Hi, I’m Leo. At Airtree, I lead the capital formation team – which means I spend my days connecting leading institutional capital providers with ANZ’s world class technology ecosystem.

My route here ran through a decade in investment banking at Goldman Sachs, UBS and Citi, which introduced me to leading institutional networks and Australia’s thriving technology sector. The most energising part of covering tech was always the founders – who dedicate so much to building from scratch – and their capital backers, who make it all possible. This sparked a deep desire to do my part in propelling Australia’s tech and innovation ecosystem forward. Airtree has been the perfect place to do this at scale, while also driving outsized returns for our partners.

Behind the scenes of my role

‍More stamps in my passport than ever before. Capital formation is genuinely global work – I'm on the road internationally every couple of months, meeting with the institutions, sovereign wealth funds and family offices who back our founders, from the US to Asia, Europe and the Middle East. It's a lot of time zones, but there's something I find deeply rewarding about channelling the best global capital behind Australia's most ambitious founders.

A common thread throughout my career

‍An obsession with innovation and the thought-leaders driving it. In banking I covered tech companies, and no matter the deal or the sector, the conversations that stuck with me were always the ones with founders. That gravitational pull eventually became impossible to ignore – and here I am.

Here's where you'll find me on the weekend

In summer, I'm either out on Sydney Harbour sailing, or down at Bronte – usually doing some kind of water sport, but sometimes you’ll find me (partly) standing still fora change while surf lifesaving. Come winter, the slopes start calling, and I'm skiing every chance I get. When I'm not doing any of the above, I'm probably somewhere in the world I haven't been yet – which conveniently overlaps with the day job!