Oxford capital eis fund
Investor Portal

Meet the Oxford Capital team – Nick Sudlow, Analyst, Investor Relations

Nick Sudlow 2 cropped2 cooler

1. What’s a typical day like for you at Oxford Capital?

A typical day can be quite varied depending on what activities are taking place within the company, for example if we are closing a funding round, but my primary role is to be the first port of call for our investors. This means answering telephone queries from investors and advisers and responding to emails submitted to our investor support inbox. This can vary from helping investors and financial advisers to access our Investor Centre Portal, to answering queries and providing information about individual investments.

I also support our operations team in ensuring that the data we provide to our clients is accurate, and our business development team with their administrative duties to maximise their time interacting with clients and financial advisers.

2. Can you tell us a bit more about your role and your background prior to joining Oxford Capital?

Prior to joining Oxford Capital, I worked in warranty administration for a motor group. This put me in good stead for my role at Oxford Capital, as it also required a high degree of data accuracy, the ability to work in a changing environment, and the ability to maintain relationships and communicate clearly with the public.

3. What have you learnt working through the Covid-19 pandemic? How has it shifted how we engage with clients and their advisers?

Joining Oxford Capital whilst working from home guidance was in place was a big adjustment, but I think it has been really beneficial for the company and the team to adapt to a more flexible way of working. These changes have meant that we have found more and better ways of staying connected with our clients, made big steps towards being a digital first company and minimising our impact on the environment, and the team remains conscious to check in with one another and look after our mental well-being.

 4. Which of our portfolio companies is your favourite and why?

I think that all of the companies in the portfolio are really interesting, but my favourites are the disruptive ones. HomeTree has a fantastic model, and it’s exciting to see how they’re forcing their way into a monopolised sector and making a real difference to the market.

5. What most interests you about working with early-stage companies and the processes behind this?

I find it inspiring to see the ideas behind, and growth of, early stage companies, and it feels like an insight into the future every time a new company joins our portfolio. It’s fascinating to see companies join our portfolio with a team of just four or five people, and watch them grow to leading teams into the hundreds.  It’s so important for us to learn from these companies to help us better replicate that success in the future.

Quickfire round

1. Favourite pastime/hobby

Several! I love reading, gardening (very amateurishly) and spending time with my partner and our animals.

 2. Favourite holiday destination

Anywhere I can find good weather, good food and good wine.

3. Favourite meal

Depends on the occasion, but pizza and a pub roast are firm favourites.

4. Favourite film/TV show

That’s a tough one as I enjoy so many, but I’ve probably watched Star Wars the most!

Estimated reading time: 2 min

 

Due to the potential for losses, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) considers this investment to be high risk.

What are the key risks?

  1. You could lose all the money you invest
    1. If the business you invest in fails, you are likely to lose 100% of the money you invested. Most start-up businesses fail.
  2. You are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong
    1. Protection from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), in relation to claims against failed regulated firms, does not cover poor investment performance. Try the FSCS investment protection checker here.
    2. Protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) does not cover poor investment performance. If you have a complaint against an FCA-regulated firm, FOS may be able to consider it. Learn more about FOS protection here.
  3. You won’t get your money back quickly
    1. Even if the business you invest in is successful, it may take several years to get your money back. You are unlikely to be able to sell your investment early.
    2. The most likely way to get your money back is if the business is bought by another business or lists its shares on an exchange such as the London Stock Exchange. These events are not common.
    3. If you are investing in a start-up business, you should not expect to get your money back through dividends. Start-up businesses rarely pay these.
  4. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
    1. Putting all your money into a single business or type of investment for example, is risky. Spreading your money across different investments makes you less dependent on any one to do well.
    2. A good rule of thumb is not to invest more than 10% of your money in high-risk investments. https://www.fca.org.uk/investsmart/5-questions-ask-you-invest
  5. The value of your investment can be reduced
    1. The percentage of the business that you own will decrease if the business issues more shares. This could mean that the value of your investment reduces, depending on how much the business grows. Most start-up businesses issue multiple rounds of shares.
    2. These new shares could have additional rights that your shares don’t have, such as the right to receive a fixed dividend, which could further reduce your chances of getting a return on your investment.

 

If you are interested in learning more about how to protect yourself, visit the FCA’s website here.