Mumbai: Shirish Godbole, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Knowledge Realty Trust, has been appointed as the President of the Indian REITs Association (IRA) with immediate effect, marking a significant leadership appointment in India’s rapidly growing Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) sector.
Shirish Godbole succeeds Alok Aggarwal, former Managing Director and CEO of Brookfield India Real Estate Trust, following his retirement.
Established in 2023 under the guidance of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, the Indian REITs Association is the country’s leading industry body dedicated to the development and growth of the REIT ecosystem.
The association represents all major listed REITs in India.
Following his appointment, Shirish Godbole outlined his priorities for the sector, emphasizing the need to further strengthen India’s REIT industry, enhance investor awareness, uphold the highest standards of corporate governance and transparency, and support the next phase of industry growth.
India’s REIT sector has witnessed significant growth in recent years. During the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2026, the country’s five listed REITs collectively distributed more than ₹2,566 crore to over 4.25 lakh unit holders.
For the full financial year 2025-26, the cumulative distribution exceeded ₹8,900 crore, reflecting the continued expansion and maturity of the sector.
As of May 22, 2026, the combined market capitalization of India’s REIT industry stood at more than ₹1.70 lakh crore.
Also Read: RBI Monetary Policy February 2026: MPC Holds Repo Rate at 5.25%, Opens Bank Lending to REITs
The country’s five listed REITs – Brookfield India Real Estate Trust, Embassy Office Parks REIT, Knowledge Realty Trust, Mindspace Business Parks REIT, and Nexus Select Trust – collectively manage over 187 million square feet of Grade-A office and retail real estate assets across India.
Since their inception, these listed REITs have distributed more than ₹31,700 crore to unit holders, highlighting the sector’s growing contribution to India’s commercial real estate investment landscape.
Shirish Godbole brings more than 25 years of global experience in real estate investment and finance.
Over the course of his career, he has held senior leadership positions at leading global financial institutions, including AEW Capital Management, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs.
He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Knowledge Realty Trust, which is India’s largest listed REIT by market capitalization. Shirish Godbole earned his MBA from Northeastern University, Boston.
