Ari Zaphiriou-Zarifi

Founder of Kestrel in 2009 and Chairman until January 2021, Ari continues 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 his career, Ari has worked closely with UK smaller companies. After qualifying as a chartered accountant, he started at J Henry Schroder Wagg before becoming Chief Executive of Heritable & General Investment Bank, which was sold to Landsbanki. In 2001, as Chairman, he led the IPO of plant centre Blooms of Bressingham. Ari 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.