ASK Long Short Fund Managers Pvt Ltd

Piyush joined the ASK Group in September 2023 as CIO & Fund Manager, Hedge Fund Solutions, to build and lead the Alternate Investment platform. In his current role, he is responsible for defining the firm’s investment style and strategy, managing multiple alternate offerings including the flagship India Long-Short Strategy, and providing overall oversight of the investment team and business operations. His key responsibilities encompass sourcing, managing, and monitoring investments, formulating investment policies, and collaborating with the fund management team to optimize investment performance. With over 25 years of experience in the Indian equity markets and a strong background in the financial services industry, Piyush is recognized for his deep expertise in derivatives, fundamental analysis, and risk management. His disciplined, process-oriented investment approach has consistently delivered superior risk-adjusted returns across varied market cycles. Piyush began his career with DSP Merrill Lynch in 1996, where he played a key role in the equity broking division and was instrumental in setting up the Derivatives and Structured Products desk. His exceptional understanding of investing and hedging strategies led him to manage Merrill Lynch’s proprietary India book, overseeing assets under management (AUM) of approximately USD 1 billion. In 2008, Piyush joined Ambit Private Ltd., where he managed the proprietary trading business and was instrumental in launching one of India’s first Long-Short Funds for public investors under SEBI’s Category III AIF framework. Under his leadership, the team made a significant mark in the Indian hedge fund industry by growing one of the largest onshore hedge funds to an AUM of ₹1,200 crore. During his tenure at Avendus from 2016 to 2023, Piyush played a pivotal role in scaling the business, building a high-performing team, and expanding product offerings. Under his leadership, Avendus achieved a peak AUM of ₹7,000 crore, reflecting his strategic vision, leadership, and ability to drive innovation in the investment management space. Piyush holds a degree in Financial Management from the University of Mumbai.

Vaibhav joined the ASK Group in August 2023 as Managing Director & CEO, Hedge Fund Solutions, with the mandate to build and lead the Alternate Investment platform. In his role, he oversees the firm’s alternate investment offerings, including the flagship India Long-Short Strategy, while providing strategic direction and complete oversight of the investment team and business operations. Before joining ASK, Vaibhav was associated with Avendus Capital Public Markets Alternate Strategies LLP, where he managed multiple alternate investment strategies with a cumulative AUM of approximately USD 1 billion. Prior to that, he worked with DSP Merrill Lynch, where he played a pivotal role in establishing and expanding the proprietary trading business for alternatives. He began his career with HDFC Bank, advising clients in private banking before transitioning to the proprietary trading desk as a trader. A recognized voice in the alternate investment space, Vaibhav is a regular speaker at industry forums and actively contributes to the development of India’s hedge fund ecosystem through media interactions and investor engagements. Vaibhav holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree from the University of Mumbai and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.