Mr. Sandeep Asthana - Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

Mr. Sandeep Asthana

B.Tech, Chemical Engineering, 1990

Mr. Sandeep Asthana is currently the Country Head – India, Sun Life Financial.

Mr. Asthana got his B. Tech. in Chemical Engineering from IIT Bombay in 1990 and his MBA from IIM Lucknow in 1993.

Mr. Asthana has over 30 years of diverse experience in financial services. He started his career with Unit Trust of India in 1993 and was closely involved with its plans for entry into the domains of life insurance and pensions. In 2000 he joined Zurich Financial Services and headed the team that planned their entry into the financial services in India. In 2003 he joined RGA Re, a leading US-based life and health reinsurer, where he set up their business in India to make RGA a leading life reinsurance player in India. In his current role, Mr. Asthana manages Sun Life’s Financial’s interest in its two joint ventures in India – Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance Co. Ltd. and Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Ltd. He is also on the Board of the two companies.

Mr. Asthana is delighted to receive the DSA from his alma mater as it is his first major award!

Speaking about his memories associated with the Institute he says, “Monsoons in IIT Bombay were and are still magical. IIT Bombay got me so comfortable with slippers and chappals that shoes are a burden!”

He is passionate about photography.

Motivation towards contribution to IIT Bombay

“It was the reconnect with the Institute during the Silver Jubilee Reunion (SJRU) that triggered a desire to give back to the Institute. I was part of the team that organised the SJRU for our class of 1990. That triggered a sequence of events and emotions. We raised $1 million for the Institute, which was the highest by any batch until then. And then got involved in identifying the projects to utilise these funds, and executing the same. This also led to a lot of discussions on how the Institute raises funds, and how it invests the same. One thing led to another and soon I was in discussions with the Dean on how IITB could better manage its funds and improve its investment returns. I was also given the honour of joining the Finance Committee. The Institute has finally hired an experienced investment advisory firm which will help add Rs. 10 Cr to the Institute kitty each year.”