Mumbai, June 12, 2025 – In a major development for India’s financial services sector, Jio BlackRock Asset Management is reportedly set to appoint Rishi Kohli as the Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of its mutual-fund division, according to people familiar with the matter.

The appointment comes shortly after the Mukesh Ambani-led Jio Financial Services Ltd. and BlackRock Inc. joint venture received regulatory approval to launch its mutual-fund operations in India.

Kohli’s Role and Expected Start

Rishi Kohli is likely to join in the third quarter of this year, the sources said, requesting anonymity as the information is not public yet. While the appointment has not been officially finalised, insiders confirm that Kohli is the top choice for the CIO position.

As CIO, he will oversee investment strategy, portfolio management, and guide the launch of various schemes under Jio BlackRock's newly-approved mutual fund business.

Rishi Kohli’s Professional Background

Rishi Kohli has a strong track record in fund management, having served most recently as the Managing Partner and CIO for Hedge Fund Strategies at InCred Capital, a Mumbai-based financial services firm.

Prior to that, Kohli held key investment roles at:

• Avendus Capital, a prominent financial advisory firm

• ProAlpha Capital, a boutique asset management company

According to his LinkedIn profile, he has significant expertise in quantitative strategies, hedge funds, and alternative investments, positioning him well for a leadership role at Jio BlackRock.

Jio BlackRock’s Strategy in India

BlackRock Inc., the world’s largest asset manager, had exited India in 2018 after ending its joint venture with DSP Group. However, it made a re-entry in 2023, joining forces with Jio Financial Services, a Reliance Group entity, to form Jio BlackRock Asset Management.

The equal joint venture was officially granted approval by SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) last month to launch mutual fund schemes, marking BlackRock’s renewed push into India’s booming retail investment market.

The JV is expected to focus on:

• Digital-first distribution channels

• Retail mutual fund investors

• Tech-enabled investment platforms

No Official Comments Yet

As of publishing, Rishi Kohli has not responded to phone calls or messages seeking comment. Representatives from Jio Financial Services and InCred Capital also declined to comment on the matter.

While the final appointment is pending confirmation, market watchers see this as a strategic move by Jio BlackRock to strengthen its leadership bench ahead of its fund launches later this year.

Disclosure Note

This article is published by Moneycontrol, which is part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.

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