Roula Khalaf, Editor of the Financial Times, shares insights into her journey from a diverse background to her current role in private equity. Before attending Cranfield School of Management, Khalaf transitioned from a portfolio career that included coaching in sports performance to establishing her own recruitment business. Her hands-on experience in business development allowed her to grasp essential concepts that would later enrich her understanding during her MBA.
Khalaf’s decision to pursue an MBA stemmed from her father’s positive experiences with the program. Although initially anxious about the academic rigors at Cranfield, she found the curriculum to be highly personal, emphasizing individual growth. Her intention was to enter the corporate sphere, but she discovered a different calling that emphasized her desire for direct impact in decision-making.
During her MBA, Khalaf engaged in various projects focused on sustainability and social impact. This led to the creation of Colab-8 Consulting, which assists early-stage entrepreneurs facing growth challenges. Her continuing relationship with Cranfield fostered ideas for Oakmere Partners, a private equity firm geared towards assisting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in achieving sustainable growth through innovative investment strategies.
Khalaf envisions Oakmere as a unique player in the private equity landscape, targeting UK SMEs with a focus on long-term success. The firm is already working on several promising business ventures, and Khalaf expresses optimism that Oakmere will become a leading acquisition partner in the UK market.
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