Ari Zaphiriou-Zarifi

Founder of Kestrel in 2009 and Chairman until January 2021, I continue to have an active role in the business, sitting on the Investment Committee and providing advice and guidance on Kestrel’s strategic growth plans.

Throughout my career, I have worked closely with UK smaller companies. After qualifying as a chartered accountant, I started at J Henry Schroder Wagg before becoming Chief Executive of Heritable & General Investment Bank, which was sold to Landsbanki. In 2001, as Chairman, I led the IPO of plant centre Blooms of Bressingham. I co-founded and was Chairman of Beeson Gregory, and was Chairman and a major shareholder in a commercial property company sold to Hammerson in 2006.