Avendus Capital, a leading financial services firm, headquartered in Mumbai, today announced the appointment of Mr. R S Sharma, former CMD ONGC, to its Board of Directors.

R S Sharma is the former Chairman and Managing Director of India’s premier national oil company- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC). He was also concurrently the Chairman of ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL), Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) and five other ONGC Group companies during 56 month period May-06 to Jan-11.

Welcoming Mr. Sharma on board, Ranu Vohra, CEO and Managing Director, Avendus Capital said, “We are honoured to have Mr.Sharma on our board. He led ONGC and group companies to commendable heights of corporate excellence. His deep knowledge of the global economy and business, as well as unique experience as the CEO of one of India’s leading enterprise, will be of immense value to Avendus.”

Mr.Sharma said, “I am delighted to join the Avendus board. The young and professional team of Avendus has built a formidable practice in cross-border M&A in a short span of time and are now building repute in the equity markets, institutional equities, alternate asset management and wealth management space. I look forward to applying my experience and skills to help the firm continue its rapid rise and international expansion.”

With deals worth US $ 2.2 bn closed in 2011, Avendus Capital is the leading Indian financial services firm by a number of deals (Source: Bloomberg M&A league tables 2011).

R S Sharma currently holds various honorary positions like Chairperson- Quality Review Board- Institute of Cost Accountants of India, Chairman Hydrocarbon Committee- FICCI, Member National Council AIMA and Member- Search Committee- Competition Commission Of India . Mr. Sharma was also conferred with several prestigious awards such as, CNBC TV18 CFO Award in 2005, 2006 and 2007; Amity Corporate Leadership Award in 2009; CII Outstanding performance Award in 2010; ICONOCLAST CEO Award in 2010 and Star Lifetime Achievement Award for HR Leadership in February 2011

About Avendus Capital

Avendus Capital is a leading financial services firm which provides customised solutions in the areas of financial advisory, equity capital markets and wealth management. The firm relies on its extensive track record, in-depth domain understanding and knowledge of the economic and regulatory environment, to offer research-based solutions to its clients that include institutional investors, corporates and high net worth families. In recent years, Avendus Capital has consistently been ranked among the top-five corporate finance advisors in India and has emerged as the advisor of choice for cross-border M&A deals and has closed 35 cross-border transactions in the past 4 years. Avendus Securities through its Institutional Equities practice is able to offer best-in-class research-driven advice to help its clients take investment decisions, while Avendus PE Investment Advisors manages funds raised from its investors by investing in public markets and private equity. Headquartered in Mumbai, the firm has offices in New Delhi and Bangalore. Avendus Capital, Inc (US) and Avendus Capital (UK) Pvt. Ltd. located in New York and London respectively are wholly owned subsidiaries offering M&A and Private Equity syndication services to clients in the respective regions.

For more information, please visit www.avendus.com