GPC Consolidates India Leadership Amid Strategic Impact Investing Push

MUMBAI, India – May 21, 2026 – UK-based private equity firm Greater Pacific Capital (GPC) has announced a significant leadership consolidation in its India operations, appointing 15-year veteran Nandan Desai as the sole head of its India business. The move comes as Akshaya Prasad, who served as Co-Head of India alongside Desai since 2022, steps down to pursue an entrepreneurial venture.

This strategic transition places a seasoned hand at the helm as the firm sharpens its focus on impact-driven investments in India’s booming economy. Desai will also join GPC’s senior leadership team, which includes Co-Founders Ketan Patel and Joe Sealy, and Christian Hansmeyer. In a concurrent move signaling internal growth, the firm promoted Aditya Ajit, who has been with GPC since 2017, to Vice President.

A Strategic Shift in a Surging Market

The leadership change is not merely a personnel shuffle but a calculated move to streamline decision-making and double down on a successful investment strategy. Desai has been instrumental in steering GPC’s recent high-profile investments into some of India's most dynamic sectors. His portfolio of led deals includes Muthoot Microfin, a key player in financial inclusion; NxtWave Disruptive Technologies, a fast-growing ed-tech platform; and Kinetic Green Energy and Power Solutions, a prominent electric vehicle manufacturer.

This transition reinforces GPC's bullish outlook on the subcontinent. Ketan Patel, Co-Founder and CEO of GPC, underscored this sentiment, stating, "India's economy is growing in ways that are promising in a challenging time. We see the need for clean energy, growth and prosperity as key themes that our impact-driven investment approach is well-positioned to address."

The timing aligns perfectly with a resurgent Indian private equity landscape. After a period of contraction, PE-VC investments in India rebounded by approximately 9% in 2024 to reach nearly $43 billion, making it the second-largest funding destination in the Asia-Pacific region. This momentum has been fueled by a surge in domestic fundraising, with local firms like Kedaara and ChrysCapital closing record-breaking funds. With a market shifting towards larger, more selective deals, having a single, decisive leader like Desai is a distinct advantage.

Desai himself has signaled a forward-looking, aggressive strategy. "Our portfolio companies are well-positioned to create significant value and our team is focused on strategies to support that," he commented. "Looking forward, we continue to see a strong pipeline of opportunities and will mobilise to fundraise to invest in India's economy as it scales to upper middle-income levels."

Investing in India's Core Growth Engines

GPC’s investment philosophy marries financial returns with measurable social and environmental benefits, a strategy that resonates deeply with the current needs of the Indian market. The firm’s focus on themes like Financial Inclusion, Global Energy Transition, and Digital Innovation is clearly reflected in the companies Desai has championed.

The investment in Kinetic Green is a prime example. GPC acquired a 12% stake in the EV company in August 2024 for $25 million, backing its ambitious plan to become a top-five player in the electric two- and three-wheeler segments. This move taps into India’s burgeoning EV market, which is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 19% through 2032, heavily supported by government initiatives like the PM E-DRIVE scheme. Kinetic Green is targeting a revenue of Rs 900 crore in FY25, a threefold increase from the previous year, demonstrating the high-growth potential GPC is backing.

Similarly, the firm’s stake in Muthoot Microfin addresses the critical theme of Financial Inclusion. With a formal credit gap of over $350 billion for India’s 63 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the microfinance industry is a vital engine for grassroots prosperity. GPC’s investment places it at the heart of a sector that has grown 25% over the last five years.

In the ed-tech space, the investment in NxtWave positions GPC within a sector poised for a significant comeback. While the industry faced a funding crunch in 2024, it is projected to grow into a $50 billion market by 2035, driven by a demand for skill-based, AI-powered learning. GPC's focus on a company providing disruptive upskilling aligns with the market's shift towards sustainable, career-focused educational models.

A New Chapter for Departing Leadership

The transition also marks a new chapter for Akshaya Prasad, who is departing to launch his own entrepreneurial initiative. His background is formidable, having previously headed infrastructure investing for Goldman Sachs in both London and Mumbai, where he was instrumental in managing a $6.5 billion infrastructure fund. While details of his new venture remain private, his expertise suggests a high-caliber project likely focused on large-scale investment or infrastructure.

Prasad’s decision to remain as an advisor to GPC underscores an amicable and supportive transition, a hallmark of mature firms navigating leadership evolution. This trend of senior private equity professionals leveraging their experience to launch their own ventures is becoming increasingly common, contributing to a more dynamic and innovative financial ecosystem.

Under Nandan Desai’s unified leadership, Greater Pacific Capital is poised to deepen its commitment to India. By consolidating its command structure and reaffirming its impact-driven thesis, the firm is strategically positioned to not only capitalize on the country's unprecedented economic growth but also to actively shape its sustainable development for years to come.