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(Credit: PARIMA)
Introduction of Profile:
When Abhijeet Mhatre began his career as a software developer, he never imagined that a few lines of insurance-related code would set him on an entirely new path. Today, as General Manager at Reliance Infrastructure, he stands at the forefront of corporate insurance.
A Career Sparked by Curiosity
Abhijeet’s professional journey began in a place far removed from the boardrooms of insurance strategy — writing software code for the insurance industry. “I started in IT like many engineering graduates,” he says. “But the fact that I was developing software for insurance companies made me curious about the business behind the code.”
That curiosity eventually became a calling. Instead of pursuing a traditional IT career path or opting for traditional Master of Business Administration (MBA) like Finance, Operations or IT, Abhijeet decided to specialise with an MBA in Insurance & Risk Management. During his MBA at National Insurance Academy, he also earned a fellowship from the Insurance Institute of India.
“I realised I was more interested in understanding how insurance worked than continuing as a software developer or business analyst,” he reflects.
His Calling in Corporate Insurance
His entry into the insurance industry began at SBI Life Insurance, where he worked as a management trainee in New Business & underwriting where he worked on various initiative in digital transformation. But it wasn’t long before he found himself drawn to the corporate side. He later joined Kalpataru Group as an assistant manager. “It was a junior role,” he recalls, “but it sparked a real interest in pursuing a long-term career in corporate insurance.”
Rising Through Risk Ranks
Abhijeet further went on to lead the insurance function at Vector Green Energy, a renewable energy company, before taking up his current role at Reliance Infrastructure.
“Each move wasn’t just about stepping up –– it was about expanding my exposure to different industries and risk landscapes.”
Throughout his journey, Abhijeet has made continuous learning a priority. “I believe learning should never stop.”
During his span at leading corporate insurance, he completed leadership program from Indian Institute of Management – Ahmedabad and also earned Chartered Status (Chartered Insurance Risk Manager) from Chartered Insurance Institute London.
Not Just Buying Insurance but Selling Risk Profile
Abhijeet is quick to challenge a widespread misconception. “People often assume risk managers are buyers. In fact, it is the other way round. We sell our organisation’s risk profile to insurers, and the better we “tell” that story, the better the coverage and pricing we can achieve.”
Making Risk Tangible
Another key moment in his career came during his tenure as corporate lead in companies he worked in, where inconsistencies in claim settlements were common. “I noticed that many losses weren’t being paid consistently. Hence, I aligned those costs with existing police add-ons and drafted a few Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) that illustrated how losses should be calculated.”
This proactive move not only reduced disputes with insurers and surveyors — it built confidence within all stakeholders. “When you can prevent arguments and delays in a claim, the business sees real value in what you do.”
Mondays with Meaning
Now eight years into corporate insurance, Abhijeet’s enthusiasm remains undiminished. “People talk about Monday blues or needing Monday motivation. I’ve never had that,” he says with a smile. “Every Monday is exciting for me. That’s how I know I’m in the right field.”
Abhijeet’s typical working day starts at 9:00AM with the morning papers. “I look for risks, signals, anything that could impact our exposure,” he says. From there, it’s followed by meetings, claims reviews, renewals and stakeholder discussions.
“It is challenging every day, with new risk emerging and new challenges, and that’s what makes it fun.”
What Keeps Abhijeet Up at Night
When asked about the biggest risks facing India today, Abhijeet mentioned Legal and Regulatory Risk, and the practical challenges of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“You can’t eliminate risk completely, but you can respond better every day by learning from past losses and preparing thoughtfully.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of Risk Management
Abhijeet sees a promising shift in the industry. “Ten years ago, only large corporates had insurance teams. Today, even mid-sized firms are hiring specialists. That change is driven by experience — especially bad claims experiences and that results in lack of trust within insurance ecosystem and its stakeholders.”
But he believes the next leap will come from integration. “Insurance teams can only do so much on their own. We need to work closely with dedicated risk teams, with operations, with finance. Only then can we fully prepare for the unexpected.”
His advice to the next generation of risk professionals is clear: “Don’t stop learning. Understand your business. And build strong, transparent relationships — because in this field, trust is everything.”
