New Delhi: Religare Finvest Limited (RFL), a Small and Micro Enterprises (SME)-focused NBFC, has announced the appointment of Karthik Srinivasan as its Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership move as the company prepares for its next phase of growth.
A seasoned business leader with over three decades of experience across banking, financial services, and large-scale operations, Srinivasan brings deep strategic expertise and execution capabilities to the role.
As Chief Executive Officer, he will be responsible for formulating and executing RFL’s strategy to build a scaled, multi-line NBFC. His mandate includes expanding a phygital distribution network, strengthening risk management and credit delivery, and leveraging advanced technologies, including AI tools, across business functions. He will also focus on building a high-performing organisation and fostering a culture capable of sustaining long-term growth across credit cycles.
Arjun Lamba, Executive Director, Religare Enterprises Limited, said, “We are delighted to welcome Karthik Srinivasan as Chief Executive Officer of Religare Finvest Limited. We believe that his deep domain expertise and proven leadership will play a pivotal role in scaling the business in its next phase of growth. With the strength of Religare’s capital foundation and the long-term backing of the Burman family, we are well positioned to expand our presence in the SME lending space. Karthik’s balanced approach to strategy, execution, and team leadership will be instrumental in unlocking this potential and driving the next chapter of growth for Religare Finvest Limited.”
Prior to joining Religare Finvest, Srinivasan spent the last decade at HDB Financial Services, where he played a key role in building and scaling consumer finance and asset finance portfolios across products such as consumer loans, two-wheeler and auto loans, as well as commercial vehicle and tractor financing. He was also instrumental in driving digital transformation initiatives within the organisation.
His career includes leadership roles at Intelenet Global Services / Serco, where he managed global operations, as well as experience across leading Indian and international banking and financial services institutions. Earlier in his career, he also set up and nurtured entrepreneurial ventures in the education and technology sectors.
Speaking on joining Religare Finvest, Karthik Srinivasan, Chief Executive Officer, Religare Finvest Limited, said, “I am delighted to join Religare Finvest at a time when the organisation is poised for its next phase of evolution. My focus will be on strengthening core business fundamentals, investing in people and capabilities, and building a resilient institution that can sustain long-term growth. I look forward to collaborating with the team to shape a meaningful and enduring impact.”
Srinivasan holds a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) in Accounting and Finance from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Bangalore.
The appointment comes at a pivotal juncture for Religare Finvest. Following the Reserve Bank of India’s removal of Corrective Action Plan (CAP) restrictions last year, the company is now fully positioned to resume and scale its lending operations. Additionally, the removal of the fraud tag has helped restore institutional credibility and creditor confidence.
Commenting on the appointment, Indranil Choudhury, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Religare Enterprises Limited, said, “Karthik brings a combination of strategic clarity and execution excellence, honed over decades of leading complex, large-scale businesses. His ability to build resilient organisations, navigate change, and drive sustainable growth aligns strongly with Religare Finvest’s ambitions. We are pleased to welcome him to the Group and look forward to the depth of leadership he brings to this next phase.”
With a cash reserve of approximately ₹400 crore, Religare Finvest is well-capitalised to accelerate lending, deploy credit at scale, and build a resilient portfolio, signalling a decisive step forward in its growth journey.
