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When people talk about Shantanu Mazumder, they don’t start with his title. They talk about his kindness, his calm, and the way he made people feel capable. As Executive Director at Knight Frank India, Bengaluru, Shantanu was the kind of leader who shaped not just strategies, but lives. His passing in 2025 at the age of 50 leaves behind a legacy defined by grace, mentorship, and quiet strength.
Building a career, step by step
Born in 1975, Shantanu’s journey through India’s real estate and facilities management sector spanned more than two decades. He began his professional career with CB Richard Ellis (now CBRE) in 1999, where he was part of the Asset Services division. Responsible for managing some of NCR’s prestigious properties, he developed a deep understanding of operations and client relationships early on.
He then joined Insignia Brooke India Pvt. Ltd. in 2002, overseeing facility management for Chennai and Bengaluru. His ability to combine operational precision with empathy for people quickly set him apart. A year later, he moved to IL&FS Property Management & Services Limited, where he headed the Pune region as SBU Head and later handled business development and operations for the NCR region. The role allowed him to blend leadership with strategy, building strong teams in one of India’s largest property and facility management firms.
In 2007, he took on a new challenge at Quadrile Management Services (Quadrile Partners) as Vice President. There, he helped build a strong business vertical team for a growing investment management and real estate consultancy. His focus remained clear: to lead with integrity and create impact through disciplined, people-driven growth.
Leading with humility
When he joined Knight Frank India, Shantanu’s experience and leadership came together in full measure. Over the years, he became one of the company’s most respected figures — first as Senior Branch Director, then as Executive Director in Bengaluru. His leadership shaped the firm’s southern operations during a time of rapid urban expansion.
In a business often driven by quick wins and competition, Shantanu stood apart for his steady approach. He believed that success meant building relationships before transactions, people before numbers. His colleagues remember that he never rushed to speak. He listened first, and when he did, his words carried weight.
“His vision, humility, and unwavering dedication shaped not just Knight Frank India, but the people who had the privilege of working with him,” an internal note from the company read.
A mentor remembered
To his team, Shantanu wasn’t a distant senior executive. He was a mentor who guided without judgement and always made time for a conversation. Many recall how he would stay back late after meetings to help younger staff solve problems or how he remembered personal details that made people feel seen.
His leadership style wasn’t about control, but about empowerment. Many of the people he mentored now lead teams across India, carrying forward his approach of empathy and discipline.
Beyond work
Outside the office, Shantanu was deeply curious about cities and how they evolve. He loved talking about architecture, urban life, and the rhythm of Bengaluru, a city he helped shape professionally and personally. Friends remember his sense of humour, his reflective nature, and his ability to bring perspective when things seemed chaotic.
He believed that buildings were only as strong as the people behind them, and he lived by that belief every day.
A lasting legacy
When Knight Frank India announced his passing, the message reflected what everyone felt, “His legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched and inspired.”
At 50, Shantanu had achieved more than most do in a lifetime. Yet, what defined him wasn’t the scale of his achievements but the depth of his integrity. The culture he helped build at Knight Frank, collaborative, thoughtful, and human continues to bear his imprint.
