Vinit is the Head of the Private Credit Group at GIC’s London office. He also co-heads the Credit Business Group. The Private Credit Group sits within Private Equity and invests in the debt of private equity-owned businesses. While the team has a global remit, they predominantly invest in the US and Western Europe.
Outside of work, he spends time with his wife and daughter and enjoys playing tennis.
Why did you decide to join GIC?
I started my career in Investment Banking but always wanted to transition into an investing role in the private markets. I was looking to move during the Global Financial Crisis, a point in time when the outlook for many traditional private equity funds was uncertain. During this period, I came across GIC. Through my interviews, I gained conviction that the firm had a strong platform and was poised for continued growth. I was impressed by the scope of the programme and the extent of its ambition. I also liked the people I met during the process – they came across as knowledgeable, competent and fundamentally nice.
What does your typical workday look like?
I split my time between these key activities:
1. Assessing and executing investment opportunities
2. Speaking to other equity and credit investors to drive deal flow
3. Overseeing the portfolio
4. Talking to the team – about near term and medium-term goals
5. Thinking through more strategic topics that could pay dividends over time
6. Engaging with other groups within the firm
There’s a lot to do, but fortunately, we have a very strong team that helps lighten the load.
What do you like most about working here?
We see more deal flow than any of our peers, providing us with a unique advantage. From an origination perspective, the ‘top of the funnel’ at GIC is unparalleled, setting us apart in the industry. Additionally, I believe we have a more purist approach to investing. Our goals are simply to invest in the best ideas at returns we deem to be attractive.
How would you describe the learning & development culture at GIC?
My learning and development journey has been driven by on-the-job experience rather than through traditional structured courses. We work in lean teams which means that we get a broad range of experiences.
What you should know before joining GIC
I genuinely believe there are very few firms that offer the breadth of investing opportunities that GIC does. I think it’s a great place for people with a genuine interest in investing and finance. I’d encourage candidates to 1) remain curious and eager to learn; 2) stay hungry – work hard and not take things for granted; 3) back yourselves – GIC is a firm where we seek out views across levels. So, make the most of what is a relatively flat structure.