30 thoughts at 30
Nov 8 · 5 min read
Recently I turned 30, and I wanted to share some of my wide-ranging thoughts and learnings now I’m into my next chapter of life.

- On personal fulfilment….No-one can predict the future with certainty, so I’m open-minded in the path I take and the opportunities I’m afforded. The most joyous opportunities have often been the most serendipitous.
- On the state of society….We’ve had a number of exogenous socio-economic shocks that have created a bifurcated society. We need to try and repair it.
- On open and fair debate….Disingenuous virtue-signalling is bad, as are extremist views. We need to create an environment where the merits of a particular view adjacent to the norm aren’t instantly castigated.
- On climate issues….We should all recognise the impact of climate issues, but I’d like there to be more practical policy suggestions thrust to the front of the debate rather than empty rhetoric.
- On social impact…I remain a strong believer in doing well and doing good through social intrapreneurship. We need to see more companies adopting social ventures that scale as a core part of their product portfolio.
- On the State….Government responses will always lag the current state of play. We need more young leaders and top talent in government to fundamentally rewire our societal governance.
- On social media….I’m a huge proponent of using social media to share your thoughts, build your business, connect with others. I believe everyone will become an influencer in their own space — “owning” their own data and with accompanying personal brand equity.
- On YouTube….It’s the biggest learning platform and multi-faceted TV channel all-in-one. So many are running micro-businesses (channels), and there is a real opportunity to empower the creator even more, and a space for edgier, authentic content to win.
- On influencers…I feel we will see a push to more authentic influencers with a hyper-captive audience. I’m actively exploring building an incubator to support the next generation of such talent, so long as they have a skill to begin with.
- On podcasts….I’ve been slow to warm to this space, but I see potential. The current issue is competition for our attention, so I’d like to see Podcasts that do something other than transmit knowledge.
- On gaming….I wonder where it will go and am interested to observe the impact of Google Stadia. I crave a more immersive gaming experience, and the ability to connect with gamers like me more easily, particularly those I could meet IRL.
- On esports….Hugely buoyant about the space, but not every game can have a huge competitive scene. The gap in the market is to monetise the end consumer who watches streams on Twitch and if it becomes an Olympic sport will blow up even more. Some involvement in CoD is an area I’m keen on.
- On Man Utd…My beloved team needs refreshing. I support the commercial leadership but would like to see the playing staff significantly upgraded. Dream signing: Lewy.
- On football…As someone who has a tactical brain, I’ve doubled down on being a 5–3–2 man with split strikers. Stability at the back, pace through midfield on the break, and strikers running in the channels. Conte / Jose are kings.
- On tennis…I’m super interested to see who will be in contention for men’s majors in the coming years — Shapovalov, Medvedev, Thiem, Tsitsipas, Khachanov, De Minaur, Auger Aliassime, Rublev, Coric, Fritz, Opelka all have a shot- and even my guy Kyrgios!
- On private schools…I hear continued arguments to abolish the private sector. I will never be in favour of that, not just because I went to one. We’ll become a third-rate schools education system without them.
- On UK schools…Perennially not optimistic. More talent needed, less liberalism and philosophical sabotage, and more commercial thinking needed to make game-changing strides forward.
- On UK universities…Positive — there are an alarming lack of credible alternatives despite what the Guardian would make you believe. More innovation is happening in UK universities than is reported publicly.
- On international education…There will be continued booms in demand for private sector education services from the (at times emancipated) middle class around the world. Main opportunities lie in the reskilling and up-skilling space for corporate workforces of tomorrow.
- On future of work…Basically, at the confluence of chaos is where the opportunities will be — when humans try and convert to a more automated working environment, and heavily automated industries need to maximise efficiency with human governance structures. Generally, being in the middle of a two-sided market is a good thing…
- On corporates…They’ll need to demonstrate to the talent of tomorrow and top talent within that they are more than just hothouses for the average and unambitious. I think we’ll see consolidation through M&A of incumbents in multiple verticals by platform / tech companies.
- On M&A…Increasingly through my work in the last 12 months, I’ve spotted a few gaps in M&A advisory services that I will seek to capitalise on in the coming years. It’s the sweet-spot between affordability, exploration and trust.
- On young talent…The best lessons I’ve learnt throughout my career have either been from world-leaders or people one generation below me. I’ve a strong bias for developing young talent, and will focus the next chapter in investing directly in them and their journeys.
- On company builders…We will see a gradual movement towards talent investing, driven by companies like Antler and EF. I think this will go earlier and earlier, and eventually be a route out of university or even before. Innovation from those who start companies while being at corporates.
- On angel investing…I’m interested in a next generation of assets — perhaps some digital (e.g. CryptoKitties), some physical (next Pokemon Cards), and businesses that haven’t yet been formulated but have built significant online communities (e.g. some I’m tracking!).
- On venture capital…It’s gone heavily micro with tons of funds left right and centre being created, often without a particular uniqueness. More influencers and celebrities will get involved in rounds, led by those industries with cultural crossover (e.g. esports).
- On music…More cross-culture collaboration, of course led by K-Pop and increasingly by China, in my view. I want to revisit my past of scouting for a record label when I was much younger. The long-tail of undiscovered multi-disciplinary talent interests me greatly.
- On travel…Business class travel being unbundled would be a godsend — and I do see a world where the things you prioritise are the only things you actually pay for. Generally, I’m looking to go further afield in the coming years to places off the beaten track.
- On food…I hope to experience even more zany meals in the coming years, taking me far and wide. Reindeer tongue in Helsinki remains the most random foodstuff I’ve consumed to-date.
- On what’s next…As mentioned, supporting the next generations is what I’m most passionate about. I aim to do this more formally in the coming years!
