Know Your Fund Manager: Rupesh Patel, Senior Fund Manager – Equity Investments, Nippon India Mutual Fund

Let's start with your personal story

I come from a Gujarati family that spent a long time in Haridwar. My father was employed with the Haridwar unit of BHEL, that is where I completed my schooling and spent most of my childhood. I hold a degree in Civil Engineering and an MBA in Finance, both from Sardar Patel University, Gujarat. My professional journey began with the Gujarat State Road Development Corporation (GSRDC), a Gujarat government entity focused on developing road infrastructure projects on a BOT basis. In 2001, I joined Credit Analysis & Research Ltd. (CARE Ratings) in Ahmedabad and later moved to Mumbai in 2004.

How did you land up in this job?

I joined Nippon India Mutual Fund in June 2021 after a more than 12-year stint at Tata Mutual Fund. My role at Nippon MF has been a continuation of my role at Tata MF as Sr Fund manager albeit with relatively larger fund sizes.


Prior to Tata Mutual Fund, I had worked with Indiareit Fund Advisors, where I learnt investing in Real Estate; CARE Ratings, where I learnt credit risk assessment; and GSRDC, where I learnt evaluation and structuring of infrastructure projects.

Looking back, I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunities to work in such diverse segments of the market. These exposures have played a critical role in shaping my investment approach.

Which funds are you currently managing?

I am currently managing Nippon India Growth Fund (AUM* – 35,278 cr) and Nippon India Tax Saver Fund (AUM* 15,199 cr).

*AUMs are as on December 31, 2024

What is your investment philosophy and how will you describe your investment strategy?

My investment philosophy is to predominantly invest in businesses that have compounding characteristics, run by decent management and are efficient users of capital. My belief is good businesses bought at right valuations and held long enough for compounding to play out generally work out well for investors. I also believe that disliked sectors/stocks can be a source of interesting risk reward opportunities for a patient investor. I believe, investing is a game of probabilities where outcomes are dependent on multiple variables, hence, the importance of risk management should never be underestimated.

What gives you the kick while managing other people's money?

I feel very humbled and privileged that so many people have shown their faith in my abilities and entrusted me with their hard earned savings. I believe it is this trust that drives me to give my best every day.