1) Explain a little about your role at WestBridge …
I am a partner at WestBridge having joined the business in 2017. My role involves a wide range of activities from originating and transacting deals, to representing the WestBridge interests on the board of our portfolio companies as a non-executive director; from helping to recruit and mentor the investment team to participating in the management of WestBridge as a business including being part of the investment committee, wider portfolio management and periodically fundraising.
2) Tell us about one of your career highs …
Investing in lower mid-market companies and helping the management teams grow and develop their businesses is stimulating and challenging every day. The wide variety in sector, business model and most interestingly people makes it a highly interesting and rewarding career with constant opportunities to learn something new, even after more than 20 years in the industry. At the end of each investment journey, delivering a successful exit where value and jobs have been created, that is always a real high!
3) A great piece of advice …
Do what you love and trust your instincts!
4) One thing I’d change about the world of private equity …
Private equity globally manages a considerable amount money invested across almost all countries in all different types of companies. With this influence and reach it is in a prime position to be a significant force for good, ethically driving improvements in the way in which businesses impact the environment, enable more social mobility and employment diversity and drive the highest standards of corporate governance. It is good to see our industry embracing this philosophy and I am looking forward to seeing the impact.
5) Outside work, I enjoy …
Spending time with friends and family, motorsport and the great outdoors!