Ashish Kakar

Dr. Ashish Kakar is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in the banking and insurance sectors. Currently serving as the Director (Research) at Asia Financial Insights, he leads financial services research, focusing on areas like AI, risk management, and SME lending. Dr. Kakar holds doctorates from Durham University and emlyon Business School, with his research recognised for its excellence, earning him the Best Doctoral Thesis Award.
 

Before his current role, he was the founder of BigdataInvestor.com, where he led the company’s strategic growth and innovation in fintech. His efforts in driving business value and securing funding through machine learning algorithms helped the company gain recognition in Hong Kong and the UK.
 

With over 16 years at Citi, Dr. Kakar led transformation initiatives that resulted in significant cost reductions and operational efficiencies. He managed large teams and oversaw major projects in Asia, including redesigning customer journeys and driving digital banking initiatives. His leadership led to improvements in fraud prevention and customer service, as well as notable cost savings.
 

Dr. Kakar has a strong academic background, with an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore and certifications from institutions like Stanford and the University of Texas. His expertise spans AI, data analytics, financial crime investigations, and digital strategies, which he has applied across diverse industries and markets in Asia.

As a thought leader, Dr. Kakar has published numerous articles on venture capital funding, smart cities, and AI startups, including contributions to Channel News Asia and the House of Lords. His leadership and vision have consistently driven innovation and efficiency across organisations, positioning him as a key figure in the finance and technology sectors.

Dr. Ashish Kakar has had a distinguished career spanning over two decades in the financial services and technology sectors. His early education led him to pursue an MBA from the prestigious Indian Institute of Management Bangalore in 1999, focusing on systems and finance. This marked the beginning of his long journey in shaping the financial industry and exploring technology-driven business solutions.
 

In 2001, Dr. Kakar joined AIG in Mumbai as a Workflow Manager, where he was part of the start-up team responsible for introducing operational processes and opening new offices. This experience gave him a solid foundation in process optimisation and project planning, skills that would serve him well throughout his career.
 

Dr. Kakar moved to New York Life Insurance Company in 2003, where he became Head of Operations. Based in New Delhi, he oversaw rural and social operations, expanding the company’s infrastructure by setting up 14 new service premises. He played a significant role in business development, particularly in creating and managing new business teams.
 

In 2005, Dr. Kakar joined Citi as a Vice President, where he focused on operational readiness and technology platforms. Over the next seven years, he worked in various senior roles, including Senior Vice President, where he contributed to cost reductions and the launch of new technology platforms for credit card approvals, merchant business, and dispute resolution. He also helped centralise operations across multiple regions, streamlining processes to improve efficiency.
 

From 2012 to 2021, Dr. Kakar worked as a Senior Vice President at Citi, where he led transformative initiatives. Notably, he engineered a $115 million net cost reduction, oversaw a $571 million budget, and led a team of 13,000 employees. His leadership in redesigning customer journeys with a digital-first approach resulted in a 25% reduction in manual processes.
 

In 2021, Dr. Kakar founded BigdataInvestor.com, a fintech venture based in Singapore. There, he spearheaded the company’s growth by securing a $50K startup grant and developing an algorithmic investment strategy. He also partnered with UK Research & Innovation and led a portfolio of investments in pre-seed startups.

Dr. Kakar has worked extensively with financial institutions, focusing on risk management, AI integration, and digital transformation. He has published articles on venture capital funding and AI startups, including work featured in Channel News Asia and the House of Lords.
 

Dr. Kakar’s academic achievements include a Doctorate in Business Administration from Durham University and emlyon Business School, where he earned an award for Best Doctoral Thesis. He has also contributed to multiple publications, such as the report Smart Cities – A Social Contract, which was launched in the House of Lords. His recent research focuses on venture capital funding efficiencies and the implications of AI in financial services.
 

Currently, Dr. Kakar is working as the Director (Research) at Asia Financial Insights, leading research initiatives that focus on financial technology adoption, risk management, and AI integration across Asia and India. He continues to engage in thought leadership activities, including contributing to industry podcasts and discussions on technology's role in reshaping financial services. His work remains a significant influence in the integration of technology in the financial sector.

Dr. Ashish Kakar envisions a future where technology, particularly AI and data analytics, transforms the financial services industry, making it more efficient, accessible, and resilient. He believes in the power of innovation to drive positive change, particularly in emerging markets across Asia. His goal is to help organisations adopt cutting-edge technologies to optimise their operations, manage risks effectively, and deliver better services to customers. By integrating AI, he aims to bridge the gap between traditional banking systems and the evolving digital landscape, ultimately enhancing both business growth and customer experience.

Dr. Kakar has received several awards for his contributions to the financial and tech industries. His most notable achievement is winning the Best Doctoral Thesis Award from Durham University in 2024, where he was recognised for his work on AI in venture capital funding. In 2023, he received a special award from IDC Asia/Pacific for his leadership and strategic impact in the region. Additionally, his innovative work at Citi earned him the Power of One award in 2016. Dr. Kakar has also been featured in major publications, including Channel News Asia.