Founded in 2002, Client Associates stands as India’s trailblazing and largest multi-family office and private wealth management firm. With a robust footprint across 11 cities—including Gurugram, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Guwahati—the firm manages an impressive $7 billion in assets. It caters to a distinguished clientele of over 1,300 high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), and family offices.
Client Associates delivers a full spectrum of bespoke services. These include private wealth management, estate planning, real estate advisory, investment banking, lending solutions, insurance, and immigration advisory. Over the years, the firm has consistently raised the bar in financial services. It has earned prestigious accolades such as the Best Multi-Family Office by AIWMI and the Best Financial Advisor by CNBC TV-18—an honor it has secured five times.
Driven by a deep commitment to client-centricity, integrity, and innovation, the firm continues to redefine excellence in wealth stewardship. Its mission remains clear: to craft personalized wealth solutions that empower clients across India.
In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World, Garima Gulati Bhutani, Director – HR and Communication at Client Associates, offers a compelling look into the firm’s people-first philosophy. She spotlights the organization’s unwavering focus on fostering a gender-neutral workplace and its initiatives to enhance both the physical and mental well-being of employees. She also elaborates on inclusive policies designed to uplift blue-collar workers and shares transformative success stories from employee loan programs. Moreover, she illustrates how Client Associates aligns its HR practices with broader sustainability goals—bringing purpose and performance into sharp focus.
What follows are the most powerful takeaways from her insightful narrative.
Q: Client Associates has achieved a remarkable 35% female representation in its wealth management division. What specific strategies or policies have driven this success in a traditionally male-dominated industry?
A: At Client Associates, we’ve never viewed gender as a checkbox to tick. Instead, we’ve intentionally cultivated an environment where women don’t just participate—they thrive. The 35% female representation in our wealth management division is a milestone I take immense pride in. But it’s not the number alone that matters—it’s the culture that made it possible.
What distinguishes us is the trust we place in our people. We don’t micromanage. Instead, we empower every individual to own their journey, amplify their strengths, and evolve into roles that unlock their full potential. That autonomy fuels confidence—especially in a sector long defined by hierarchy and rigidity.
Equally important is our commitment to flexibility. We’ve built a workplace that adapts to different life stages, not just with policy, but with genuine empathy. Our maternity benefits go well beyond the norm. With thoughtfully designed leave structures and return-to-work plans, we focus on what a woman actually needs—not just what’s written in a handbook.
Safety and respect are foundational. Our POSH framework isn’t a box-ticking exercise; we implement it with integrity and care. We foster an atmosphere where everyone feels heard, valued, and protected—evident in how we speak, how we listen, and how we stand by one another during difficult moments.
When hiring, we follow a clear principle: merit first. Gender plays no part in our evaluation. We seek individuals who bring passion, expertise, and curiosity to the table—and we’ve ensured our processes reflect that belief.
Our commitment doesn’t stop at the workplace. We carry these values into the communities we touch. A meaningful example is our partnership with iVillage. Every Diwali, we source client gifts crafted by women from iVillage—a small act, yet one that powerfully reinforces our belief that empowerment must go beyond office walls.
This culture didn’t emerge overnight. It’s the result of consistent, intentional choices made every day. While we still have progress to make, I believe we’re firmly—and fearlessly—on the right path.
Q: How has gender diversity at Client Associates contributed to the way your teams engage with clients and approach financial management solutions?
A: One of the most powerful transformations at Client Associates has been the rise in gender diversity—and its profound impact on how we engage with our clients. Today, in many of the families we advise, financial decisions no longer rest with a single individual. Women are not just equal participants; they actively shape investment strategies and drive wealth creation.
When we step into a room, we don’t just address the primary account holder—we connect with the entire family. This inclusive mindset flows naturally from the diversity within our own teams. Because we reflect the clients we serve, we’re better equipped to grasp subtle interpersonal dynamics and decision-making nuances. Men and women often bring distinct perspectives to financial conversations. By integrating both, we craft solutions that are not only balanced but also deeply considered.
This diversity has also sharpened our cultural intelligence. Across India’s vast and varied social landscape—whether within patriarchal traditions or matriarchal systems led by women—we engage with empathy and clarity. Our ability to mirror the households we serve builds trust, fosters comfort, and strengthens long-term relationships.
We’ve also shifted our focus to include the next generation—sons and daughters alike—in long-term portfolio planning and succession discussions. These conversations matter. And because our teams include a range of voices, we’re able to create space for every family member at the table.
At Client Associates, gender diversity isn’t a checkbox—it’s a lens. It shapes how we listen, how we advise, and ultimately, how we serve. It brings us closer to our clients, not just as financial partners, but as trusted confidants on their journey of wealth and legacy.
Q: Can you share some tangible outcomes or feedback from employees on how the pranayam and ergonomics programs have impacted their mental and physical health?
A: When we launched the pranayam and ergonomics programs at Client Associates, our intention was clear—to carve out mindful pauses in the midst of a fast-paced, high-performance culture. What has unfolded since then has been both inspiring and deeply rewarding. These sessions have evolved into more than wellness initiatives. They’ve become shared spaces where colleagues exhale together, recharge, and rediscover a collective sense of calm.
In our demanding roles, prolonged hours at a desk are the norm—and they often come at a physical cost. The ergonomics sessions directly address this. By introducing simple yet effective practices, we’ve helped alleviate everyday discomforts like back pain, neck strain, and wrist fatigue. Even more encouraging, many team members have extended these habits into their home environments. They’ve begun creating ergonomic spaces, adjusting posture, and adopting routines that actively reduce physical stress beyond the workplace.
The pranayam sessions, however, have offered something even more profound. They’ve become quiet gateways to inner clarity—helping us reconnect with our breath, sharpen our focus, and access a stillness we didn’t know we were missing. Techniques like Surya Bhedana and Chandra Bhedana have quietly gained a following. Some of us energize our mornings with Surya Bhedana, while others use Chandra Bhedana to unwind after a long day. Like any lasting habit, the rhythm builds slowly. We don’t expect full attendance overnight—but we continue to invite participation, knowing that sustained well-being grows through consistency, not compulsion.
What’s been most heartening is the openness with which our people have embraced these practices. There’s a noticeable shift in the workday—a certain softness, a subtle grace—when you know it’s okay to take ten minutes to pause, breathe deeply, and reset. Colleagues often share how these sessions have helped lower their stress, improved sleep, and even eased the eye strain of long hours on screen.
At Client Associates, wellness isn’t an initiative—it’s becoming a way of life. We’re weaving it gently, intentionally, into the everyday. And the impact, both physical and emotional, has been quietly transformative.
Q: How does Client Associates foster a sense of dignity, inclusion, and recognition for its blue collar employees beyond financial and medical support?
A: At Client Associates, we don’t believe dignity is something one earns—it’s something every individual deserves, unconditionally. Regardless of role or title, every person who walks through our doors is met with respect, care, and equal regard.
Our commitment to inclusion runs deep, especially for our blue-collar team members. We extend our support far beyond financial assistance or medical benefits. One of the efforts I’m most proud of is our investment in their families—particularly through education. We offer scholarships that support their children all the way through undergraduate studies. A few of these young adults have even returned to CA, not just as interns, but as full-time team members. Watching that full-circle journey unfold has been both moving and meaningful.
We also make it a point to celebrate their presence—not as a formality, but with intention. Through dedicated gatherings and festive events that welcome their families, we create warm spaces where everyone feels acknowledged and valued. These aren’t symbolic gestures. They’re genuine expressions of gratitude, connection, and community.
Importantly, we don’t operate on a dual-track system. Our HR policies apply equally to all, with no divide between designations. Whether someone supports operations or leads a business vertical, they belong to the same ecosystem—and they receive the same respect.
Over time, we’ve witnessed exceptional talent and potential emerge from within our blue-collar teams. We haven’t let that promise go unnoticed. Through cross-training and upskilling, we’ve enabled several to step into white-collar roles. Their growth has been remarkable—not just in their own lives, but in the rich contributions they bring to our broader team.
Their resilience, dedication, and quiet strength have helped shape the soul of our culture. At CA, inclusion isn’t just a principle—it’s a practice. It lives in how we support one another, how we celebrate each other, and how we grow—together.
Q: Could you share a success story or anecdote that illustrates how the interest-free loan program has tangibly improved an employee’s life or family situation?
A: At Client Associates, one initiative I hold especially close to my heart is our interest-free loan program. While it might seem like a simple financial perk on paper, in reality, it has quietly—and profoundly—transformed lives.
One story that stays with me is that of a runner who joined us in a blue-collar role. He was diligent, sincere, and endlessly curious. Over time, he opened up about his dream of continuing his education. With support from our loan program, he enrolled in an MBA course—and completed it. That decision became a turning point, not just for him, but for his entire family.
He grew—first in confidence, then in capability, and soon after, in responsibility. Today, he owns a home in Gurgaon, having moved his family from their village. His children now attend some of Gurugram’s top private schools. There’s a quiet, unmistakable pride in his eyes—one that speaks louder than any formal recognition ever could.
And his story is not an exception.
Across our offices, we’ve seen team members use this program to further their own or their children’s education, to stabilize their lives, and to uplift their families. These transformations go far beyond monthly pay cheques—they reshape futures.
At its core, this program isn’t just about providing loans. It’s about belief. It’s about investing in the potential we recognize in our people—even before they recognize it in themselves.
Q: How do you strategically align your HR practices to promote sustainability across various functions within Client Associates, and what key initiatives reflect this commitment?
A: At Client Associates, we believe sustainability starts not with grand gestures, but with deliberate, mindful actions woven into our daily routines. As someone entrusted with shaping our people practices, I feel a deep responsibility to align HR with values that foster a more humane, intentional way of working.
We champion sustainability as a shared habit—not a one-time initiative. From organizing regular decluttering drives to encouraging responsible waste segregation and the practice of refusal, we’re building a culture rooted in awareness. Saying no to plastic bags, avoiding disposables, and minimizing unnecessary consumption are all part of the ethos we try to embody every day. Personally, I’ve replaced plastic with cloth bags and make it a point to refuse single-use items. These seemingly small shifts, when embraced collectively, ripple outward—creating a larger movement of mindfulness that extends well beyond the workplace.
This mindset transforms how we engage with our spaces and the materials around us. To deepen our impact, we’ve partnered with NGOs that specialize in recycling and repurposing waste, extending awareness from our desks to our homes.
Our collaboration with initiatives like Project Saathi, iVillage, and other sustainable ventures has allowed us to support artisan communities in Rajasthan. These groups craft beautiful, eco-conscious products using natural materials. iVillage, in particular, has been a cherished partner. From elegant paper diaries to foldable cloth totes, our clients have received their creations as festive gifts—each item a reflection of our commitment to sustainability and a circular economy.
Equally important is our culture of care. We host regular donation drives, ensuring that items no longer needed find new purpose in the hands of those who do. Nothing is wasted. Every contribution—no matter how small—adds value and meaning.
Our Admin and HR teams work in close coordination to track resource usage across the office. We prioritize not just efficiency, but intentionality—ensuring every action aligns with our environmental values. At its heart, our approach to sustainability stems from empathy—for the planet, for people, and for future generations. We continue to embed this spirit into everything we do, one conscious step at a time.
