The Portfolio Executives

I became a Portfolio Executive because going it alone was never the goal. I want to be part of a network of people who’ve grown through their own journeys – people who are talented, ambitious, and looking to make things happen. Different backgrounds, different skills, same drive. The opportunity to come together with people like that and build something meaningful is what excites me.

In terms of how I got here, I have a military background, and when I left the army, I had no idea what came next. I gravitated towards technology because it was where my natural ability lay, and then into leadership for the same reason. I wouldn’t settle for a role that I wasn’t suited for, as I’ve never been comfortable with mediocrity. I’m a problem solver and a builder by nature. I cut my teeth in software engineering at corporates like Experian, Dunnhumby, and Kantar, then moved into senior leadership across law firms, sitting alongside accomplished board members where I learned an enormous amount. More recently, I’ve founded my own companies and stepped out into the portfolio world. Now I’m looking to scale my engagements.

Early on, when I left the military, the economy had crashed and I ended up in a minimum wage call centre job with a thousand other people. I couldn’t accept that this was my future. I fought tooth and nail, said yes to every opportunity, and taught myself to program. Within a year, I’d landed a role in London doing the technical set up of real-time transcription services for the Leveson inquiry. That was the moment I scraped my way from a directionless situation onto the first rung of a ladder that’s taken me to where I am today.

Along the way, I’ve learned that good business is built on good relationships with good people. My father-in-law, a successful businessman himself, once told me that fairness and justice in business do exist, but you can only expect it from yourself. That’s stuck with me. There are times to be strong, but if you treat people right along the way, we create positive things for all we encounter. A CEO who mentored me put it simply: wise head, kind heart, strong backbone. That’s what makes good leaders, and that’s what I stand by.

At this stage, the relationships I’ve invested in over the years have paid dividends. I know a lot of capable, talented, and successful people, and because I’ve invested in them genuinely, they’re willing to support me when I call on them. You don’t do it expecting anything in return, but having a strong network of people who trust and respect you is incredibly valuable. That’s exactly what I hope to build more of.

Looking ahead, I want to work with people who share my outlook – commercially minded, but with a purpose beyond just making money for those who already have it. I want to engage with projects that use emerging technology to better the world. Commercial success matters because it enables you to do more good work. That’s the aim: build things that matter, with people who care.