Waterfield Advisors Company Profile

Background

Waterfield Advisors, established in 2011, is India's leading independent multi-family office and wealth advisory firm. The company is dedicated to providing unbiased, holistic financial advice to ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), family-owned businesses, trusts, and corporate clients. With a commitment to trust, integrity, and transparency, Waterfield Advisors has pioneered the concept of fee-only investment advisory in India, ensuring that client interests remain paramount.

Key Strategic Focus

Waterfield Advisors specializes in:

Family Office Advisory: Comprehensive services including succession planning, corporate and family governance, business strategy, and philanthropy.

Wealth Management: Tailored investment strategies across asset classes, ensuring alignment with clients' financial goals and risk profiles.

Corporate Financial Planning: Strategic financial solutions for corporate clients, encompassing capital structuring and investment planning.

Alternative Asset Management: Access to high-performing private companies and top-quartile private equity and venture capital funds.

The firm's open architecture platform allows clients to explore a wide range of investment options without conflicts of interest, emphasizing data-driven decision-making and hyper-personalization.

Financials and Funding

Waterfield Advisors has successfully secured funding to support its growth and expansion:

Series A (December 2019): Raised $5.98 million.

Series B (February 2022): Completed a later-stage venture capital round.

Private Equity Growth (June 2024): Engaged in a growth/expansion funding round.

Notable investors include RAAY Global Investments, TVS Capital, and individual investors such as Gaurav Dalmia and Lakshmi Narayanan.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Waterfield Advisors leverages advanced technology to enhance client services:

Data-Driven Analytics: Utilizes deep data analytics to inform investment strategies and filter out low-yield options.

Technology-Led Operations: Incorporates digital transformation and automation, employing disruptive technologies and AI innovations for efficient and accurate client service.

Open Architecture: Provides clients with the flexibility to explore and analyze a broad spectrum of investment options without conflicts of interest.

Leadership Team

Soumya Rajan: Founder and CEO. With over 25 years in private banking and wealth advisory, she established Waterfield Advisors in 2011. Previously, she led Standard Chartered Bank's Private Banking division in India. Soumya holds a Master's in Mathematics from Oxford University and a B.A. (Hons) in Mathematics from St. Stephen's College, Delhi.

S R Iyer: Chairman. Former Managing Director of the State Bank of India and the first Executive Chairman of CIBIL. He serves on several Indian company boards as an Independent Director.

Sanjay Teli: Director. Founder and Managing Director of the ESP Group, with a decade-long association with the HDFC group, Sterling group, and Eureka Forbes.

Amit Patni: Director. Promoter shareholder of Patni Computers and Co-founder of RAAY Investments, Nirvana Venture Advisors, Elysium Investment Advisors, and The Hive-India.

Arihant Patni: Director. Promoter shareholder of Patni Computers and Managing Director of Patni Financial Advisors. Co-founder of Nirvana Venture Advisors and The Hive-India.

Peter Flavel: Director. Former CEO of Coutts in the UK, with over 30 years in financial services across multiple regions. Previously CEO of JP Morgan Private Wealth Management for Asia Pacific.

Thomas Barry: Director. President and CEO of Zephyr Management, L.P., and former President and CEO of Rockefeller & Co. Holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and an undergraduate degree from Yale University.

Mukund Rajan: Director. Chairman of ECube Investment Advisors Limited and former Brand Custodian and Chief Ethics Officer of the Tata Group. Alumnus of IIT Delhi and Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford.

Ramesh Ramakrishnan: Director. Chairman of Transworld Group with over 30 years in shipping and allied industries. Recipient of multiple leadership awards, including "Marine Personality of the Year" in 2011.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics: The wealth management industry in India is experiencing significant growth, driven by an increasing number of UHNWIs and a demand for personalized financial services. The market is characterized by a shift towards independent advisory firms that prioritize client interests over product sales.

Competitor Analysis:

Sanctum Wealth: Founded in 2016 in Mumbai, Sanctum Wealth offers services similar to Waterfield Advisors, focusing on investment banking and securities. It has a team size comparable to Waterfield Advisors and has raised $21.7 million in funding.

Wodehouse Capital: Established in 2010 in Mumbai, Wodehouse Capital provides wealth management services, competing in the same sector as Waterfield Advisors. It generates slightly less revenue than Waterfield Advisors.

Priwexus: Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Mumbai, Priwexus offers investment banking and securities services, with a smaller team compared to Waterfield Advisors.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Waterfield Advisors has established significant collaborations to enhance its market position and service offerings:

RAAY Global Investments: A family office that has invested in Waterfield Advisors, providing strategic support and capital.

TVS Capital: A growth and expansion investor, contributing to Waterfield's funding rounds and supporting its growth initiatives.

Operational Insights

Waterfield Advisors differentiates itself through:

Client-Centric Approach: Emphasizing unbiased, fee-only advisory services that align with client interests.

Technological Integration: Utilizing advanced analytics and technology to provide real-time insights and personalized investment strategies.

Comprehensive Service Offering: Providing a holistic suite of services, including investment advisory, fiduciary services, analytics, and trusted insights.