Creating Your Own Benchmarks

Amit Kotha, a stalwart banker, set up Beryllus Capital in March 2021 in a joint venture between Focus Financial Partners and the Hinduja Group. Over the past two decades, he has served some of the most prominent families and ultra-high net worth clients advising them on a range of integrated wealth management solutions and corporate matters.

For someone who hasn’t read about you, tell us a little bit about your journey ?

I did my graduation from Shri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi followed by an MBA in Marketing.  My dad was posted in the High Commission of India in London; however, I was reluctant to join my parents here. As luck shall have it, I agreed to visit them for a few months which later on translated to the start of my professional journey in the UK. My first banking job was with ICICI Bank UK which focused on NRI clients and since then there has been no looking back. 

Within a year and continued success, I got headhunted to Citibank as a Relationship Manager. The NRI business at Citibank did exceptionally well and I moved up the ranks within five years to become one of the youngest VPs. 

During the Credit Crisis of 2008, I decided to move on for the right reasons i.e., flight to safety for clients. This led to a new opportunity when I was headhunted to Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). Eventually I ended up being with RBC for 12 years, holding various positions; from Head of NRI to Head of Global South Asia, then Head of Ultra-High Net worth business and finally managing Enterprise Strategic Clients.

In 2021, I started a challenging entrepreneurial journey when I moved to set up Beryllus Capital, a joint venture between the Hinduja group, which is one of the richest families here in the UK and Focus Financial Partners, which is a NASDAQ listed company to set up a multifamily office. We cater to ultra-high net worth clients, providing an open architecture system where we help them navigate financial solutions by being an independent provider and a trusted adviser. 

What were the challenges in these journeys that you faced? And what did you learn from them? 

I love challenges and I believe there’s only one constant in life and that’s change. Coming from a background where my father and grandfather were in government services, to become an entrepreneur, it was a tough and challenging decision. But I took it because I thought that is the right thing to do.  I firmly believe inpassion with purpose, I am very passionate about work, but it’s got to have a purpose attached to it as well. During the course of my career, there have been many ups and downs and I have learnt to have the right attitude to succeed and move ahead.

With all start-ups the initial challenges are always there, but if you have a great team and a strategy which can be executed well, then things will start to fall in place.  

Are there any flagship deals or events you want to call out as one of your favourites?

I have been associated with high profile transactions in both the wealth management and capital market space. However, due to confidentiality I am unable to share specific details. I have been highlighted as one of the top 10 UHNW bankers by Spears500 for many consecutive years. 

Where do you think you’re going to go next? What’s next for your career? 

I founded Beryllus Capital with an intention of making it as one of the largest global multifamily offices in the world. It’s full of challenges but I always like to aim high, and create my own benchmarks and then leaving the rest to hard work and destiny.

What advice do you have budding professionals in our community?

For me discipline is one of the key drivers for success. I have always believed in being punctual in everything I do, be it personal or professional. I would encourage youngsters to always keep pushing their own boundaries, it takes time, effort, and patience for people to become successful. There are many deviations that the next generation faces i.e., peer pressure, stress relating to grades, friends etc. However, my advice would be to stay focused and believe in yourself.