Shaila Desai is the Head of Urban Impact Properties (UIP), the c. R3.5bn residential and student accommodation rental fund within Impact Investing at Old Mutual Alternative Investments (OMAI). She is responsible for the strategy, management, and performance of UIP.

Shaila joined the Impact Investing team in August 2012, as the Executive Assistant to the Head of Impact Investing. Her skills and experience soon saw her transition to the asset management team for Financial Inclusion and then into the Rental asset class.

Prior to joining OMAI, Shaila spent six years at Woolworths (Pty) Ltd as the Financial Analyst for the International and Franchise division where she was involved in the evaluation and buy-out of franchise businesses in SA and across Africa as Woolworths exited the franchise model.

Shaila has over 20 years of financial analysis and investment experience, and is a Chartered Accountant and a CFA® charterholder. She serves as a board member on the investments within UIP, and is also the Chairperson of the Audit and Risk Committee on 2 of the investments.