'Digital convenience has led to trigger-happy decisions'

Model-driven vs human-led portfolios?

Currently, we employ analytical models to manage hybrid funds that track relative valuations across asset classes. Beyond this, we use analytical models and tools for portfolio performance attribution and to derive inputs for balanced portfolio construction.

Technology will aid efficiency, productivity and decision making, but stock selection and alpha generation will remain human-led. We do not manage any quant or model-led funds otherwise and expect this to remain the case over the next two years.

Your first fund and trust playbook?

Unlike many new AMCs that emerge from familiar conglomerates, WhiteOak is a purely professional fund management firm, managing money for sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, university endowments and also mutual funds in the USA, Europe and Asia.

Since our brand was relatively less known domestically, we put the entire platform in place at once. We have launched a full range of about 17 funds across equity, hybrid, debt and select thematic strategies in the first two years of our journey.

This was backed by a robust team: 50 people in investments, 110 in distribution and

65 in service across 50 locations across India, in addition to our PMS (portfolio management services), AIF (alternative investment funds) and GIFT City offerings.

Starting this year, you will see each of our funds completing a three-year track record in quick succession. Our differentiation will come from our strong research team and consistency of performance, which has already been widely acknowledged and is manifested in the growth of our investor base as well as asset under management (AUM).

On low-friction investing and investor churn.

Digital convenience has led to some trigger-happy decision-making. While active equity and hybrid (ex-arbitrage) fund AUM stands at Rs 41 lakh crore, the annual gross purchase and redemption volume is around Rs 13–14 lakh crore.

Rapid-fire questions

• One AMC you admire (not yours): ICICI Prudential AMC.
• One hot trend you’re glad to have skipped for your investors: Launching factor-based funds and launching themes/sectors that have already run up.
• Beyond returns, one criterion you want investors to judge your AMC on: Consistency.
• If not running an AMC, what would you be doing? Journalism, consultancy, teaching.

This article was originally published on October 27, 2025.