ABOUT US – Westbrooke

who we are

Established in 2004, Westbrooke is a multi-asset, multi-strategy manager and advisor of alternative investment funds and co-investment platforms. We have a heritage as a shareholder and operator of assets and invest our own capital alongside our investors in Private Debt, Hybrid Capital, Real Estate and Private Equity in South Africa, the UK and the USA. With an overriding focus on protecting downside, we seek to generate predictable, risk-managed, compounding returns for our clients, shareholders and management to cement their future prosperity.

what we do

We provide investors with a unique gateway to private market alternative investment opportunities which are traditionally difficult to access and provide businesses and entrepreneurs with fast, flexible, value-added debt and equity solutions which are tailored to meet their needs.

Our stakeholders benefit from the depth of experience and quality of our team and from The Westbrooke Investment & Risk Philosophy and Approach. This, together with our highly aligned financial interests, heritage as an owner and operator of assets, track record and performance and our focus on capital preservation allows our stakeholders to invest with the Westbrooke Advantage.

entrepreneurial,
experienced and
aligned

Since inception, we have invested in and led over 180 transactions with a combined deal value of over R12bn. Over this period, our private equity assets have achieved an IRR in excess of 30%. We have a heritage as a shareholder and operator of assets, investing our own capital to develop and grow our businesses and assets.

We believe that our operational experience and expertise through multiple cycles and events over a number of decades gives us, and our investors, a competitive advantage. We are wholly committed to financial alignment. We invest materially alongside our clients and partners in all our funds and investments.

our people

Martin is the Executive Chairman and co-founder of the Westbrooke Group and is also Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Westbrooke’s subsidiaries and associates. Prior to founding the Westbrooke Group in 2004, Martin co-founded and led a number of businesses.

Rob is a Non-Executive Director on the Westbrooke Group Board. Rob founded Capricorn Capital Partners with two other partners and is currently the CEO. He sits on the Board of Hollard Holdings and Anchor Group and is also the Chairman of the Hollard Investment Committee and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee.

Jarred is a Co-Founder of Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management and is a member of the Group’s Executive Team. Jarred has diverse experience investing in both public and private markets. Prior to joining Westbrooke, Jarred worked in investment banking at Standard Bank and Barclays. Jarred holds a BCom (Hons) from the University of Johannesburg, a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Corporate and Securities Law from the University of South Africa and a PMD from the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business.

Richard is based in London and is the Managing Director of Westbrooke UK and a member of Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management’s Executive Team. Richard led Westbrooke’s Section 12J product offering and was previously a consultant in the Structured and Acquisition Finance Team at Investec. Richard holds a BBusSci (Hons) in Finance, Economics and Strategy from the University of Cape Town.

Lawrence is the Managing Director of the Westbrooke Group which includes its principal and asset management activities. Prior to joining Westbrooke, Lawrence was at Investec where he ran multiple businesses including Private Capital and the Principal Investments divisions. He holds a BCom from University of Witwatersrand, BCom Hons from University of South Africa and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School.

Jonti is the Head of Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management’s Private Debt and Section 12J businesses in South Africa and is also a member of Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management’s Executive Team. Jonti has previous experience in the Investment Banking division at RMB with a focus on corporate and investment banking credit and real estate credit. He completed his articles at First Rand Bank. A CA (SA), Jonti also holds a BAccSci and HDipAcc from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Dino is Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management’s Head of Product Development and Distribution and is a member of Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management’s Executive Team. He is also the Chairman of the 12J Association of South Africa and has previous experience in Corporate Finance Investment Banking at Investec and Deloitte in both South Africa and the USA. A CA(SA), Dino also holds an MCom in Finance and a BAccSci (Hons) from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Jonathan heads up Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management’s USA Real Estate business and is a member of Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management’s Executive Team. Prior to joining Westbrooke, Jonathan gained 13 years of corporate finance, BEE and property experience. Jonathan holds a BCom (Hons) in Finance from the University of Johannesburg, an ACMA from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and an Advanced Diploma in Corporate Tax from the International Institute for Tax and Finance.

Brent is a Fund Manager in Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management’s Private Debt business. Before joining Westbrooke, Brent spent 5 years at Investec where he specialised in leveraged finance. Brent was involved in numerous transactions incorporating leverage and management buyouts, capex or growth facilities and property finance. Brent is a qualified CA(SA) and also holds a BCom (Hons) from the University of Johannesburg.

Saul is an Investment Analyst at Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management, focusing on asset rental and private debt investments. Prior to joining Westbrooke, Saul worked at Investec where he gained experience in corporate finance, asset-based lending and private equity funding. Saul is a CA(SA) and holds a BAccLLB degree from the University of Stellenbosch as well as a PGDip (Accounting Science) from the University of Johannesburg.

Lawrence is a Fund Manager in Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management’s Private Debt business. Prior to joining Westbrooke, Lawrence spent 8 years with Investec Principal Investments in Hong Kong where he specialised in private equity, venture capital and private debt transactions. Lawrence was involved in evaluating, structuring and executing multiple transactions across the capital stack including building the Templewater and Israel Technology Investments (ITI) platforms. Lawrence has an MSc Finance, University of London and is a CFA Charterholder.

Megan works in Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management’s Distribution team. Prior to joining Westbrooke, Megan spent 8 years at SA Taxi (part of the JSE listed Transaction Capital group). At SA Taxi, Megan looked after investor relations for the debt capital markets team and gained experience in debt raising and client engagements. Megan holds a BCom(Acc) degree, a PGDA in accounting and is a qualified CA(SA). She completed her articles at EY in Johannesburg.

Curt is in Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management’s Distribution team. Prior to joining Westbrooke, Curt spent 6 years at RMB Private Bank where he managed a book of high-net-worth clients with a focus on lending and investment advisory. He also has previous experience at Barclays within their global Product Control team. Curt holds a BCom Investment Management (Hons) from the University of Pretoria and is also a qualified CFP® as well as ACMA, GCMA.

Jodi works in Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management’s Distribution team. Jodi has a background in debt capital markets, having spent over 5 years at the SA Taxi business where she was responsible for creating and managing structured debt funding facilities for the company and the wider Transaction Capital Group. This involved working closely with various funders both locally and internationally to ensure optimal funding solutions. Jodi’s role also included overseeing the implementation of funding agreements and analysis of the transactions post-closure.

Prior to joining SA Taxi, Jodi was an assistant manager at EY Transaction Advisory Services focusing on valuations. Jodi is a qualified CA(SA) and completed her articles at Ernest and Young in Johannesburg.

Stacey works in Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management’s SA & USA Operations teams. Prior to joining Westbrooke, Stacey worked at Investec, where she gained experience as a client support banker before spending 5 years in deal management for Investec’s UK Corporate and Institutional Bank. Stacey holds a BCom in Financial Sciences from the University of Pretoria.

Hayley is a Marketing & Operations Manager at Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management. Previously, Hayley gained experience in the UK in several managerial roles across various businesses where she has garnered experience with business operations management, customer relations, system development, marketing and website design/development, as well as staff management. Hayley holds a BSc (Hons) from the University of East Anglia.

Sarah is a Financial Manager for Westbrooke’s Section 12J entities. With previous experience as a Liquidity Analyst at Sasfin Bank Ltd, Sarah gained exposure to trade, debtor and rental finance. Sarah holds an AGA(SA) and has over 11 years’ experience in financial and management reporting.

Michelle works in Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management’s Operations team. Prior to joining Westbrooke, Michelle spent 4 and a half years at TecEx, where she managed key-accounts and ran multiple projects as a senior account manager. In her role she was the head of client liaison, delegator of daily operations to various account managers, and designed processes for maximum client satisfaction. Michelle holds a BSc from the University of Potchefstroom.

Laura is an Operations Executive at Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management. Laura is a qualified CA(SA) and completed her articles at Deloitte in London. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning. Laura has spent the vast majority of her career to date in the wealth and financial planning industry with a specific focus on operations and project execution.

Duncan is the Fund Manager for Westbrooke Stac. He joined Westbrooke after completing his articles and two years in EY’s Corporate Finance division and has experience in acquiring, building and managing private companies across a range of industries. Duncan is also a CA(SA).

Claire is the Financial Manager for Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management. She is a qualified CA(SA) and completed her articles at Deloitte, where she also spent time as a manager in the Accounting and Financial Advisory division. Claire was the financial manager at Vumatel in its start-up phase, and thereafter gained experience in the private equity space, at an Africa-focussed fund of funds with an offshore investor base.

Debrah is the Financial Manager for Wesbrooke Group. She is a qualified CA (SA) with a MA Degree in Taxation. Debrah completed her articles at PKF South Africa. Prior to joining Westbrooke, Debrah was the CFO of Izingwe Capital (a Black Empowerment Company) for 11 years.

Jennifer is the Westbrooke Group’s Executive Assistant and is responsible for assisting the executives with daily administrative duties and completes a broad variety of office managerial tasks with a full range of organisational and clerical support services.

Before joining Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management UK as an Investment Associate and senior lead in the real estate division, James spent 5 years at RMB in South Africa, focusing on a range of real estate and principal investment transactions. James holds a BBusSci from the University of Cape Town and is a CFA Charterholder.

Rob is a Principal in Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management UK’s private equity business. Rob has extensive investment banking and private equity experience having previously worked at Macquarie Capital, Investec Bank and RMB Corvest. While at RMB Corvest (a leading South African private equity firm) he was involved in a number of acquisitions, including Excellerate, Adcorp Support Services, Prime Light and Inscape. His successful exits include Trudon and Plush Leathercare.

Emma is a Manager of Operations and Finance at Westbrooke UK. Prior to that, Emma spent 4 years at JTC Fund Solutions as a Fund Accounting Supervisor. Emma holds a BBusSci and BCom (Hons) in Taxation from the University of Cape Town and is currently studying towards her MCom in International Taxation.

Kieran is an Investment Associate at Westbrooke UK. Prior to joining the team, he spent 3 years at Investec where he specialised in growth and acquisition Finance. Kieran holds an MSc in International Business from the Grenoble Graduate School of Business, as well as an MCom in Management from Stellenbosch University, and is a CFA Charterholder.

Antimo is an Analyst in the Westbrooke UK investment team. Antimo trained and qualified as an attorney at Werksmans Attorneys in South Africa, gaining experience in mergers and acquisitions and international tax. Antimo holds BCom and LLB degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand and an LLM from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Olga works in Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management’s SA & USA Operations teams. Prior to joining Westbrooke, Olga spent 7 years at Narrative (a property development company). At Narrative, Olga was Head of Operations with a predominant focus project management and organisational planning. Olga holds a Masters degree in International Business as well as a Honours degree in Finance.

James is the Head of Westbrooke UK’s Hybrid Capital business. With over 20 years’ experience in the UK M&A market, he was most recently Head of Growth and Acquisition Finance at Investec. James is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and holds an MA(Hons) from the University of Edinburgh.

Harry is an Analyst in the Westbrooke UK investment team. Prior to joining the team, Harry worked as an analyst for a family office in London which was focused on early-stage venture capital. Prior to that, he was part of the founding team of a retail technology company. Harry holds a BA in Economics from University College London.