About XL Advisors
We build the leadership teams India’s growth depends on.
Executive search and specialist hiring for insurers, GCCs, IT services, retail and energy companies. Founded in 2011 by IIT Kanpur alumni.
Discuss a mandateMeet our partners2011Founded by IIT Kanpur alumni
45+Search professionals
400+Clients served
30+Insurers, reinsurers and brokers
Who we are
Brought in before the first hire is made.
Large corporates call us when they launch a new business, plant, GCC or regional operation. We build the leadership team, design the org structure and benchmark compensation, so the project starts with the right people in place.
We run retained and contingent search, and contract-to-hire for specialist roles.
What we are known for
Three areas where clients rely on us
Insurance, reinsurance & GIFT City
New insurers from licensing to launch, and international reinsurers setting up in GIFT City.
Greenfield and expansion builds
Leadership benches for new plants, GCCs, brands and regional operations.
Technology leadership
CTOs, engineering, data, AI and cybersecurity leaders for IT services firms, GCCs and digital teams.
Sectors
Industries we know from the inside
Insurance & reinsuranceGIFT CityGlobal Capability CentresIT services & technologyRetail & jewelleryPower & renewablesOil & gasBFSI
Leadership
The partners who run your search
Every mandate is led by a founding partner, from the first briefing to the joining date.
Varun Jain
Co-Founder & Director
B.Tech, IIT Kanpur · 9 years at Schlumberger
Leads technology, GCC and greenfield leadership hiring, and runs the firm’s operations.
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Varun leads technology and leadership hiring for IT services firms, Global Capability Centres and large corporates setting up new businesses in India. Before co-founding XL Advisors, he spent nine years with Schlumberger across India, the Middle East and Australia. He is Treasurer of the IIT Kanpur Alumni Association, Mumbai Chapter.
LinkedIn
Minal Jain
Co-Founder & CEO
MBA (HR), ITM · Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women, IIM Ahmedabad
Leads leadership search and the insurance, reinsurance, BFSI and retail practices.
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Minal built the firm’s advisory services, including market mapping, compensation benchmarking and org design, now used by new insurers and corporates setting up in India. Earlier, she set up the global markets and debt capital markets search verticals at Vito India. She is part of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women programme at IIM Ahmedabad (2026 cohort).
LinkedIn
Mangesh Akerkar
Co-Founder & Partner
35 years in oilfield services · about 25 years at Schlumberger
Anchors energy, oil and gas hiring, drawing on 35 years in oilfield operations.
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Mangesh has worked across operations excellence, service delivery and project management. He spent close to 25 years with Schlumberger in India, Egypt, the UAE, Kuwait, Sudan, Qatar, Papua New Guinea and China, led operations for a drilling company in Nigeria, and headed operations at a contract manpower supplier for the oil and gas industry.
LinkedInHow we work
Four commitments on every mandate
01
Bespoke
Every search is built around the role, the culture and the business context.
02
Collaborative
Briefings, calibration calls and feedback loops with HR and the business.
03
Diversity-led
Over 25% of completed searches are diversity placements. Members of WIN.
04
Industry-deep
Fifteen years of depth in insurance and specialist hiring.
Planning a leadership hire?
Talk to a partner about the role and the market.
Discuss a mandateJoin our team