Association of Investment Bankers of India (AIBI) appoints Mr. Mahavir Lunawat of Pantomath Capital as Chairman

by Priya Jadhav

Mr. Mahavir Lunawat, presently the Director of AIBI, will be succeeding Mr. Anay Khare of Axis Capital as Chairman, AIBI

New Delhi, September 8, 2023: Association of Investment Bankers of India (AIBI), the investment bankers’ sole representative body to SEBI and various statutory authorities, announced the appointment of Mr. Mahavir Lunawat, Managing Director of Pantomath Capital Advisors Pvt Ltd. as its Chairman for two years starting September 2023. The Chairperson of AIBI represents Investment Bankers on the Primary Market Advisory Committee (PMAC) of SEBI, and has been active in representing the members’ views, comments, and suggestions on various regulatory reforms pertaining to the capital markets. 

AIBI also announced the appointment of Mr. Arjun Mehra, MD of J.M. Financial, and Mr. Prem D’Cunha, SVP & Head – ECM Execution at ICICI Securities as its Vice Chairmen. These appointments were made at the AIBI’s Board Meeting held on September 5, 2023.  

Mr. Mahavir Lunawat is an industry veteran with over 20 years of experience across the country’s foremost business houses and as the Founder and Group Managing Director of Pantomath Capital Advisors Pvt. Ltd. He has led some of the key M&As, corporate restructuring projects and has lead managed more than 100 IPOs.  

In the recent past, Mr. Lunawat had held various other thought leadership roles like Director, TiE Mumbai, member of the Capital Market Committee of PHD Chamber and member of the Kotak Committee on Corporate Governance. Currently, Mr. Lunawat represents AIBI on SEBI Alternate Investment Policy Advisory Committee (AIPAC). Furthermore, Mr. Lunawat is also a visiting faculty member for some of India’s prestigious institutions and has regularly published articles.  

Newly elected Chairman, Mr. Mahavir Lunawat of Pantomath Capital Advisors, said, “In this rapidly evolving industry, it is imperative that we continue to advocate the orderly growth of capital market, keep interest of investment bankers aligned and promote best practices via strategic measures. I am thankful to AIBI’s vote of confidence in appointing me as the Chairman. This position gives me an opportunity to foster an ecosystem of building innovation via growth achieved within the AIBI framework. I am truly honoured to serve as the Chairman of AIBI and look forward to working collaboratively to drive the Association’s mission forward.”  

Adding to it, Mr. Prithvi Haldea, Founder-Chairman, Prime Database, who has been an Honorary Advisor to AIBI for over a decade, said, “AIBI is the thought leader and a nodal point for assimilation and dissemination of information relating to the investment banking industry. AIBI ensures that our members are abreast with the latest regulations/guidelines issued by various statutory authorities, as also other matters of interest. The association also plays a pivotal role in recommending dynamic changes to the regulatory bodies. Over the past decade, the investment banker landscape has evolved along with the scope of work, and Mr. Lunawat’s experience across the value chain will give a renewed direction to the association and the marketplace.” 

Mr. Arjun Mehra has 15+ years of experience in the investment banking industry with expertise in execution in of both capital markets and M&A transactions. Over the years, Arjun has been actively involved in various consultations with regulators, including amendments to the SEBI ICDR Regulations, updations to the Delisting Regulations, introduction of the framework on Schemes of Arrangement and Offer for Sale (OFS) through stock exchange mechanism, introduction of the stock exchange mechanism for settlement of tender offers etc. Arjun is a Master in Business and a Master of Science in International Finance.

Mr. Prem D’Cunha is the SVP & Head – ECM execution at ICICI Securities Limited. He has over 20+ years of experience in investment banking and capital markets in India.  Mr. Prem D’Cunha has been involved in various consultations with the regulators on offers for sale, stock exchange mechanism, framing public offer guidelines for NCDs and InvITs, and introduction of stock exchange mechanism for settlement of open offers, buybacks etc. Prem is a commerce graduate and Master of Financial Management from the Mumbai University.  

Association of Investment Bankers of India (AIBI) -  http://www.aibi.org.in/index.asp