Fraser D.
About me
| Fraser D. | |
| Economics and Related Studies | |
| Economics & Statistics | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Alcuin | |
| 1981 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| Business founder and investor | |
| Various | |
| United Kingdom |
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A day in the life of a Business founder and investor in the United Kingdom
Experienced private equity professional and, more recently, a start-up founder and angel investor
My career goals when I graduated
To be a marketing professional... but then I got my first job in Unilever's commercial function.
My career history
After starting work in Unilever's garduate development scheme, I did 5 years strategy consulting before returning to industry. I then worked for many years in a large private equity fund, running the operational team responsible for acquisition due diligence and business profit improvements. I have sat on many company boards as a Non-Executive Director including EMI Music, Odeon and UCI Cinemas, William Hill and Meridien Hotels. Since 2009 I have co-founded a restaurant delivery business; part-own a video production company; invested in and assist a FinTech start-up; and I am currently working on an app development.
What has helped my career to progress
Delivering beyond people's expctations. Helping your boss to do their boss's job so you can then step up into theirs.
Courses taken since graduation
Some excruciating compliance and financial regulatory exams. An Open University Spanish course.
How my studies have helped my career
Economics gave me a modicum of understanding of the business environment. Statistics allowed me to question everything numerical presented as a fact.
What surprised me about my career so far
How difficult getting a restaurant right actually is.
Where I hope to be in 5 years
I'm now off the career ladder so just hope to continue to get new experiences and meet and work with some more great, energetic, enthusiatic people.
My advice to students considering work
It's probably impossible to intellectualise what the "right" job is for you. However, if you have genuine passion, energy and enthusiasm for something it will carry you a long way, including persuading an employer that you're right for them.
My advice about working in my industry
Get involved in activities, part-time jobs or internships that align with and demonstrate to an employer where you want to go.
Contacting me
Apologies in advance if I cannot accept every mentoring request. Show that you are open and receptive to ideas and I am most likely to respond posutively.
What I do
I no longer have a "9 to 5" full-time job. Instead, I have a variety of business interests. I co-founded a restaurant delivery business 5 years ago and that takes up the largest slug of my time. I mentor guys in a video production company that I part own. I'm helping fundraise for a start-up, online Fintech company and have just set up with someone else an exciting new company working on an app development. I kept a few Non Executive roles in private-equity-owned companies, but these have gradually dropped off as each of the businesses has been sold.
How I started my business
A friend had a good idea and I said "let's do it". Once you have infectious enthusiasm for something, things tend to gain momentum.
What inspired me
People who overcome adversity, learn from their mistakes and don't complain about the mountains they have to climb tend to be vey inspirational people.
Skills I use and how I developed them
I started in Unilever and qualified as a management accountant. Luckily I didn't need to remember what debits and credit are but it gave me a good general business foundation. I have found listening skills and the ability to connect with and influence people to be most useful.
What I like most
Seeing people develop and grow is a very rewarding part of working, especially if you are having to apply your experience and work in a team.
What I like least
If you get onto a treadmill driven by an internal need to be successful, it's easy to forget what a more balanced lifestyle looks like.
What surprised me most
How different it is working in a corporate environment compared to running your own business.
Next steps...
If you like the look of Fraser’s profile, the next steps are down to you! You can send Fraser a message to find out more about their career journey. If you feel you would benefit from more in-depth conversations, ask Fraser to be your mentor.