Investor login1. What’s a typical day like for you at Oxford Capital?
It generally splits into two parts – the first is meeting new or existing investors to introduce them to Oxford Capital or discuss the progress of their investments; the second is more internally focused with meetings to oversee the management of the firm.
2. Can you tell us a bit more about your role?
I’m fortunate to have a pretty broad role within the business and therefore have a lot of variety to my work. My principal responsibility is to oversee the firms engagement with new and existing investors and their advisers; to ensure we’re communicating on investment strategy and performance; and to try to bring them closer to their money through highlighting some of the successes our portfolio companies have on their journey. I also sit on various committees within the firm, so have oversight on risk and investment management.
3. What have your learnt working through the Covid-19 pandemic and the shift to hybrid working?
I’ve learned the full value of being in a team and what can be achieved through working together. I’ve been really impressed with how adaptable and resilient the team have been over the last few years, and how we have continued to make new investments; support our portfolio founders through a difficult period; report on investment performance; and return capital to investors – all without dropping a beat.
4. Which of our portfolio companies is your favourite and why?
This is a difficult one, as I think we have a great portfolio of companies doing some really interesting things. My favourite though, is cancer research and development company, Oxford BioTherapeutics. I think that this is a great example of how private capital used through the EIS scheme can not only provide the potential for high level of returns to investors, but also assist early-stage drug development in areas which can really change people’s lives. It’s really the essence of EIS in action, and a win win for everyone!
5. What most interests you about working with early-stage companies and the processes behind this?
I really enjoy meeting entrepreneurs, listening to them talk about their businesses and their motivations for starting them. The passion and drive they show for their companies is really infectious and I think we’re in a privileged position to be able to back some of them on their journey.
Quickfire round
1. Favourite pastime/hobby
I enjoy playing golf and trying to keep my handicap where it was when I was at University, which is increasingly more difficult as I get older – but over the last few months it has had to take a bit of a back seat as I’m doing a 100 mile charity bike ride, so have spent most of my spare time trying to fit in some training. On 29th May, along with 25,000 other people, I’m doing the Ride London event for Water Aid.
You can read more about it here.
2. Favourite holiday destination
South of France.
3. Favourite meal
I enjoy fajitas – mainly because it’s a meal we eat as a family and my children don’t complain about what’s being served!
4. Favourite film/TV show
I’m a bit of a history buff, so on the rare occasions I get to use the remote I watch Sky History. I’ve just been watching a series called the Men Who Built America, which was a fascinating insight into the early lives of some of the great industrial pioneers such as Carnegie, JP Morgan, Rockefeller and Ford. Some of the challenges they faced are not too dissimilar to the ones founders in our portfolio experience!
