James Smith

Having worked with several of its portfolio companies in his role as CEO and co-founder of Burlington Strategy Advisors, James knows Actis better than most. Over the years, he found himself consistently impressed by individuals focused on delivering investment returns but sensible about the practicalities of operating in emerging markets. In September 2012 he decided to join the team. James believes private equity has an important part to play given Africa’s relatively immature capital markets and that Actis, with its long history on the continent, is uniquely well-placed to respond. Recently, he has been working with Mouka, and for him this embodies the opportunity: the transformation of a successful family business into a professional corporate entity operating in one of the world’s most exciting consumer markets, in this case Nigeria., James began his career at Palabora Mining Company before moving to Bain & Company in 1998. He has a BSc in Chemical Engineering from Wits University.