Indian REITs Association appoints Shirish Godbole as chairperson

The Indian REITs Association (IRA) has appointed Shirish Godbole, chief executive officer of Knowledge Realty Trust, as its chairperson with immediate effect, marking a leadership transition at a time when India's listed real estate investment trust (REIT) market is expanding and attracting wider investor participation.

Godbole succeeds Alok Aggarwal, who stepped down as chairperson following his retirement as managing director and chief executive officer of Brookfield India Real Estate Trust.

The industry body acknowledged Aggarwal's contribution in steering the association during the formative years of India's REIT sector, helping strengthen investor education, deepen industry engagement and support the growth of the country's listed REIT ecosystem.


“In just a few years, REITs have established themselves as a credible and transparent investment avenue, and the opportunity ahead is even more exciting. As India’s commercial real estate market continues to mature, REITs have the potential to become a mainstream investment product for both domestic and global investors,” Godbole said.

Established in 2023 under the guidance of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Ministry of Finance, the Indian REITs Association is a non-profit industry body focused on promoting the development of India's REIT market.

TheIts members include Brookfield India Real Estate Trust, Embassy Office Parks REIT, Mindspace Business Parks REIT, Nexus Select Trust, Knowledge Realty Trust and Bagmane Prime Office REIT.

Godbole has over 25 years of experience in global real estate investing and finance. Before joining Knowledge Realty Trust, he held senior leadership positions at AEW Capital Management, Morgan Stanley in New York and India, and Goldman Sachs (India) Securities.