Nitish is a Vice President in the Infrastructure department, where he invests in developing and strengthening a country’s infrastructure to create a positive impact on its societies and communities.
Outside of work, Nitish is passionate about football, but has taken a break to focus on recovery after surgery. In the meantime, he has started going for long walks and practicing his swings at the golf driving range. He also plans to pick up cricket again after a 15-year hiatus to slowly build up his strength to play football again. He believes that he is most effective and at his best when he is physically active and engaged in sports.
Why did you decide to join GIC?
Prior to GIC, I worked as an investment banker. While I enjoyed my job, I felt that the culture did not promote overall well-being to help build a happy, long-term career. Coming from a humble background and a small town in India, I have witnessed first-hand the benefits of economic development. I was looking for a career that provided a sense of responsibility and served a greater purpose.
When I walked into GIC’s London office for the first time during my interview, I was greeted with a warm smile from the receptionist, and then had one of the most honest discussions with the business heads. Everyone I interacted with, regardless of their titles, was humble, polite, warm, and approachable. In the Infrastructure department, each investment would make a huge difference in the lives of many. From then, I was convinced that GIC was the place for me to grow and develop my career.
What does your typical workday look like?
I usually start my morning by spending time with my son, before going through various news apps and responding to emails. A typical day involves reviewing and analysing investment opportunities, and working on deal-related matters with counterparties and advisors. On days I am in the office, I try to catch up with different colleagues over lunch. We spend a significant proportion of our lives working, therefore it is imperative that my work family and culture is one that I look forward to every day.
When I work from home, I make time to eat lunch with my wife. I try to take a 30 to an hour break in the late afternoon to go to the gym. My five-minute breaks between phone calls and intense screen time are supplemented with a healthy dose of hug time with my son.
What do you like most about working here?
I enjoy sourcing and executing complex deals. All of these require a great deal of resilience, creative thinking, and strong collaboration from various internal teams and external advisors. I have learnt more from each deal than from any college or life course I have ever taken.
GIC understands the importance of diversity and inclusion in order to remain a leading long-term investor. The firm upholds its PRIME (Prudence, Respect, Integrity, Merit and Excellence) values to the core, and people succeed purely on their merit and excellence.
Almost everyone I have worked with or interacted with in the organisation has proven to be more than just a colleague you meet, email, or call. There is a strong connection, which is difficult to cultivate in any organisation, let alone one as large as ours. I believe this is primarily due to the examples set by our seniors, ranging from group leadership taking time to speak with individuals while treating them as peers,regional presidents instilling cross-team collaboration, todepartments’ chief investment officers and heads carrying themselves as individuals rather than a hierarchical figurehead.
How would you describe the learning & development culture at GIC?
As one of the most active investors, the level of exposure to companies, management teams, and counterparties; the scale of opportunity; and individual responsibility of small deal teams making hundreds of millions of dollars in investment recommendations, has been unparalleled. With each deal I work on, I learn something new and feel strongly supported by my team.
What you should know before joining GIC
Do some self-reflection and learn what you are most passionate about. Carry your own unique energy, which will be far more valuable than any other skill.