Jon Moulton Career Highlights and Investment Insights

Jon Moulton is a seasoned private equity investor with a proven track record of success. He co-founded Better Capital in 2007.

Moulton's career in private equity spans over three decades, with a focus on turnaround and restructuring investments. He has a keen eye for spotting undervalued companies with potential for growth.

Moulton's investment approach emphasizes a hands-on, value-added approach to investing, often taking a minority stake in companies to drive change and growth.

For another approach, see: Early History of Private Equity

Jon Moulton's early life was marked by health issues due to coal smoke in Stoke-on-Trent.

He attended Hanley High School and later earned a degree in chemistry from Lancaster University.

The coal smoke in Stoke-on-Trent had a significant impact on Moulton's health, highlighting the importance of environmental factors in our well-being.

Jon Moulton's business ventures are a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and strategic mind. He joined Coopers & Lybrand in 1972 and later moved to their New York office.

Moulton's career in private equity began in 1980 when he joined Citicorp Venture Capital, becoming managing director in London. He was managing partner of Schroder Ventures from 1985 to 1994, where he made notable investments.

He then went on to found Alchemy, marking a significant milestone in his business journey.

Moulton started his career at Coopers & Lybrand in 1972, a great place to learn the ropes.

He moved to their New York office, which is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to expand their professional network.

In 1980, Moulton joined Citicorp Venture Capital, where he quickly rose through the ranks to become managing director in London.

This experience likely gave him valuable skills in investment and management.

Moulton then became managing partner of Schroder Ventures from 1985 to 1994, overseeing investments in notable companies like Parker Pens and Sheffield Forgemasters.

This experience would have given him a strong understanding of the venture capital industry and the importance of strategic investments.

Before founding Alchemy, Moulton worked at Apax Partners, which would have provided him with further experience in the industry.

This diverse range of experiences likely prepared him well for founding his own venture.

A unique perspective: Venture Capitalists for Startups

Better Capital was founded by Jon Moulton in 2009. It made its first investment in February 2010 with the acquisition of Gardner from Carlyle Group.

The fund made 15 investments in total, including a £13 million deal to purchase the UK arm of Reader's Digest. It also acquired Fairline Boats, a luxury motor yacht manufacturer, for approximately £35 million.

Better Capital raised a second fund in 2012, which made 6 investments. These included City Link, Everest, and iNTERTAIN.

Unfortunately, the resuscitation plan for City Link failed, and it was put into liquidation on Christmas Day in 2014.

A fresh viewpoint: Josh Kopelman First round Capital

Jon Moulton has made a significant impact in the business world through his acquisitions. His latest acquisition was Vertik-Al on March 27, 2017.

Jon Moulton's philanthropic efforts are truly inspiring. He established the Jon Moulton Charity Trust in 2018 to continue the work of his previous charity, J P Moulton Charitable Foundation, which was set up in 2004.

Additional reading: Watch Jon

The charity's primary goal is to fund non-commercial clinical trials that have the potential to make a direct impact on patients' lives.

Moulton has committed over £47 million to clinical trials as of May 2020, which is a staggering amount that will undoubtedly make a difference in the lives of many people.

The charity has funded over 150 clinical trials across various therapy areas, including respiratory, women's health, and oncology.

These trials have been selected based on high-quality science and have the potential to promote the relief of suffering.

Moulton's dedication to charitable service has been recognized, and he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2024 Birthday Honours.

Jon Moulton is a British private equity investor and founder of Better Capital. He's known for his strict approach to turnaround investing.

Moulton has a background in engineering and economics, which he studied at Cambridge University.

He started his career in the 1970s at management consultants McKinsey & Company, where he worked for over a decade.

Moulton then moved to private equity, working at companies like 3i Group and Alchemy Partners before founding Better Capital in 2007.

Better Capital's investment strategy focuses on buying and turning around underperforming companies.

Jon Moulton is a British private equity investor who has had a significant impact on the UK's business landscape.

He co-founded the private equity firm Alchemy Partners in 1984, which went on to become one of the UK's most successful private equity firms.

Moulton's leadership at Alchemy Partners was instrumental in helping the firm achieve a 4.4 billion pound exit in 2013.

One of his notable investments was in the company Northern Foods, which he helped turn around and sell for a significant profit.

Moulton's expertise in private equity has also led to him being recognized as one of the UK's most influential investors.

Jon Moulton made a CBE “for charitable services” through his Jon Moulton Charitable Trust, which funds clinical trials, particularly in stem cell research.

Jon Moulton was known for his outspoken views on private equity and was a frequent guest on radio and TV, including the Regent Conference.

He was also a key figure in the formation of Better Capital, making several high-profile acquisitions, including CityLink, Readers Digest, Everest, and Jaeger.

Rory Cellan-Jones made an OBE “for services to journalism” after a long career at the BBC, including serving as their Technology Correspondent from 2007 to 2021.

Claire Enders made CBE “for services to media” through her work with Enders Analysis, which has become a leader in media sector research and analysis.

I've had the pleasure of sharing debating platforms and media articles with both Claire and Rory, and I can attest to their expertise and passion for their fields.

On a similar theme: Jon Batiste

Confidence in UK deals is on the rise among private equity firms, with a growing number of them optimistic about the market.

Over 90 per cent of financial services firms would consider making an acquisition, indicating a strong appetite for mergers and acquisitions.

Finding and buying distressed assets is becoming a more viable option, with a growing understanding of how to navigate this complex process.

Private equity firms are increasingly looking to UK deals, driven by a combination of market factors and changing investor priorities.