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’ve 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.