AYU Member Spotlight: Anu Chhabra of RiverRock

Anu Chhabra has been working for RiverRock, an Alternative Credit manager since early 2020. She handles business development across Private credit strategies with a special emphasis on ESG and Sustainability. RiverRock’s vision is to provide capital to SMEs to support their long-term sustainable development and growth across Europe and developing parts of the world. Anu holds an Economics degree and is working towards a CFA ESG qualification.

Hi Anu, what are you working on today?

I’m currently focusing on fundraising for the Supply Chain Impact Fund, which provides capital to SMEs producing Agricultural products and commodities in the developing world, this gap has been created by banks retrenching post GFC and asset managers like RiverRock are trying to fill the trillion dollar financing gap. The fund targets multiple Sustainable development goals to provide equality of opportunity, improve infrastructure, economic growth and responsible consumption.

How did you get to where you are now?

I’ve worked in finance since I graduated with a degree in Economics and have worked for asset management across various strategies over the last decade.

The industry has evolved over time and a financial return is no longer enough to meet a client’s goals, Asset allocators demand their investments make an Impact both from an environmental and a social perspective.

What attracted you to this business?

My interest in Impact Investing and RiverRock’s commitment to providing capital to sustainable businesses was a huge reason why I chose to work for them. RiverRock thinks of ESG implementation both at a firm and a fund level and hence is fully committed to ESG, which aligns our interests.

What has been the most pivotal moment of your career so far?

The most pivotal moments to date has been my involvement in helping set-up a Healthcare strategy focusing on PPE which has been hugely important given the pandemic. The fund provides capital to SMEs working to provide Personal protective equipment to state funded hospitals.

What aspect of our industry excites you the most?

The fact that Impact strategies are making a real-life difference to SMEs expansion and benefitting the economy, infrastructure, work conditions  and the people they employ.

What would you change?

We are certainly heading in the right direction and it seems the pandemic has sped things up quite a lot. I would not necessary change but would like the outcome of ESG initiatives to come to fruition sooner.

What do you invest in personally? 

I’m a big fan of wine investing as you can never go wrong with it. If the investment does not pay off, you can always enjoy a nice glass with friends instead.

Where do you celebrate? 

I like Blue Marlin in Ibiza to let my hair down and listen to music. We’ve all spent a lot of time indoors this year, so the thought of a beach club with a group of friends, music and cocktails sounds like a dream.

What is at the top of your bucket list right now? 

Machu Picchu in Peru and the hike along the Inca trail is certainly high up my list of places to visit.

What does success mean to you?

Raising assets for funding  SME expansion  across the globe would be success for sure.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Have the courage to live a life true to yourself, not the life others expect of you.

Anu Chhabra has been an AYU member since 2019.