Unitus Capital, a financial advisory firm offering services to microfinance institutions (MFIs) and social enterprises, has announced two executive level hires. The firm has roped in former Morgan Stanley India head Narayan Ramachandran as co-chairman and former UBS executive Terry Alan Farris as chief executive officer, said a company statement.
Unitus Capital offers capital market solutions to the Indian microfinance industry. Both Ramachandran and Farris will lead the firrm’s expansion into new product and service areas to establish a strong foothold in the asia pacific region.
Kylie Charlton, managing director, Unitus Capital, said in the statement, “The combined experience of Narayan and Terry will help us expand our service and product offerings to increase participation of social impact investors in businesses that are driving social change in the region.”
Ramachandran has over 20 years of experience in investment activities in the emerging markets.
He recently invested in Bangalore-based MFI Janalakshmi Financial Services in his personal capacity and also joined its board. Ramachandran was most recently the CEO and country head of Morgan Stanley India. Prior to that, he held several other senior posts with Morgan Stanley Investment Management, including the head of Morgan Stanley’s Global Emerging Markets and Asset Allocation businesses. He has a keen interest in using market-based mechanisms to alleviate poverty, in areas such as micro-finance, social venture capital, micro-insurance and affordable housing.
Farris, on the other hand, also has over 20 years of experience in managing and advising privately held companies, multinationals, family offices and individual entrepreneurs globally. Prior to joining Unitus, he was the head of philanthropy services for the Asia Pacific region at UBS, and was based in Singapore. Previously, he was the head of philanthropy services for Asia Pacific at MeesPierson (presently Fortis MeesPierson).
Unitus Capital specialises in arranging capital for social enterprises benefiting those at the bottom of the economic pyramid. The firm has operations in Bangalore, Hong Kong, London and Sydney.
