Singapore
Singer Songwriter, Composer, Music Entrepreneur & Former Finance Leader 𝐃𝐡𝐫𝐮𝐯 𝐒𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐭 is a lifelong musician and former senior i-banker who gave up his finance career after he wrote his first song at 40, and has, under artist name 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐯 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐭, become a chart-topping, award-winning musician and leading creative musical artist, recording in both English & Hindi. Dhruv’s songwriting blends his poetic Indian roots with his love for ‘70s Western folk-rock, creating a modern, global sound best described as “pop music for adults". He became the 1st Asia-based artist in 20 yrs supported by UK’s BBC Radio 2, scored four #1 songs on the World Indie Music Charts, twice reached the US Top 20, had his music licensed to Amazon Prime, and won int’l awards for his compositions & live performances. Dhruv caught the attention of UK-based Tim Bradshaw (John Mayer), Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers), Calum MacColl (Ronan Keating), and Simon Edwards (Fairground Attraction). Druv has also recorded in Nashville with Jon Tiven (Willie Nelson), and Sweden with Doug Carr (The Corrs) and Tony Malm (Eric Saade). In India, Druv has sung for Bollywood, created a Top 10 ranked Hindi patriotic song, composed India’s World Cup cricket music anthem, recorded with Gaurav Godkhindi (Sanam), Rudy Wallang (Soulmate), and performed with Shillong Chamber Choir. The award-winning 6-piece 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐯 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 has performed across the UK, Dubai, HK, India and headlined international festivals, private events and Singapore’s biggest stages (Esplanade Studio, Gardens By The Bay, Suntec, Drama Centre, Victoria Theatre). Druv has been a TED speaker, headlined the Asia TV Awards, featured in a number of intl publications, and won the IIMA Best Live Performer award. He is also an advisor to several startups, particularly in the technology and entertainment space. Druv’s enduring passions are fostering original art among the youth and helping youth find purpose in an increasingly challenging world. Druv has mentored hundreds of young people helping them identify college & career paths. He created the ‘Battle of the Bands’, a unique platform for young creators of original music to showcase and compete, and served as judge on a number of entertainment & music shows. Druv is in the midst of releasing his 5th EP, titled ‘On Time’. He recently had an early release of his song ‘Hope’, dedicated to today’s youth, part of his soon-to-be released 6th EP in 1Q’26, titled ‘Indian Spirit’ a mix of ‘Western folk-pop with Indian Sufi influences’. Further info www.druvkent.com
In 2013, Dhruv left investment banking to become a full-time creator of original music under artist name Druv Kent. His authentic songwriting caught the attention of producers Greg Haver, Calum MacColl and Simon Edwards (John Mayer, Ronan Keating, Radiohead, Sheryl Crow, The Manic Street Preachers, Oasis), now part of his regular collab team. In 2015 his debut single ‘Little Bit of God’ became the 1st Asia-based artist song supported in 20 years by BBC Radio 2. Since then, he’s released 3 albums, 13 singles, each of which have received widespread popular & critical acclaim in the UK, US, Spore, HK, Dubai, Aus & India. He also sings in Hindi, including for Bollywood, with ‘Hindustan Meri Jaan’ ranked a Top 10 Hindi patriotic song in India, and ‘Jeetega’ becoming a viral anthem for India’s World Cup pursuit. In 2020, ‘Don’t Burn Away’ hit #1 on the World Indie Music Charts and Euro Indie Music Charts, and #12 on the US Top 20. Druv plays live in the UK, Europe, Dubai, HK & India and has headlined some of Singapore’s biggest stages, including Esplanade, Gardens By The Bay, Suntec, Victoria Theatre and the Drama Centre Theatre. He’s performed with the Shillong Chamber Choir, was the cover story of India Se’s 1Q 2019 issue, been heralded as one of India’s best songwriter-composers in both English and Hindi, scored #1 hits on both the World Indie Music Charts and Euro Indie Music Charts, been on the US Top 20, headlined the Asia Television Awards, been invited as a judge on various award shows, as a public speaker and mentor for young musicians, performed at a number of intl festivals including headlining the 2019 Kasauli Lit Fest. His next album is slated for release later in 2021 in collab with Sweden’s top producers Doug Carr and Tony Malm. His music is under the brand Druv Kent on Spotify, Apple Music, other streaming sites, YouTube, FB, Instagram. Details on all DK songs and background can be found at www.druvkent.com.
Built a regional team that created a leading position in Asia for Financial Institutions (FIG) across investment banking work, ie, strategic advisory, capital markets and commercial banking products.
Was a senior VP in the Investment Bank in HK, responsible for the Financial Institutions team. Led a number of landmark transactions in the region.
Was part of the corporate finance and relationship management team