Meet the Team

With a combined experience of over 85 years in investment banking, corporate finance, private equity, and strategic advisory, VA Advisory brings deep industry expertise and extensive global network.

Vatsala Arunachalam

  • Vatsala Arunachalam is a Chartered Accountant, investment banker, investor, consultant, and entrepreneur with over 20 years of expertise in structuring capital solutions across dynamic and sustainable industries.

    Her background includes key leadership roles with a prominent single-family office in Malaysia, where she led investment strategies, gaining first-hand experience in wealth management and capital deployment. With a deep understanding of global capital markets, she has built strong relationships with institutional investors, private equity firms, and family offices, enabling businesses to scale efficiently and maximize value.

  • Capital Raised

    • USD 10 million raised for a U.S.-based mobile voting technology company.

    • USD 15 million term sheet secured (debt + equity) for a Vietnamese pharmaceutical retail firm.

    Fundraising Mandates

    • Data Centre: USD 1 billion project in Malaysia backed by a global PE Fund.

    • Renewable Energy: USD 120 million Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) project in Malaysia.

    • Industrial Infrastructure: USD 200 million multi-zone industrial complex.

    • Luxury Real Estate:

      • USD 400 million luxury hotel and villa development on Crete Island, Greece.

      • USD 35 million luxury beachfront villa project in Bali.

      • Institutional buy-side mandate for 4-5 star hotels in European gateway cities.

    • Aquaculture: USD 174 million Atlantic Salmon land-farming project in Thailand.

    Capital Markets & M&A

    • Block trade (ASX-listed BPO firm): AUD 365 million, 3.5x ROI.

    • Block trade (Bursa-listed construction firm): RM 36 million, 1.5x ROI.

    • IPO (ASX): Raised AUD 113 million for a BPO services firm.

    Private Capital: Invested in top-tier funds including Creador Fund III & IV, Globis Fund V, Ikhlas Capital Fund I, Caledonia Hedge Fund, and Gateway Fund II.

Advisory Board Members

Person wearing a red outfit with a necklace, standing in front of a colorful abstract painting.

  • Dato' Anusha Santhirasthipam is a globally recognized corporate strategist, investor relations expert, and policy advisor with over 30 years of experience in corporate governance, capital markets, and stakeholder engagement. She has advised government-linked corporations, high-net-worth family offices, and institutional investors across Asia, North America, and Europe. With a strong legal background and extensive expertise in financial markets, she has played a pivotal role in shaping Malaysia’s financial sector and sustainable investment landscape.

  • Advised on over 300 IPOs across major stock exchanges, including Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, and the UK.

    • A leading architect of Malaysia’s financial and capital market reforms, contributing to regulatory frameworks, securities policies, and foreign investment strategies.

    • Worked with global institutions such as the World Bank, advocating for sustainable finance, impact investing, and corporate social responsibility initiatives.

    • Strategic advisor to the Government of India, fostering ASEAN trade, investment, and technology transfers.

    • Spearheaded initiatives in securities regulation, corporate governance, and banking sector reforms, strengthening Malaysia’s financial ecosystem.

    • Represented Malaysia at ASEAN Business Forums, APEC Summits, and UN Sustainable Development Conferences, advocating for economic resilience and social impact investing.

    Leadership Roles & Memberships:

    • Founder & Executive Director, Malaysian Investment Banking Association (MIBA).

    • Founder & Director, Ratings Agency Malaysia Berhad.

    • Served as Legal Advisor & Industry Liaison for financial market institutions and corporate restructuring initiatives.

    • Formerly with Shearn Delamore & Co and Drew & Napier, specializing in corporate takeovers, mergers, and restructuring. description

Man in a suit with glasses standing against a brown background

  • A seasoned entrepreneur and philanthropist with over 35 years of international experience, Firoz Shroff is renowned for his visionary leadership in wealth creation, corporate finance, and strategic partnerships. His distinguished career spans advising and leading multi-billion-dollar transactions in investment banking, real estate development, and intellectual capital management.

    • Successfully managed transactions valued at over $5 billion globally through his family office, with core focuses on real estate, financial services, and trading activities.

    Leadership Roles & Memberships:

    • President, United Nations Association of Canada (UNACTO): Revitalized and transformed the Toronto chapter into a thriving, self-sustaining organization.

    • Founder & Idea Sponsor, Social Entrepreneurship Fund: Initiated an innovative investment model targeting public companies to generate impactful social revenue streams while enhancing shareholder value.

    • Global Mentor & Keynote Speaker: Mentored industry leaders worldwide and delivered keynotes at prestigious institutions, including Tulane University's Social Entrepreneurship MBA Program and Ryerson University's Ted Rogers School of Management.