What are your backgrounds?
HKO | I started my career working with a London-based venture capitalist before getting elbow deep in one of the portfolio companies for a number of years. This took me all over the world managing new territory roll-outs. I have a real passion for growing companies – ‘innovations and operations’. At GPFO, on the investment side, I am focussed on sourcing the best and brightest private companies and direct investment opportunities.
BP | I started as a trainee at wealth manager Brooks Macdonald and worked my way up to become an investment manager director. I thoroughly enjoyed building long term relationships with my clients and their advisors as well as researching investments.
What has struck you most about GPFO?
HKO | To badly misquote and paraphrase the saying “surround yourself with those with aligned ambitions and positive influence” – one of the first times I’ve seen such aligned objectives in a large group and willing to support others along the way.
BP | The range of investment opportunities at our events and the knowledge of the attendees. I have attended countless investment events over the years but in the main they have been dull affairs. GPFO events have a vast range of investments with a hugely knowledgeable and insightful audience
What changes would you like to make?
HKO | I would like to see more debate. We host and have some brilliant minds – many often are thinking along the same lines.
BP | Getting to know the individuals in our network better, the more we understand their needs and desires the better we can service them. Hopefully this will result in some more novel events. For example, Hugo is doing a lot of work organising an event in Cambridge focusing on the city as a centre of innovation, which I am very excited to see.
Where do you see GPFO in 5 years?
HKO | It’s really exciting to think ahead! In 2020 we will service
our international network better than ever before, taking our signature investment club and thought leadership formats to five international forums. I hope we continue in that respect.
BP | Maintaining our focus on quality but having new events for wider parts of the network and more non-investment events. I would love to have events focusing on philanthropy, impact investing and education, which may attract the next generation within the family office.
What was the last book you read?
HKO | The Age of Living Machines: How Biology Will Build the Next Technology Revolution by Susan Hockfield – a naff title but it was a good read. My girlfriend is doing her PhD in Bioelectronics. I’m just trying to keep up!
BP | Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About The World – And Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling. A fascinating book that everyone should read.
It highlights how bad we all are at understanding the world. In most areas the world is a far better place than it was 20 years ago. Celebrating this is not the same as saying that things are fine but will allow us to learn what works.
If you were on desert island discs what would be your luxury item?
HKO | A well-stocked drinks cabinet with plenty of ice, for watching the sunsets…
BP | Not sure it qualifies but a small and perfectly formed pub. Wood panelling, pork-based snacks, interesting beers, decent whisky, no music and a pub dog!
Ideal dinner party companions?
HKO | David Attenborough is a must, Gordon Ramsey (he can cook), Mick Jagger I’m sure has some interesting tales to tell.
BP | Michael Palin: the combination of Monty Python and travel would lead to endless anecdotes. C.B. Fry, probably the most variously gifted Englishman of any age. Represented England at both cricket and football, long jump world record holder, politician, author and diplomat who reportedly turned down the throne of Albania. Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I find the work of the US supreme court fascinating. I don’t agree with a lot of her views which would make the dinner party far more interesting.
What would the first item be on your bucket list?
HKO | Being there to see England lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
BP | Ashes Boxing Day test at the MCG – provided England play well!
Tell us something interesting about yourself
HKO | As a kid I was good at chess, representing England a couple of times.
BP | In my university days I appeared on the Weakest Link, I came third losing to a nail technician. Happily, this was the days before YouTube got big so no footage exists.
