Kate Gribbon
Co-head of Private Company Fundraising
Since studying Economics and Management at Oxford, I’ve accumulated almost two decades of M&A experience. In 2020, I co-launched the Private Company Fundraising team at Investec, to help entrepreneurs raise equity growth capital.
I build long-term relationships over multiple funding rounds until the business is large enough to advise from a sell-side/exit perspective.
I focus on deal origination. I make sure we're bringing the best of all the bank’s products and services to our private equity clients.
What do you feel passionate about both professionally and personally?
Professionally, I’m passionate about building long-standing relationships with people who put their trust in me to do the right thing by them. I enjoy joining the dots between lots of different people, companies and opportunities and being the glue that binds them together.
Personally, I’m passionate about proving to the world that, as a working mum (I have two children, aged eight and five), you can still have an interesting, varied, and successful career in investment banking.
Share an example of early life that has shaped you?
My mum has been an incredible role model and an inspiration. She retired two years ago from investment banking, so she set an example for me as a working mum in the city.
Highlights of your career so far?
Joining Investec and being able to launch a new team has been career changing. There’s been so much internal and external enthusiasm for what we’re doing with entrepreneurs.
Key lessons you have learned along the way?
Perseverance is key. This is a difficult industry. Whether you’re on the advisory side or on the entrepreneur side, you have to be resilient and you have to pick yourself up when you get knocked down, not once, twice, or thrice, but constantly.
Best piece of advice you have received?
Be true to yourself. Act based on who you are at your core and don’t be swayed by the opinions or expectations of others.
Advice to a young person just starting their career?
The more people you talk to, the easier it is to understand what you do and don’t want to do, so talk to as many as possible.
What is the greatest challenge you have faced either personally or in your career?
The biggest challenge I face every day is the juggling act. I’m very ambitious and very keen to attack any new role and give it my all. When you’ve got a very long list of things that you want to achieve, it’s difficult to choose what is the most important thing to focus on.
How do you approach and deal with challenges?
I’m quite a rational person, so I take in as much information as possible around the challenge so that I can approach it from a fully informed perspective. I think it’s important to create the brain space to think it through and strategize around it, so it helps to be organised.
How do you stay motivated at work and at home?
My kids keep me motivated. Plus, I genuinely have a real passion for what I do, so I love coming to work every day.
Why do you love what you do?
I love meeting new people with incredible ideas. I love hearing their stories, and that feeling of living vicariously through others, as I’ve always been keen on being an entrepreneur myself. I love completing a successful deal for someone that transforms their life.
Why is it important to support women-led business?
Women’s entrepreneurial businesses have been enormously under invested and that needs to change. I want to be one of the women who pulls others up, and I want to set an example for the younger generation that it’s not easy, but with perseverance and resilience, you can achieve your dream.
60
Seconds
with
My inspiration is...
the entrepreneurs I meet every week.
My greatest fear is...
failure to achieve what I set out to achieve.
The most courageous thing I’ve ever done is...
a cycle ride from London to Paris.
Guiltless pleasure?
watching terrible television late at night to decompress.
Mantra you live by?
live truly as yourself.
Female role model?
my mum.
Women-led brand you love?
Child’s Farm – sustainably sourced sensitive skincare products for kids
Top productivity tool?
One Note.
Connect with
Kate Gribbon
kate.gribbon@investec.com
The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount invested. Your capital is at risk.
Separate eligibility criteria, terms and conditions apply to Investec Wealth & Investment Limited and Investec Bank plc.