James Bakewell Bio

James joined Agathos in 2022 as a Partner and Investment Committee member. He is focussed on making new investments and developing market leading service-oriented businesses across Business Services, Compliance, Healthcare and Education sectors. James has a passion for supporting the growth of founder-owned, founder-managed businesses in the UK. He thoroughly enjoys the challenge of identifying clear and unique strategies and harmonising teams around a shared vision to deliver fast-paced growth. James has spent the last 15 years investing in growth-focussed UK businesses and advising Private Equity backed businesses. He has spent his career working closely with management teams to identify, create and develop exciting growth through a combination of organic and acquisition-led strategies. Directly prior to Agathos, James was an Investor at August Equity LLP, specialising in the creation and growth of people-led and tech-led services businesses across the UK, often with a regulatory-driven proposition. Prior to this, James spent 8 years at a boutique strategic growth consultancy, FreshMinds, leading a team of strategy consultants focussed on market analysis, commercial due diligence and business strategy development for Private Equity, Financial Services and multinational Professional Services businesses. He is also the Chairman of a local school’s Development Group, a team set up to support the raising of Bursary funds to enable wider access and life-changing opportunities for young people who would otherwise not have the opportunity to attend the school. When not in the office, James will likely be found outside, enjoying time with his family (wife, Jo and three children, Emily, Archie and Wilf) or behind a BBQ accompanied by friends, whatever the weather!