Name: Wol Kolade

Personal Assistant: Bee Patel

Telephone: 020 7506 5601

Email: wol.kolade@isisep.com

Title: Managing Partner

My job is to lead the ISIS team. My workload is varied; from meeting management teams of prospective new investments or visiting existing portfolio companies to explaining “why ISIS?” to potential new investors. A few years ago, I was appointed to Chair the Private Equity Industry Association. It was a difficult time for the industry but I learnt a whole lot of new skills and met some very interesting people. PE doesn’t operate in a vacuum and increasingly I find myself explaining to government, the media and other stakeholders that the work we do with entrepreneurial companies is hugely beneficial to the wider economy.

I am a Kings College London engineering graduate and I have an MBA from Exeter Business School. I started my career with Barclays in 1990 and after short period in various Head Office roles I joined a predecessor firm of ISIS in 1993. I remember learning about “venture capital” as it was called back then in an economics class at my secondary school and from then on it was very clear to me what I wanted to do. I am utterly fascinated by the world of business and PE gives me the privilege of being able to interact with some of the UK’s best and brightest business people.

About me
Little known fact: In 1985, I won the Sussex U19 hurdling championships. My favourite sport is Eton Fives, which I have played since I was 11 years old.

Most likely to say?
Think it through…..

Outside of work I… I have a big family and love company so most weekends, we are either entertaining or being entertained. I am also a bit of a movie buff.

Perfect day: 
Hurtling down a ski slope with family and friends on a crisp winter’s day, in brilliant sunshine.

What makes me get out of bed in the morning?
The sheer variety of my work - and the opportunity to make a real impact.