Motilal Oswal Private Equity, which focuses on the mid-market space, on Tuesday announced the appointment of Bharat Kedia as its chief operating officer (COO).
In a statement, the PE arm of broking major Motilal Oswal Financial Services said the hire was made to supplement operational efficiencies in its private equity as well as real estate businesses.
Kedia has more than 25 years of experience in the corporate sector. He served as chief financial officer at Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd for less than a year before resigning in April.
A chartered accountant, Kedia has also worked with organisations such as Parag Milk Foods, Publicis Groupe India, Coca Cola HBC SA, United Beverages, BDH Industries and Kansai Nerolac Paints.
“He has joined us at very exciting times when we are in the midst of raising our fourth real estate fund,†said Vishal Tulsyan, managing director and chief executive of Motilal Oswal Private Equity.
The firm is currently investing out of its Rs 2,000 crore third PE fund. The sector-agnostic fund was launched about a year ago and marked its third close at Rs 1,714 crore ($252 million).
It typically invests Rs 100-300 crore across sectors.
VCCircle recently reported that the fund was in advanced talks to invest in an auto components firm in a transaction that could be in the ballpark of Rs 200 crore (nearly $30 million). If sealed, the deal would mark Motilal Oswal Private Equity’s biggest investment so far.
The PE firm has been steadily exiting several of its investments from its previous two funds. In November, the firm logged out completely from its nearly decade-old investment in contract electronics manufacturer Dixon Technologies (India) Ltd, marking one of its most profitable exits.