Akshaya Bhargava

In spring 2007, 3i invested in two financial services outsourcing companies, KNEIP and Fulcrum, and appointed Akshaya Bhargava to board-level roles in both businesses.  This was the outcome of a systematic process that scoured the market for opportunities to match Akshaya’s exceptional abilities.

When Akshaya joined 3i as a Senior Adviser in 2006, he’d already established a highly-successful track record. After 22 years with Citigroup, undertaking a variety of leadership roles in Asia and Europe, he joined Indian giant Infosys to establish its Business Process Outsourcing subsidiary. The success of the enterprise is reflected in the rapid growth of its workforce, which rose from 28 to 7,500 in just four years.

Akshaya’s experience made him a natural choice as founder and Chairman of PBS, a 3i outsourcing company. At the same time, he worked closely with senior 3i investor Bruce Keith, analysing the market to identify investment opportunities where Akshaya’s skills could make a real contribution.

This systematic approach led to the investments in KNEIP, which transmits information for the funds industry, and Fulcrum, a leading independent hedge fund administrator. Akshaya is now the CEO of Fulcrum.

Akshaya found 3i’s proactive approach highly attractive: “What I particularly liked was the fact that 3i appeared very committed to the relationship, and was prepared to invest money ahead of an immediate return. Rather than some private equity houses, who might say ‘We’ll call you if we find an investment that needs your skills’, 3i has a mature and well thought-out model, and actually spends time with its Senior Advisers, working together to identify investment opportunities.”

For experienced business leaders thinking of working with private equity, Akshaya has some simple advice: “3i has to have a need for whatever skills you have to offer. If you can match their need with your appetite for risk, you have a winning combination.”