Wol Kolade

Wol has been instrumental in developing the Livingbridge strategy, leading the spin out from its parent F&C in 2005, growing the business and team as well as establishing a strong internal culture. He joined a predecessor of Livingbridge in 1993 and has led the business since 1998. His role encompasses overall responsibility for the leadership and strategic development of Livingbridge, senior-level involvement in winning deals and active involvement in selective key investments.

Wol initially trained as an engineer having studied civil and structural engineering at Kings College, London. After obtaining an MBA from Exeter University, he spent three years with Barclays before joining the Livingbridge predecessor.

Wol takes an active role in the wider private equity industry. He was previously the Chairman of the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, a Council Member and Chairman of the Responsible Investment Advisory Board and more recently co-founded the 10,000 Black Interns Initiative.

Wol was previously the Chairman of the Guy’s and St Thomas' Foundation with assets in excess of £1bn, making it one of the largest medical charities in the UK. The charity awards grants to facilitate improvements to healthcare services in the London Boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark. In 2018 he was also appointed to the NHS improvement board as a Non-Executive Director. The Board has been set up to help the NHS meet its short-term challenges and secure its future.

Wol received an honorary doctorate from the University of Exeter in 2014, and in 2021 was bestowed with the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) honour in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to Financial Services.