Leaders List interview: 60 seconds with Rajat Sharma, VAR Capital

Date: 23 Oct 2024

Karen Jones

This week’s 60-second piece is dedicated to Rajat Sharma, co-founder of VAR Capital.

Tell me about your role

I am the CIO of VAR Capital, a multi-family office located in London. As the CIO, I am responsible for the investment aspect of the company. Additionally, I take part in the management of our key clients, working closely with my team to ensure their satisfaction.

What does a typical day look like for you?

My job is very diverse and as a result, each day can be completely different. Typically, I begin my day by reviewing the financial markets and then checking my emails. Throughout the day, I attend several meetings with clients, colleagues, and business partners. I also read a lot of research about the equities and bonds that we own or are considering owning. I have lunch with my co-founders most days, during which we discuss outstanding issues and topics related to the company. In addition to my role as co-founder, I am also a member of the board for several other ventures. Some days, I attend board meetings or meet with colleagues from other companies where I have invested.

Tell us about interesting client instructions.

Given the close contact we have with our clients, I had my share of interesting client instructions. Recently, we had a client wanting to hire a private jet to get to the European Championship Final in Berlin. I do not know too much about the hiring of private jets so I had some of my colleagues, including the co-founder of VAR Capital, Vikash Gupta, to help me. 

What challenges do your clients face and how are you helping your clients to overcome them?

Even though the financial markets and economies are somewhat resilient for now, this has definitely been an eventful year. Unprecedented geopolitical situations in Europe and the Middle East, uncertainty surrounding interest rates and the run-up to the US election continue to make things interesting. It is our role to help them beyond their day-to-day worries and show them the reasons why they should think and invest for the long run whilst taking into account different scenarios. 

What is your proudest professional achievement?

As a start-up wealth manager, it was initially difficult to make our mark in an industry with established players. However, during a period of struggle, we were incredibly proud to receive awards from Euromoney and Citywealth.

What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a leader?

When I think of a leader I think of attributes including empathy, self-awareness, integrity and resilience. 

Who do you most admire and why?

One individual I really admire is Elon Musk. Most well known entrepreneurs have one great business idea and that is it. Elon Musk has managed to grow multiple businesses into multinational successes which I find extremely impressive as someone who has invested in multiple companies. Also, because of him I might be living on Mars in 20 years which is quite cool. 

Where was the last place you travelled to for work or pleasure?

Recently I have travelled to the US visiting different cities including New York and Washington with my family. Although I did have to get used to the tipping culture after living in London for so long, I do really think the UK could take something from the optimism and vibrancy of the US. 

If you weren’t in this industry, what else might you be doing?

I have always enjoyed numbers so I think something engineering or maths related. Potentially I could have been a professor in one of these areas.

How do you relax after a long day?

I usually unwind by spending time with my family and watching a box set paired with a nice glass of wine. We also regularly eat dinner as a family which really helps me to switch off after a long day at work.