Kalpana Desai

Kalpana Desai is an experienced financial executive who currently serves as an independent non-executive director at Janus Henderson. Prior to their current role, Desai served as a non-executive director at Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. from January 2014 to December 2019. During their time at Canaccord Genuity Group, Desai was also the head of M&A Asia-Pacific and a senior managing director of investment banking.

Prior to Canaccord Genuity Group, Desai worked at Macquarie Group from January 2009 to December 2013, where they served as the chief executive of Macquarie Capital Asia, investment banking, and private equity. Before Macquarie Group, Desai worked at Bank of America Merrill Lynch from January 1997 to December 2009, where they were the head of M&A Asia-Pacific and a senior managing director of investment banking.

Desai began their financial career at Barclays Corporate & Investment Bank in 1994, where they worked as a director of investment banking until 1997. Kalpana then moved to Schroders in 1991, where they worked as an associate of investment banking until 1994.

In 1988, Desai started their career in financial services consultancy at PwC, where they worked as a manager until 1991.

Kalpana Desai went to The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) for their BSc in Economics. Afterward, they got their Executive Education Director Program from Harvard Business School. Lastly, they got their certification from ICAEW in Chartered Accountant from the Institute of England and Wales.