David Sainsbury

Functions as a College/University

Waterman is a long-term, conservative manager which prudently acquires and operates medium-sized, established businesses across sectors through a mix of debt and equity. They do not invest in early-stage companies or those in property, resources or primary industries exposed to the elements. Their geographic focus is on New Zealand. The firm seeks to invest in companies with a track record of profitability and positive cash flows, holding their companies to grow and enhance the value of their portfolio for the benefit of shareholders. They do not acquire businesses with the intention to re-sell them. Waterman seeks significant influence over key strategic and financial decisions of their businesses, working with the vendor over a transitional period to ensure a smooth handover for the business and where possible to shield, staff, suppliers and customers from the sale process. The firm's subsidiaries are managed either with the vendor continuing as General Manager for a period of time, with an internal candidate as General Manager or with an experienced candidate drawn from Waterman's managerial database. All three options are considered on a case by case basis and are discussed openly with the vendor.