The Mergers Podcast
The official podcast of The Mergers! Listen to learn from those currently rising up the ranks in High Finance and from those who have already built their empire! Frequent guest episodes including those who run their own Private Equity, Family Office or Venture Capital Firms! We cover:- Industry Insights into: Investment Banking, Private Equity, Venture Capital- Bulge Brackets to Niche: Goldman Sachs & Blackrock to Sports & Media Private Equity.- Career Advice for how to get ahead.Expect a healthy mix of anecdotes, advice and laughs from those at the top of their game!
Reflecting on a career picking unicorns (Ft. Jon Coker - Co-Founder, Eka Ventures)
Jon Coker is the Founding Partner at Eka Ventures - the UK's largest early-stage impact VC, which has just closed an £80M Fund II. Before founding Eka, Jon spent 11 years at MMC Ventures, rising from analyst to Co-Managing Partner and backing some of Europe's most iconic consumer companies: Interactive Investor (£1.7B exit), Gousto, Bloom & Wild, and Mubi. In this episode, he breaks down the frameworks behind those picks; why the road less travelled is often safer; and the counterintuitive reason sustainability and commercial returns aren't just compatible - they're companions.
What you'll learn:...
Investment Banking for startups [Jason Kirby, Founder, Thunder.VC]
What happens when a founder exits multiple startups and then builds a start-up focused Investment Banking platform from scratch?
In this episode, Rory and Ken sit down with Jason Kirby — founder of Thunder VC, ex-founder of LiquidSky (acquired for $40M+), and an advisor on over $200M in startup transactions.
Jason shares the raw truths about venture capital, selling companies, the AI investment bubble, and how founders can protect themselves during M&A deals.
Key topics we cover:
The real story behind his $40M+ startup ex...My 2 Cents: Leaving Banking to found an AI Company [Rob Cossins, Scribe.AI]
Rob Cossins (Co-founder & CEO, Scribe) on the real founder journey: why entrepreneurship is not for everyone, the seven-year build-up from Barclays to AI/data, and how to decide when to raise (and when not to). We get into failing his very first interview (PE at BlackRock), why the jobs are still there (it's just more competitive) and why your founder network is your unfair advantage.
Rob explains what Scribe does (AI data extraction for private markets), what incumbents miss about adoption, and why the best founders sell the vision before...
Tech, Banking & Surviving 2008 [Thomas Hughes, Workera]
Tom Hughes’ career has been anything but normal.
He started out as a Dublin kid tracking stock prices on BBC Ceefax, went into equity research before the ’08 crash, and then got 'super-fired' like thousands of others.
From there he somehow blagged his way into Bloomberg with a bold doorstep pitch. He’s moved through private capital research (Gartner), relationship intelligence (Affinity), commercial leadership roles, and now into the world of AI and enterprise upskilling at Workera - where an “AI mentor” isn’t just hype, it’s the actual product.
In this episode we talk about...
Operator, Founder, Investor - ft. Hanna Lewis - ep. 22
In this episode of The Mergers, we sit down with Hanna Lewis, investor at Blue Wire Capital and former operator turned founder with unrivaled experience across all aspects of Entrepreneurship and VC.
From making burritos in San Diego to becoming Chief of Staff at a hyperscaling tech company, Hanna's path into venture capital was anything but linear. She shares candid reflections on her journey including building a startup automating HR with AI agents, to pitching over 100 VCs (and why it ultimately fell apart), to her current role backing the next generation of European tech founders.
...
Cyber Security, The SAS & Kidnapping - ft. Jonathan Palmer - ep. 21
In this episode of The Mergers, Rory and Ken sit down with Jonathan Palmer (JP) — a cybersecurity pioneer who’s worked with elite intelligence units, Fortune 500 firms, and accidentally acquired the patent for secure internet transactions.
With a journey spanning decades — from setting up his first tech company on a pasting table in Putney to running global encryption deals across most of the world — JP unpacks the gritty reality of cyber risk, organised crime, AI threats, and why so many CEOs are still flying blind.
🔐 What we cover:
How JP found his w...Running a $30m Hedgefund aged 21 - Ft. Marceau Dova - ep. 20
From £3,000 to a $30 million hedge fund by age 21.
In this explosive episode of The Mergers, we sit down with Marceau Dova, the 21-year-old founder of MCD Capital. He takes us through the wild journey of building a hedge fund from scratch at university - starting with £3,000, bootstrapping with student researchers, selling newsletters to prop firms, and ultimately landing institutional backing.
We cover:
His first 250K of trading capital and how they convinced early investorsWhat happened during their first major drawdown and attempted hostile takeoverThe software that powers their quant trading engine—and why a Swis...Writing a unique career story from Markets to Media [Eric Markowitz, Nightview Capital]
From investigating corruption in the prison system to identifying the next decade’s biggest investment opportunities, Eric Markowitz has built a career on deep research, contrarian thinking, and long-term conviction.
In this episode of The Mergers Podcast, Ken and Rory sit down with Eric - Managing Partner & Director of Research at Nightview Capital - to discuss:
From a Bedsit to MD at BlackRock [Special Guest - Henry Odogwu]
From a small bedsit in South London to Managing Director at BlackRock - Henry Odogwu’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. In this episode of The Mergers Podcast, Rory and Ken sit down with Henry to discuss:
Growing up in a Nigerian immigrant household: How his father's journey from bank manager in Nigeria to security guard in London shaped his work ethic.Breaking into finance with no traditional background: How he pivoted from mechanical engineering to high finance.The reality of being the only Black graduate in his cohort: Navigating a wor...From Kitchens to Capital Calls: A Transatlantic Journey in Finance
In this episode of The Mergers Podcast, Rory and Ken welcome Laila, a trailblazer in fund finance with an inspiring journey. Now at Validus Risk Management, a boutique firm facilitating over half a trillion dollars in trades, Laila shares her unique insights into the world of private capital management.
Starting her career at PNC Financial Services (a $75 billion market cap bank), Laila ascended from intern to Associate Director in under five years - a meteoric rise in the corporate world. But her path took an unexpected twist when she stepped away to pursue a passion for cooking...
Media-for-Equity, ITV's Vision for VC [Member Guest - Mahim Husnain]
In this episode of The Mergers Podcast, Ken and I sit down with Mahim Husnain, Investment Associate at ITV Adventures, to dive into the relatively new media-for-equity model reshaping venture capital. Discover how ITV leverages its reach-over 70% of UK households-to empower startups, scale brands, and disrupt traditional VC approaches.
Key topics include:
📺 The power of TV advertising in building trust and brand recognition
🤝 How media-for-equity works and why it’s changing the game for startups
🐶 Unique trends in consumer tech: From health and fem tech to pet tech
🌍 Mahim’s journey through KPMG, private equity...
Breaking into Venture Capital [Member Guest - Karan Chouhan]
In Episode 15 of The Mergers Podcast, Rory and Ken sit down with Karan Chouhan, Series B and C investor at Valiance, to explore the dynamics of venture capital, career transitions, and finding the right team to make big ideas work.
From his early days in finance at Barclays and KPMG to transitioning into venture capital through Mountside Ventures, Karan shares an inspiring journey filled with bold moves and lessons learned. Discover how he leverages operational and financial expertise to navigate VC’s challenges, build conviction, and identify startups poised for success.
Ke...
An Institutional Approach to Cryptocurrency [Special Guest - Charlie Preston, Copper]
Welcome to Episode 14 of The Mergers Podcast!
In this episode, Rory and Ken dive into the rapidly evolving world of crypto and institutional finance with Charlie Preston, Relationship Manager at Copper, one of the UK’s leading crypto companies. Copper's cutting-edge custodial solutions are reshaping how institutions securely trade and hold digital assets, and Charlie shares invaluable insights from his frontline experience.
Highlights:
Breaking Barriers in Venture Capital [Special Guest - Eleanor Kaye]
Breaking Barriers in Venture Capital [Special Guest - Eleanor Kaye]
In this episode of the Mergers Podcast, we’re joined by Eleanor Kaye, Managing Director of the Newton Venture Program, to discuss her unconventional career path and mission to democratize access to venture capital. From her early career in media to her transformative role at Palantir, Eleanor opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her journey.
We explore:
Eleanor’s unique transition from Media Studies to leading a VC training program.Her time at Palantir and how it i...The hidden truth about Investment Banking [Member Guest - Hector Mendez]
In Episode 12 of the Mergers Podcast, The Merger's member, Hector Mendez gives an inside look into the demanding world of investment banking. With 6 years of experience leading major tech M&A deals, including a $250 million sale to Ripple Labs, Hector shares what it really takes to succeed in IB—from mastering financial models to navigating the intense "up-or-out" culture. He also offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into recruitment, explaining how he filtered through 1,000 intern applications to hire just one or two: “500 were good, but we could only take a couple.”
Hector provides practical advice for those entering the field...
Advising the best Venture Backed Entrepreneurs
In this episode, Rory and Ken are back from a busy summer to sit down with Asif Ahmed, Head of Early Stage, Tech & High Growth at Cooper Parry. Known as the rebels of accountancy, Cooper Parry is shaking up the industry—and Asif’s career path is just as unconventional. From his family-business roots to his role in PwC and advisory positions, Asif shares how he’s managed to carve out a unique niche in a competitive field.
We dive into Asif’s insights on the current state of his industry, the future of work, an...
How to manage billions in Treasury? [Special Guest - Imran Siddiqi]
In this episode we Navigate Treasury Management & Careers with Imran Siddiqi, Head of Treasury at Juni. With a rich background managing Treasury functions at Bitpanda, Belmont Green Finance, and Paragon Banking Group, Imran shares his expertise on navigating liquidity, interest rate risk, and the ever-evolving financial landscape. Tune in as we explore his career journey, discuss the current market shifts, and dive into the innovative tools reshaping Treasury operations. Whether you’re an aspiring professional or a seasoned expert, this episode offers invaluable insights into Treasury management’s core functions and future direction... Along with plenty of career advice for...
Generational Wealth, Emotional Intelligence and M&A
In this deeply introspective episode of The Mergers Podcast, Rory and Ken are joined by Basil, whose journey spans from a family empire in Sudan to the world of M&A. This conversation dives into the intersection of legacy, business, and leadership, offering invaluable lessons for entrepreneurs, professionals, and those navigating family businesses.
Key highlights include:
Picking your path: A run down of Investment Banking to VC
Join us in this insightful episode of "Mastering Finance Roles," where industry experts Tucker, Rory, Ken, and Josh break down the key responsibilities and career paths in Investment Banking, Research, Venture Capital, and Investor Relations/Sales. Dive deep into the lifecycle of M&A deals, discover the core strategies for tech investments, and learn the nuances of building and maintaining strong investor relationships. If you're a student looking to start your career - this episode provides a comprehensive guide to thriving in the dynamic world of finance. Tune in to gain invaluable insights, practical tips, and expert advice on...
Venture Capital - From Zero to Hero
Go from Zero to Hero on all things Venture Capital in this episode featuring Josh from QVentures, Rory of Barclays, and Ken of Backfuture VC. This episode covers everything from round size (Pre-Seed to Series C), Sectors (Biotech and B2B SAAS), and why firms like Sequoia dominate deal flow.
Get insiders' views on the dynamics of fundraising - for VCs and Entrepreneurs. The critical role of pitch decks, financial models and networking. Learn about the roles within VC firms, from financial modeling to managing deal flow, and understand the financial backbone of VC operations, including fees...
Private Equity Masterclass [Special Guest - Matt Spetzler]
Dive into the high-stakes world of music and tech Private Equity investments with Matt Spetzler, Partner and Co-Head of Europe at Francisco Partners, managing $45 billion in capital. In this episode, Matt reveals the strategies behind transformative tech investments and his journey from engineering to equity. Explore how Francisco Partners shapes the tech landscape through strategic investments and the impact of AI on the industry. Gain insights from Matt's transition from strategy consulting to leading tech private equity and learn about the traits necessary for success in this dynamic field - including how to get a job at Francisco! Matt...
Using AI to assess Start-Ups [Special Guest - Billy Gallagher, Prospect]
In this episode of The Mergers Podcast, Rory and Ken are joined by Billy Gallagher, founder of Prospect, to explore the intersection of venture capital, startups, and career decision-making. Billy brings a wealth of experience, having started his journey at Stanford, covering early tech giants like Snapchat and DoorDash, and later joining Rippling as employee #30, helping scale it to 1,000 employees.
Key Highlights:
Family Office Socials [Special Guest - Sam Nallen-Copley]
Welcome back to The Mergers Podcast! In this episode, host Rory Mason, along with co-host Josh, sits down with Sam, who runs London's premier Family Office Network. With a jaw-dropping backstory that spans Japan, Paris, Papua New Guinea, and beyond, Sam’s journey from a martial arts enthusiast and journalist to a key player in the family office world is as non-traditional as it gets.
Key Highlights:
Investment Banking, Family Offices and... Discus! [Member Guest - Evergreen Capital]
Welcome to another episode of The Mergers Podcast, where we explore unique journeys and hard-earned insights from leaders in finance, venture capital, and family offices. In this episode, host Rory Mason is joined by special guest Russell Tucker, a former All-Africa Games champion turned investment banker and family office GFO managing over £100 million, alongside co-host Ken.
Key Highlights:
Sports Private Equity [Special Guest - Chiron Sports Group]
In this episode of The Mergers Podcast, Rory sits down with Leo and Sam, the visionary co-founders of Chiron Sports, to discuss their groundbreaking approach to investing in sports assets and driving growth in the world of football and beyond.
Leo, with a background in law and private equity, and Sam, who transitioned from real estate private equity, share their experiences stepping into football operations and forming Chiron Sports. Backed by prominent family offices like Christian Angermeyer’s Apeiron Investment Group, they’ve taken on the challenge of modernizing sports investments. From owning stakes in lower-league European club...
Unconventional routes into Venture Capital
Welcome to the first-ever episode of The Mergers Podcast! Hosted by Rory, Ken, and Josh, this episode introduces the hosts, their backgrounds, and the vision behind The Mergers—a platform for connecting young professionals in finance through networking, insightful discussions, and a touch of fun.
Key Highlights:
