for face to-face interactions, especially for elderly clients, while younger clients under 35 prefer self-service through apps for transactions such as health or travel insurance and mutual funds.
Our focus on retirement planning is central, with a unique process that generates a detailed,16-page, software-driven, custo - mized plan for each client. We aim to provide comprehensive solutions to all clients while maintaining best-in-class service.
Looking ahead, our goals include expanding our mutualfund AUM, making our app category-leading, increasing retirement planning offerings, and preparing for a successful IPO by 2028.
What advice would you give to upcoming financial leaders?
I would advise upcoming leaders to stay focused, grounded, and celebrate small wins. It is crucial to remain compliant and anticipate regulatory changes to stay ahead. Flexibility and understanding of team expectations are essential when managing teams and client relationships must be nurtured through best in-class service and advice to maintain trust.
Leaders should communicate openly, set clear missions, stay attentive to present challenges and future opportunities, and strive to create a lasting positive impact, much like aiming to be the most trusted and loved financial planning company.
Anil Chopra, Group CEO (Retirement & Wealth), Bajaj Capital
Over the past 41 years, Anil’s leadership at Bajaj Capital has driven nationwide growth, cemented client trust, and fostered a culture of innovation and ethical practices on a benchmark level.
Awards and Recognition:
•Trophy from K.K. Bajaj for completing 40 years with the company.
•Awarded for excellence in client service and financial advisory
•Great Place to Work (5 Times in last 15 years)
•7 Time winner of Best Financial Advisor Award in Retail Category by CNBC TV 18
•ET Best Brand Award in 2023
•Hobbies: Travel, music & reading
•Favorite Cuisine: Thai and Italian (besides Indian)
•Favorite Book:The Fountain-head by Ayn Rand
•Favorite Travel Destination: Europe (especially Spain)
What is the future road map you have envisioned for yourself for the next five years?
We are adopting a phygital approach, combining physical branches with digital platforms to meet diverse client needs. Physical branches remain essential for face to-face interactions, especially for elderly clients, while younger clients under 35 prefer self-service through apps for transactions such as health or travel insurance and mutual funds.
Our focus on retirement planning is central, with a unique process that generates a detailed,16-page, software-driven, custo - mized plan for each client. We aim to provide comprehensive solutions to all clients while maintaining best-in-class service.
Looking ahead, our goals include expanding our mutualfund AUM, making our app category-leading, increasing retirement planning offerings, and preparing for a successful IPO by 2028.
What advice would you give to upcoming financial leaders?
I would advise upcoming leaders to stay focused, grounded, and celebrate small wins. It is crucial to remain compliant and anticipate regulatory changes to stay ahead. Flexibility and understanding of team expectations are essential when managing teams and client relationships must be nurtured through best in-class service and advice to maintain trust.
Leaders should communicate openly, set clear missions, stay attentive to present challenges and future opportunities, and strive to create a lasting positive impact, much like aiming to be the most trusted and loved financial planning company.
Anil Chopra, Group CEO (Retirement & Wealth), Bajaj Capital
Over the past 41 years, Anil’s leadership at Bajaj Capital has driven nationwide growth, cemented client trust, and fostered a culture of innovation and ethical practices on a benchmark level.
Awards and Recognition:
•Trophy from K.K. Bajaj for completing 40 years with the company.
•Awarded for excellence in client service and financial advisory
•Great Place to Work (5 Times in last 15 years)
•7 Time winner of Best Financial Advisor Award in Retail Category by CNBC TV 18
•ET Best Brand Award in 2023
•Hobbies: Travel, music & reading
•Favorite Cuisine: Thai and Italian (besides Indian)
•Favorite Book:The Fountain-head by Ayn Rand
•Favorite Travel Destination: Europe (especially Spain)