The Art of Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition

Bayes X at Bayes Business School is excited to host a high-impact event designed for aspiring acquisition entrepreneurs and search fund managers. This event will bring together acquisition-focused professionals, including entrepreneurs, search-CEOs, active and new searchers, and search fund investors from across the UK, to network, share insights, and explore key challenges and opportunities in the dynamic world of search funds and entrepreneurship through acquisition.

Join us for this valuable opportunity to learn from industry experts, engage with peers, and gain actionable insights into the world of entrepreneurship through acquisition.

Event Highlights

• Expert panels on acquisition strategies and business transformation
• Networking opportunities with seasoned entrepreneurs and industry leaders
• The event promises to provide a platform for exchanging valuable insights and forging connections that can fuel growth and innovation in the acquisition space.

About Bayes X

The Centre for Innovation and Disruption (Bayes X) aims to become a world-leader in innovation education and research. Working closely with its research fellows, Bayes X serves as a dynamic and intellectual hub for disruptors and members of the community interested in innovation in both start-ups, corporate and public sector domains.

Bayes X has two primary objectives:

• To act as an industry forum for the dissemination of rigorous academic research into practical industry applications.
• To develop education offerings (e.g. Executive Education) delivered by members of the Centre through the development of unique/specific knowledge (tools, teaching cases, etc.).

Panellists

Professor Costas Andriopoulos, Bayes Business School, Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Director of Bayes X and Associate Dean, MBA Programmes

Costas Andriopoulos is a Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Bayes Business School, City St George's, University of London. He is the author of numerous highly cited papers on innovation and the books Purposeful Curiosity (Hachette, 2022) and Managing Change, Creativity, and Innovation (co-authored, 5th Edition, Sage, 2025). At Bayes, he is the Associate Dean for MBA programmes and leads MSc, MBA, and Executive Education courses, encouraging learners to find solutions to big problems and take journeys into the unknown by starting new ventures or developing new products in large organizations. He also heads Bayes X (Research Center for Innovation and Disruption), one of the leading scholarly centers focusing on disruptive innovation.

Philippos Kassimatis, Maven Global, Co-Founder

Philippos is the co-founder of Maven Global, a capital markets advisory firm focusing on solutions for cross asset and M&A risk. Philippos is also the co-founder of Panthir Capital UK, an asset management firm nominated twice for Emerging Manager of the Year by S&P's Capital IQ. Previously he was a Managing Director and Global coHead of FX Structuring at Barclays Capital responsible for asset, liability and risk advisory solutions globally. He started his career with Merrill Lynch in New York in 1999 focusing on M&A / Derivative Financings, moving to London in 2003 with responsibility for the European FX Structured business. Philippos holds an BA/MA in Engineering from Oxford University, and dual degrees from Yale University - MA in International Economics and MBA in Finance. He sits on the boards of Brookstreet Equity Partners and YPO Greater London and is the Deputy Head of the Centre for Innovation and Disruption at Bayes Business School.

Jay Verjee, Addition Capital, Founder

Jay acquires businesses with unrealized growth potential. His portfolio includes:

• Academy+, an online leader in micro-accredited training courses
• Littlewood Group, the UK’s largest specialist supplier of barriers for infrastructure projects
• Future Motors, a supplier of energy-efficient motors for HVAC systems

Jay has been an "entrepreneur through acquisition" for over 10 years, beginning with his purchase of ISE Inc., a Toronto-based office furniture supplier, which he sold in 2016. Born in Nairobi, Jay earned his Law degree from Cambridge University and his MBA from Harvard Business School. He lives in London with his wife Nadira and their two young sons, Ayan and Ayden.

Ashwin Grover, Storal, Co-Founder

Ashwin co-founded Storal, an expanding group of children's nurseries and pre-schools in England, growing to over 30 sites through bolt-on acquisitions. Initially funded by individual investors from the US and European search-fund communities, Storal completed a majority recapitalization with Graphite Capital in 2023, achieving a full exit for early investors. Ashwin remains with the business as Chief Strategy Officer. He previously spent three years with Amazon.com, launching its UK Beer, Wines, and Spirits category. Ashwin holds a BSc in Economics & Management from Bristol University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Max Silver, Euston Ventures, Co-Founder

Max co-founded Euston Ventures in 2014, which acquires specialist B2B companies in industrial, manufacturing, and distribution sectors. Euston plays a hands-on role in the businesses, often acting as interim CEOs. Its portfolio includes:

• Ergochair Ltd, a leading UK manufacturer of bespoke seating
• Pimseal Ltd, a specialist in precision sealing technology
• Safespaces (Cornholme) Ltd, a healthcare equipment manufacturer and King’s Award for Innovation 2024 recipient

Max has acquired several companies across different sectors, including Cardel Ltd and Barton Fabrications Ltd. He holds degrees from Oxford University and Harvard University and lives in London with his partner and three young boys.