“From the outside, our setup looked really impressive. We were engaged with several banks across different jurisdictions and supported by a wide spread of assets. In practice it was exhausting. I had folders and logins everywhere and still couldn’t say, in one sentence, how we were actually positioned.

When Rapier Ventures stepped in, the first thing they did was listen without judgement. Then they sat with us and walked through each relationship and each portfolio, one by one, until we could see everything laid out clearly. The work was detailed, but the conversations we had were straightforward.

We didn’t feel pushed into dramatic changes. Where a bank deserved to stay, it stayed. Where something no longer made sense, they explained why and helped us unwind it. Sure, fees came down, but the bigger shift was that we finally felt in control of our banking life instead of just reacting to it.”

“Selling my business was exhilarating and disorienting at the same time. Overnight I went from being all-in on one company to having a significant cash position with everyone telling me what I should do with it. Rapier Ventures were the first people who didn’t rush me. They wanted to understand what I wanted my money to do for me. We spoke about my family, future projects, how I handle risk, even how I like to work with advisers.

What followed was a structure that made sense to me. Some of the capital is working for the long term and some is available if life changes or opportunities appear. When new proposals arrive now, we look at them together.”

“My time is mostly spent in the operating company. For years, my personal finances were managed in fragments. I would look at a bank statement on a plane and tell myself I’d deal with it properly later, but I never really did.

Working with Rapier Ventures changed that without taking over my life. We always meet with a clear agenda. They send me material in advance. We decide what needs to be done and then they get on with it.

The biggest difference I’ve noticed is a psychological one. I’m no longer wondering what might be lurking in the background, thinking about the kinds of disasters that might sneak up on me. I know there is a team keeping an eye on things, and when something needs a decision, it comes to me at the right time and in the right format.”