Vishal Bhatia has been appointed Head of Alternatives and Strategic Partnerships at Cognit Capital (DIFC) Limited in Dubai.
In his new position, Bhatia is focused on alternatives and strategic partnerships at Cognit Capital. His stated areas of focus also include wealth management, lending and credit-related solutions.
Vishal Bhatia brings wealth management experience
Bhatia brings more than 16 years of experience across investments, credit and financial services. His professional focus has included lending and leverage solutions, credit risk management, structuring and mortgage solutions.
He has also worked across wealth products and processes. His experience covers mutual funds, lending solutions, structured products, derivatives, equities and fixed income.
Before joining Cognit Capital, Bhatia spent 15 years and 11 months with Standard Chartered Bank. He most recently served as Regional Head, Wealth Management Lending and Mortgage Solutions, UAE and AME/E. He held that position from March 2023 to September 2026.
Previously, Bhatia was Director, Wealth Management Lending and Leverage Solutions, Africa and Middle East, from April 2019 to March 2023. Before that, he served as Associate Director, Wealth Management Lending, Middle East, from November 2014 to March 2019.
Cognit Capital leadership role follows regional experience
Earlier in his Standard Chartered career, Bhatia served as Manager, Wealth Management and Priority Banking Re-engineering, Middle East. He held the role from November 2010 to October 2014 in Dubai.
His responsibilities included wealth business process re-engineering and work on wealth lending processes. He also worked with technology, operational risk and local stakeholders on standardised processes across the Middle East.
Bhatia began his career with Citibank as Assistant Manager, Business Strategy and Controls. He held the position from April 2009 to October 2010.
Before Citibank, he worked at TCS e-Serve International as Assistant Manager, Business Development and Transitions. He held that position from May 2007 to January 2009 in Mumbai.
Academic background
Bhatia holds a Post Graduate Programme in International Business from Symbiosis International University, completed between 2005 and 2007. He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Banking and Finance from Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce.
He has also completed CFA Institute Level 1 and holds a Certified Scrum Product Owner certification from Scrum Alliance.
Bhatia’s appointment adds his experience across wealth management lending, credit, structuring and financial products to his new leadership role at Cognit Capital in Dubai.
