Amitabh Kant Joins Fairfax Financial As Senior Advisor 

The company, in an official release, said, “He [Kant] has enjoyed a distinguished career spanning over four decades in public service and has a proven track record of driving transformative initiatives across India. His extensive expertise in economic development, innovation, and sustainable growth is expected to significantly benefit Fairfax’s long-term investment approach in India, and the industry insights and leadership experience he brings to Fairfax will help Fairfax continue identifying and executing on opportunities within the region."

Before resigning from government service, Kant had been the G20 Sherpa, Niti Aayog CEO, Secretary to the Department for Industrial Policy and Promotion, etc. 

Noting that the company was excited to welcome Kant, Prem Watsa, Chairman and CEO, said, “Amitabh has outstanding experience in many of the key areas that India intends to grow significantly in the coming years, but what we really value is his high integrity and alignment with the values of Fairfax. We look forward to working with him to further enhance Fairfax’s long-term objectives, delivering lasting value for our investors and stakeholders, while upholding our core values of honesty, transparency, and entrepreneurial spirit.”

Fairfax is a holding company, which, through its subsidiaries, is primarily engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, and associated investment management.

In addition to his contribution to public service, Kant has a proven track record of driving transformative initiatives across India, the company said, while maintaining that it looks for his potential in its investments in India.

“Kant’s extensive expertise in economic development, innovation, and sustainable growth is expected to significantly benefit Fairfax’s long-term investment approach in India, and the industry insights and leadership experience he brings to Fairfax will help it to continue identifying and executing on opportunities within the region,” the company said, adding that it “expects many opportunities for it and its affiliates, including Fairfax India Holdings Corporation” in India’s journey towards ‘Viksit Bharat’.

Fairfax and Fairfax India are already investors in sectors critical to this transformation, including infrastructure, urbanisation, financial services, logistics, mobility, and growth.

The company also noted that it would leverage “Kant’s extensive experience in spearheading large-scale development initiatives spanning digital infrastructure, urban renewal, industrial reforms, and tourism”.