IPO Lead Managers

Lead Manager

Lead managers are independent financial institutions appointed by the company going public to manage the IPO. They are the main body responsible for IPO processing.

A company planning for IPO first appoints lead managers. Lead managers examine company documents including financial documents, documents relating to litigation like commercial disputes, patent disputes, disputes with collaborators, etc. and other materials, in connection with the finalization of the draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) for the IPO.

Lead managers are responsible to get the DRHP approved by SEBI and stock exchanges. SEBI contact the lead manager for any irregularities or lapses in DRHP and ask them to clarify, add or review certain sections of the document.

Lead managers certify to SEBI that all the disclosers made in DRHP are true, correct, adequate and comply with SEBI guidelines to help investors in making a well-informed decision.

Issuer Company appoints underwriters or syndicate members with the help of lead managers. Lead managers are responsible for examining the worth of underwriters and their capabilities to buy the shares and assure the same to SEBI.

In brief Lead Manager's responsibilities include, initiate the IPO processing, write DRHP and get it to approve by SEBI, help the company in selling the IPO Shares and road shows, help the company in finalizing the issue price, issue opening & closing dates, listing date, etc.

Lead managers are also known as Book Running Lead Manager and Co-Book Running Lead Managers. Issuer company can appoint more than one lead manager to manage big IPO's. Large IPO's have as many as 10 Book Running Lead Managers.