Getting to know... Peyman Atapour

In the latest instalment of Bdaily’s Getting to know... feature, which looks at the person behind the business profile, Peyman Atapour, investment manager at LDC, talks about thriving under pressure, his passion for supporting entrepreneurs and why the North East is such a great place to live and work.

We know you as an investment manager at LDC, but who is the person behind the title? Tell us a little about what makes you tick…

I’m fascinated by people and businesses – understanding what drives them, how they operate and what makes them unique. 

It’s about uncovering the story behind the numbers and building relationships that create real impact. 

I thrive under pressure and love the sense of achievement that comes with completing transactions. 

Outside of work, I’m very much a people person and love to socialise, whether that’s meeting new faces or spending time with friends and family.

Did you always want to work in private equity?

I always wanted to be a footballer, and I haven’t quite given up on that dream… yet!

More seriously, since studying accounting at Newcastle University, I’ve always been interested in business and finance, so private equity was a natural career path.

I spent seven years at KPMG, initially within the corporate tax team, before moving to the corporate finance advisory team, where I had the opportunity to support a range of businesses in achieving successful equity events.

What’s the best bit about your job? And the worst? 

I love meeting and working with entrepreneurs and founders. 

Their passion and enthusiasm are inspiring, and it’s a privilege to support them at such significant moments in their lives and their businesses’ journeys. 

Helping them achieve their ambitions is hugely rewarding.

There isn’t really a ‘worst bit’ – there’s never a dull moment! 

It can be fast-paced and you’re constantly juggling priorities, but that’s part of what makes the role exciting. 

It keeps you sharp and ensures you’re always learning. 

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement? 

In October, I was closely involved in LDC’s significant investment in Shoptimised, a performance marketing agency based in Tyneside that helps retailers increase online sales.

It’s an incredibly exciting business with huge potential, and I’m looking forward to working with the management team to see where we can take the business over the next few years. 

I’m also on the board of Cleveland Group, the UK’s largest supplier of shipping containers. 

Since LDC backed Cleveland’s management team in 2022, the business has achieved phenomenal growth: more than doubling headcount from 45 to 100, expanding with depots in Scotland, the Midlands, the South West and Wales, and growing at around 30 per cent year-on-year. 

Being part of that journey has been hugely rewarding. 

How do you relax outside of work?

I enjoy tennis, going to the gym and supporting Manchester United (although I’m not sure how relaxing that is!)

What makes the North East such a great place to live and work?

The people. I’m probably biased, but the North East is a fantastic, close-knit and thriving business community supported by a brilliant network of advisors.

It’s vibrant, collaborative and full of exciting opportunities to invest across different sectors. 

As an example, we work regularly with Dynamo, a not-for-profit tech sector business membership organisation in the North East, whose members are committed to growing the region’s tech sector and encouraging collaboration.

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