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Baird Private Equity is one of the only private equity firms with the breadth and depth of global experience and resources focused on the lower middle market. The Baird Private Equity team includes over 60 investment and operating professionals operating in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Baird Private Equity is sector focused with deep industry knowledge and a successful track record of investing in Business Services, Manufactured Products and Healthcare companies. Over 30 investment professionals in the United States, Europe and Asia are complemented by operating partners and senior advisors. Our dedicated team of 15 operating professionals in China and India allow us to provide our portfolio companies with unique access to Asia sales/distribution, sourcing, and manufacturing opportunities. Learn more about us below.
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Managing Partner
312-609-5498
Gordon is the Managing Partner of Baird Capital. Gordon concentrates on acquisition opportunities in the Industrial and Consumer Products sector with a particular focus in consumer and healthcare companies. Gordon serves as the Chairman of the Investment Committee for Baird's U.S. Private Equity and Venture Capital groups. Gordon also oversees Baird's Asia operations team, which provides manufacturing, sales and distribution support to portfolio companies in Asia.
Prior to joining Baird, he served as a principal with One Equity Partners. Gordon was also the founder and CEO of The Pangaea Group, an international consulting firm, which specialized in assisting the portfolio companies of private equity firms to establish strategic alliances in China.
Gordon currently serves on the Board of Directors of Backyard Leisure Holdings, Ellman International, Medical Education Technologies, Inc., NAC Marketing, Inc (New Vitality) and Baird Asia Limited.
Gordon earned a BA in Economics and Asian Studies from Colgate University, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, with a concentration in Finance and Management Strategy.
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Managing Director
+44 (0)207 667 8138
Andrew joined Baird Capital's U.K. Private Equity team in 1996 following the acquisition of North of England Ventures, where he had been responsible for managing the regional fund for the North East. Prior to joining North of England Ventures in 1993 he spent seven years with Price Waterhouse, latterly in corporate finance. Andrew has an Economics degree from Warwick University.
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Managing Director
+44 (0)207 667 8357
Chris joined Baird Capital's U.K. Private Equity team in 1990, having previously spent time at Security Pacific Eurofinance and Arthur Andersen, where he qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Chris plays a key role in the business services sector team.
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Managing Director
+44 (0)207 667 8457
James joined Baird Capital's U.K. Private Equity team in April 2002. He previously worked for Pi Capital and PricewaterhouseCoopers after time spent as a civil engineer on major transport infrastructure projects in the U.K. James is a Chartered Accountant and holds a first class honours degree in engineering.
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Managing Director,
Portfolio Operations
+44 (0)207 667 8346
Dennis joined Baird Capital's U.K. Private Equity team in September 2006 from Harris Watson Holdings. With over 20 years of relevant operational and financial experience, he focuses on assisting investee company management teams to maximize the value of their businesses. Dennis trained with Singer & Friedlander, has a Joint Honours degree in Accounting & Law, and holds a master's in Business Administration from Warwick Business School.
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David Barrass
Operating Partner
+44 (0)20 7667 8400
David has worked with Baird Capital since 2007. With strong skills in leadership, negotiation and commercial management in sales and service organizations, he has served as CEO and Chairman of many U.K. and international companies. At present, he serves as Chairman of portfolio companies Castlecare Group portfolio companies Castlecare Group Ltd and Gabbro Precision Ltd. David also serves as a Non-Executive member on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' Strategic Advisory Board for the Food and Environment Research Agency. Previously, he served as the Chairman/CEO of BCPE portfolio company ArmorGroup International plc. David is a key partner of as he brings strong Managing Director and Chairman experience from a variety of sectors with a particular focus on Business Services and Manufacturing.
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David Fraser
Operating Partner
+44 (0)20 7667 8400
David has partnered with Baird Capital for over 17 years and is a key part of our Manufacturing team. David was Chairperson on two successful exits for Baird Capital (Paddock and Cooling Power) and has acted as Chairperson of eight additional European Manufacturing Companies. David spent the bulk of his early career at United Science Holdings PLC where he acted as Chief Executive, Group Operations Director and Managing Director for various Asian subsidiaries.
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John Hubert
Operating Partner
+44 (0)20 7667 8400
John has worked with Baird Capital for over 12 years and has acted as Chairperson for our Business Services (specifically Recruitment) business portfolio. He has been involved in 3 successful exits (from Investment to completion) for Baird Capital (Capital Group, Elan, Aston Carter) and he is a revered and respected figure in the industry. John brings a wealth of Senior Management experience having assumed Chairperson roles with 7 companies and roles as Managing Director / General Manager for several leading business services / consumer firms (EDS and Unilever).
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Tim Trotter
Operating Partner
+44 (0)20 7667 8400
Tim began working with Baird Capital when we invested in Ludgate in 1996. Tim had founded Ludgate in 1991 and was the CEO when the business was sold to Interpublic in 1997. Tim was subsequently appointed Deputy Chairman of Interpublic's global public relations division, Weber Worldwide. An experienced Chairman, Tim brings a wealth of management experience across the business services sector. Tim has joined the board of our newest portfolio company Nigel Wright Group.
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Partner,
Portfolio Operations
312-609-4930
Rob Ospalik is a Partner with Baird Capital. He is responsible for Baird Capital's Portfolio Operations program. He joined Baird Capital in 1999 after two years in Baird’s Investment Banking Group. Rob previously served as a Certified Public Accountant at the Price Waterhouse LLP audit and business advisory services practice in St. Louis. He is a director of Pentagon Technologies Group, and graduated with a BS in Accounting from Washington University in St. Louis.
Rob also serves on the Board of Directors for the Old Town School of Folk Music.
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Chief Operating Officer
312-609-4664
Scott is Chief Operating Officer for Baird Capital. Prior to joining Baird in 2005, Scott served as Chief Financial Officer for LaSalle Capital Group, a Chicago-based middle-market private equity firm. In addition, Scott has worked extensively as a service provider to private equity firms as a member of Ernst & Young's Transaction Advisory Services group. Scott's experience also includes commercial banking and audit. Scott received his MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.
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Partner, Investor Relations
312-609-4677
Aaron is a Partner with Baird Capital, managing Baird Capital's relationships with current and prospective investors in the United States, Europe and Asia and overseeing its business development, communication, sales and marketing activities. Aaron is also involved in broader strategic and new product development initiatives. Aaron joined Baird Capital in 2008 and has thirteen years of private equity and entrepreneurial experience. He was previously a Principal at private equity fund-of-funds manager Muller & Monroe, where he was a member of the firm’s investment team and helped manage the firm’s investor relationships. Prior to Muller & Monroe, Aaron spent time with two venture capital firms and was Director of Marketing at a venture-backed software company. Aaron began his career as a James H. Dunn Fellow in the press office of former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and received his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
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Vice President,Investor Relations
312-609-5445
Nicole is a Vice President on the Investor Relations team at Baird Capital. Prior to joining Baird Capital in 2012, Nicole was a Vice President of Marketing/Investor Relations with 2100 Xenon, a Chicago based alternative investment firm, where she was responsible for the development and execution of the firm’s global institutional marketing strategies. Before 2100 Xenon, Nicole was a regional consultant in the Investment Management Division of Goldman Sachs, and also worked as a portfolio specialist for Calamos Investments, where she communicated the firm’s investment process and strategies to institutional clients. Nicole began her career at Baxter International as a financial analyst. Nicole received a BS in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
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