Paddy Woods Ballard

I enjoy helping investors and management teams cut through complexity, understand what really drives a business and turn robust commercial insight into confident decisions and practical growth plans. I am a Partner in Strategic Advisory and co-founder of Fairgrove, a Grant Thornton UK company. I advise private equity investors, corporate clients and management teams on commercial due diligence, growth strategy and value creation.

I have more than 25 years' experience in strategy consulting and investing. I began my career at L.E.K. Consulting, where I spent nine years, before moving into private equity with Octopus Investments. At Octopus, I invested in and sat on the boards of several portfolio companies, before co-founding Fairgrove in 2013.

My work focuses on business and financial services, and technology, with particular expertise in professional services, human capital and related software. I enjoy combining rigorous analysis with a founder and investor's perspective to help clients identify what really matters, challenge assumptions and find a clear route to sustainable growth.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing sport, travelling, and ideally combining some physical activity with a good meal. A perfect day might involve kayaking on the Norfolk coast on a sunny day followed by dinner at a local restaurant.