About Abizer

about Abizer
Abizer

Abizer Diwanji


A rank-holder Chartered Accountant from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and graduated from Sydenham College, Mumbai University. Abizer Diwanji has spent over three decades navigating the intersection of Finance, Leadership, Regulation, Investment Banking, and Governance. He’s been a Partner at KPMG and EY where helped set up the DueDiligence, Financial Services and Restructuring business. He has also had hands on operating experience as COO of SBUT and head of Treasury Operations at ANZ Grindlays Bank, Middle East. He has now incorporated NeoStrat Advisors to leverage this 35 year experience. All through his career the basic principle has been to leverage Ideas for Value. Hence, NeoStrat.

Career Timeline


NeoStrat Advisors LLC (2024–Present)

  • Founder of a commercial counsel firm specializing in advisory, equity-led growth, dispute resolution, and capital structure–based transactions.
  • Partners with industry experts to leverage ideas into value for all stakeholders.

EY India (2013–2024)

  • Head of Financial Services & Restructuring; built a 2,500+ member practice over 13 years.
  • Led major transformations in the financial services sector and served on various regulatory committees.
  • Directed significant M&A deals and capacity-building initiatives.
  • Regrouped and scaled EY's Restructuring and Turnaround business, achieving marquee resolutions.
  • Key contributor to the creation of India's Bad Bank (NARCL) and the SHASHAKT report for distressed asset resolution.
  • Leveraged EY's clients and teams to turn ideas into value.

SBUT – Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust (2011–2013)

  • COO of India's largest inner-city redevelopment project.
  • Oversaw community relocation, land acquisition, and stakeholder management.
  • Directed significant M&A deals and capacity-building initiatives.
  • Gained transformative experience working with lower strata communities and diverse stakeholders beyond the corporate sector.
  • Helped implement the Syedna’s vision to create value for the community.

KPMG India and overseas (1993–2011)

  • Joined KPMG in 1993 after completing CA training at Arthur Andersen.
  • Arthur Andersen instilled work ethic and interpersonal skills; KPMG became the foundation for professional diversity.
  • Spent 17 years at KPMG, gaining end-to-end experience—from audit to co-founding Transaction Services to Investment Banking.
  • Built a strong reputation in the Financial Services sector with KPMG as a key enabler.
  • KPMG fostered his ability to ideate and create value through strategic thinking.
  • Learned how effective leaders build teams, drive stakeholder value, and nurture future leaders.
  • As Partner, led critical audits, capital structure deals, and cross-border acquisitions.
  • Part of KPMG India’s first-ever audit: ANZ Grindlays Bank.
  • Middle East stints with KPMG and ANZ Grindlays shaped his belief in trust and cultural and leverage trusted relationships to create value.

ANZ Grindlays, Arthur Andersen, Coopers NZ (1988–1993)

  • Early career in the Middle East, New Zealand, and India in financial audit and special situations.
  • Developed a professional foundation through work at Coopers & Lybrand, Auckland, immediately after university-gaining independence and cultural exposure.
  • Built rigor, accuracy, and communication skills at Arthur Andersen.

Leadership & Committee Involvement


Course Director:
Graduate Insolvency Program (IICA)
Member:
BFSI committees of Bombay Chamber & Assocham, ARCON

Our Team


Ronit Shailesh Merani
Ronit Shailesh Merani
Analyst
Ronit is a detail-oriented and motivated finance professional pursuing the CFA designation with a strong foundation in Accounting and Finance. He brings hands-on experience in financial modeling, equity research, and sectoral analysis through his certification from LeapUp Edutech. At NeoStrat Advisors, Ronit supports the team in valuation analysis, investment banking , and research-driven insights. Known for his structured thinking, leadership in event teams, and adaptability, he brings energy and discipline to every assignment.
Bharti Chenna
Bharti Chenna
Executive Assistant
With over a decade of experience at the Saifee Burhani Upliftment Trust, Bharati Chenna brings operational expertise and precision to the NeoStrat team. Known for her strong document management skills and seamless coordination of internal workflows, she has played a key role in improving data handling systems and streamlining communication across departments. Her proficiency in software tools, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to manage complex documentation processes make her an essential part of the operational backbone at NeoStrat.
Harsh Banka
Harsh Banka
Associate
Harsh brings a strong research background, having built a portfolio analysis framework covering data ingestion, performance metrics, risk analysis, asset allocation, and factor exposure. He developed a stress-testing model and automated data scraping to identify risk scenarios and P&L drivers. With experience managing 15 client portfolios and past roles at Chicago Global and Qantart, Harsh will be the analytical backbone at NeoStrat.