India’s wealth is growing faster than ever but managing and preserving that wealth is becoming equally complex. With AI reshaping advisory, private markets gaining ground and the next generation preparing to take the reins, the wealth management industry is at an inflection point.

The 11th India Wealth Management Conference (IWMC), recently hosted by the Indian Association of Investment Professionals (CFA Society India), in collaboration with CFA Institute in Mumbai, explored these changes and what they mean for the future of wealth stewardship.

The conference, themed “Built To Last: From Builders to Stewards”, brought together a diverse group comprising leading investment professionals, wealth managers, family-office leaders, policymakers, thought leaders and industry experts from across the investment and wealth management ecosystem to discuss what it takes to build wealth that lasts. The conference shaped discussions around the future of wealth management and examined how wealth managers, advisors and investors can navigate the rapidly changing landscape while building stronger foundations for generations to come.

The conference featured insightful discussions, expert-led workshops, actionable strategies and unparalleled networking opportunities. Industry experts shared interesting perspectives and takeaways on a diverse range of themes from AI in wealth management and portfolio construction to private credit, long-term equity investing, family offices, global wealth management and even sports as an emerging asset class.

Shamit Chokshi, Director & Chairperson – PL, CFA Society India, Founder and Director, Aumori Capital Advisors (OPC) Private Limited, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the industry’s shift from simply growing wealth to preserving and transferring it across generations. He also discussed the growing demand for holistic wealth management, the rise of alternative investments and the need for advisors to embrace AI and global investing.

Arati Porwal, Senior Country Head – India at CFA Institute, delivered opening remarks. She emphasised, “As wealth management evolves, the role of wealth advisors goes beyond creating wealth. It is to help clients preserve it, make informed decisions and achieve their long-term aspirations.”

She highlighted the scale of the impending intergenerational wealth transfer, citing CFA Institute’s NextGen Investors report, which found that over 95% of young Indian investors surveyed expected to inherit wealth, while 85% anticipated receiving their inheritance within the next decade. She noted that despite their comfort with technology and digital platforms, young investors continue to value human advisors who can help them navigate uncertainty and stay focused on long-term financial goals.

The event then moved into a series of insightful sessions covering a range of themes. The first session focused on “Private Credit: Beyond Theory – It’s Not Fixed Income, But It Can Get Un-Fixed”, led by Kapil Singhal, True North Co and moderated by Jayen Shah, Mavuca Capital Advisors Pvt. Ltd. The session explored everything from credit structuring and performance to risk, distribution and the realities of private lending, offering a closer look at the evolving private credit landscape. The discussion highlighted that the global private credit and Indian institutions operate in very different environments, so their risks, opportunities and approaches cannot be directly compared.

This was followed by an engaging and thought-provoking discussion on the topic, “From Passion to Portfolio: Can Sport Become an Asset Class for Indian HNIs”, led by Mustafa Ghouse, Centre Court Capital and moderated by Dev Bajaj, Consumer-Focused VC Firm, where they gave an insider’s view of the sports business and its potential as an investment opportunity for Indian HNIs. The discussion pointed out how sports and gaming are transitioning from an emotional passion play into a sophisticated, yield-bearing alternative asset class.

The next session, titled “The Art of Angel Investing”, was led by Rajesh Sawhney, GSF Accelerator and moderated by Namit Arora, CFA Society India. The speakers brought the world of angel investing to life through experiences, lessons and stories from their own investing journey. The conversation focused heavily on the underlying psychology of investing, emphasising that true angel investing requires immense patience, conviction, and trust in a founder’s ability to persevere.

The event then moved to the next session on “Rethinking Family Wealth: What Matters to India’s Family Offices”, which was led by Harsh Dhanuka, SAR Group Family Office, Aditya Somani, Somani Family Office, Sujay Kotak, RJ Corp and moderated by Rajendra Kalur, CFA Society India. The session gave a glimpse into how Indian family offices are approaching wealth, helping simplify the complexities of taking Indian wealth global.

Then followed another insightful session on “Global Wealth Management for Indian Families: Navigating India’s Foreign Exchange Framework” led by Moin Ladha, Khaitan & Co and moderated by Ashish Kela, CFA Society India. The session explored India’s foreign exchange framework and its implications for global wealth management. Experts discussed the growing complexities of managing wealth across borders, including overseas investments, changing residential status and foreign assets. It also addressed cross-border succession planning and the financial considerations involved in transferring wealth to the next generation. The panellists also shared real-life stories of how Indian investors are navigating cross-border investments amid global uncertainty and the regulatory pathways available to them.

The last session delved into another interesting theme, “The Global Wealth Playbook: Investing in an Era of Change”. The session moderated by Sumiit Lakhutia, Network 18 included esteemed panellists Shaily Gang, Standard Chartered Bank, Abhay Laijawala, India Lighthouse Canton, Ashwin Patni, Julius Baer India and Harsh Agarwal, LGT Wealth India . The panel discussed how portfolios are evolving amid shifting macroeconomic conditions and changing market dynamics. It also explored approaches to navigating global markets, making informed international asset-allocation decisions and evaluating performance and outlook for gold, amongst other themes.

The 11th India Wealth Management Conference brought industry leaders together to examine the forces reshaping the sector, exchange insights on emerging opportunities and address the challenges ahead, underscoring the importance of forward-looking strategies in navigating India’s increasingly sophisticated wealth management landscape.

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