The Fly’ING’ Dutchman

IIPM is A World of Career

It’s time to take India to the world; and ING Investment knows it.

VINEET K. VOHRA, MD & CEO OF ING INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT (INDIA)

In the Hollywood blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean, the ‘Flying Dutchman’ was a fictional ghost ship which could never sink and was destined to sail forever. Cut to the real world, there is a Dutch company which seems to have been blessed accordingly, destined to sail forever in the rough financial oceans; just like the Flying Dutchman – ING Investment Management (India) Pvt. Ltd.. Today, ING has expanded its arms to 50 countries and on the Indian soil; it is recognised as one of the most trustworthy investment management companies. And the credit for this goes to the captain of this Indian safari. Yes, this Dutch ship has found a deft captain to spearhead its Indian venture in the form of Vineet K. Vohra, its MD & CEO. Creating a trust level and sustaining it in investment & banking market is not easy. But this company has been sustaining its goodwill since 1999 and cashing in on this trustworthiness, ING Investment Management – the flagship company from the ING Group, has become one of the country’s fastest growing fund houses. Today with 40 branches and as many as 100,000 clients in the country, the company has the widest reach among private sector mutual fund players.

An MBA degree holder from IIM(C) and a qualified CFA, Vineet fitted the bill perfectly. He is also a mechanical engineer by education and prior to joining ING, he’d worked with Citibank, across Asia. Setting the ball rolling from day one at ING, he’s currently on a roll to introduce innovative investment modes for Indians and even take them to the huge global investment market.

He unleashed the ING Global Real Estate Fund on November 19, 2007, which is an open-ended fund scheme and furnishes accessibility to Indian customers towards reaching the global market. And just as fortune favours the brave, for Vineet too the story was no different with his home soil brimming with promises of colossal returns; and reasons enough to pay heed to investing opportunities in the global market, as he asserts, “India has gone global in every aspect, then why not in financial investments? Real estate risk in many countries is less than in India and we’re helping people manage their financial assets with lower risks by taking Indian investors to global markets.”

Surely, global diversification is a term unknown to many Indian investors who want to enjoy the fruits of rich returns at comparatively lower risks. So how does he actually succeed to bring in the differentiating factor in the face of all and one in the financial sector claiming the same and with the customers flooded with varied investment options, besides the promise of ‘geographical’ diversification? Ask him that and pat comes the reply, “Most Indian consumers prefer investing in low-risk bonds. But they give you only 5% return! So what we give them is higher returns at the same levels of risks, which like our other offerings will spread your investments in the widest possible modes. For instance, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) is a new concept in India but at the same time it’s very lucrative investment globally. So 55% of our portfolio is loaded with REITs. It’s rich returns guaranteed! And that is a differentiator alright.”


Today, the company has 40 branches, which no other asset management company has managed so far. Even when you talk about the leadership model he follows, the answer is not too hard to guess – participative leadership. Yes, his management model is not based on the keystone of dictatorship or authoritarian leadership as he explains, “If you take all decisions by your own, you can’t come out with any better option. So I encourage my people to contribute in all the activities of management decision-making. We believe in team work and we always motivate freshers to take risks. I think this also helps to create future managers....” When asked about the youthfulness in his organisation, he has another line to add, ‘The secrets of success lies in believing that you can do it and then step out there to take any risk. Most of our team members are between 28 to early 30s and I simply keep on repeating this mantra to them.”

Although he finds it very difficult to give time to his family, he manages it really well. Maintaining a balance in his personal and professional life, Vineet believes that, “you need to draw a line in both your professional and personal world. Everything has to have a limit and it becomes necessary to have a sound sleep every night. I think an adequate sleep helps you to keep fit and to perform in both the worlds....”

So what next? “We have long lasting stable plans in India as 44% of our investment is in Asia and India holds a key position in Asia. There is no subprime and it’s the right time to invest in India,” replies the promising leader. As we bid him good bye, like the perfect industry expert, he gave us a piece of wisdom, “invest for a better future.” Sure thing, Captain! We’re willing to jump onto the Flying Dutchman, for we know that its captain will only fill our pockets with double digit profits.


Edit bureau: Angshuman Paul

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

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