Mumbai: SBI Life Insurance has elevated Abhijit Gulanikar to the role of President – Operations and IT, strengthening its leadership team as the insurer continues to advance its digital transformation and operational excellence initiatives.
In his new role, Gulanikar will oversee the company’s operations and technology functions, with a focus on enhancing customer experience through digital innovation, process optimisation, and the adoption of advanced technologies. He will play a key role in supporting SBI Life’s long-term growth strategy by driving operational efficiency and technology-led transformation.
Gulanikar brings more than three decades of experience spanning insurance, investments, corporate finance, and business strategy. During his 17-year association with SBI Life Insurance, he has held several strategic leadership positions and has contributed significantly to the company’s growth and transformation journey.
Most recently, he served as Chief Strategy Officer and President – Business Strategy, where he led the development of SBI Life’s multi-channel distribution strategy across bancassurance, retail agency, corporate agency, and digital channels. He also played a pivotal role in driving business transformation and change management initiatives across the organisation.
Earlier, as Chief Investment Officer, Gulanikar managed an investment portfolio of over US$10 billion, overseeing investments across fixed income, equities, and alternative asset classes. Before joining SBI Life, he served as Vice President – Investments at Bharti AXA Life Insurance and Bajaj General Insurance, where he helped establish investment and financial processes during the companies’ expansion phases.
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He began his professional career with ICICI Ltd., working in asset-liability management, and later held a corporate finance role at Bajaj Auto Ltd., building a strong foundation in financial strategy and investment management.
The leadership elevation reflects SBI Life’s continued focus on strengthening its technology and operations capabilities as the insurer accelerates digital adoption, enhances customer-centric services, and builds a future-ready business aligned with the evolving needs of India’s insurance sector.
