For years, private equity firms have been playing a major role in the Indian real estate space as banks have started tightening the screws. Global major Morgan Stanley is no different and actively participates in the Indian real estate growth story through Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing (MSREI), the firm’s global real estate investment management arm.
To strengthen its Indian team, MSREI recently appointed Shirish B Godbole as India Head of MSREI. Based in Mumbai, Godbole replaced Naresh Naik, former CEO who stepped out in November last year.
Since 2006, MSREI has invested in several leading property companies such as Oberoi Realty, Panchshil Realty, Mantri Developers, and other companies in the hospitality and project management sectors.
The appointment marks the return of Godbole to Morgan Stanley. He first joined the firm in 1994 in the Securitized Products group in New York, moving to London in 2000 as Chief Financial Officer of MSREI Europe. In 2004, he became co-head of the firm’s commercial real estate finance business in Europe. He joined Goldman Sachs’ Real Estate Principal Investments group when he returned to India in 2007.
Morgan Stanley has invested approximately $750 million in Indian real estate since 2006. MSREI is reportedly eyeing investment worth $200 million in central Mumbai land owned by domestic textile firm Alok Industries and $125 million in Sheth Developers' residential project in Mumbai.
Godbole holds a Masters degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University in the United States.
