UK-based alternative investment manager Octopus Investments has appointed former Capital One executive Karl E.
UK-based alternative investment manager Octopus Investments has appointed former Capital One executive Karl E. Jentoft as marketing director, responsible for overseeing the development of the firm’s marketing and brand strategy as it expands its retail investment product offering.
Jentoft (photo), who will report to Octopus chief executive Simon Rogerson, has significant financial services and entrepreneurial expertise, having overseen the development and implementation of business and marketing strategies for both start-up businesses and multi-national corporations.
A one-time management consultant at McKinsey, he was previously founder and chief executive of City Living Ventures, a Washington DC-based real estate development company specialising in multi-family residential and mixed-use projects, retail and commercial development and real estate development consulting.
He earlier spent four years with the Neighborhood Development Company, another Washington real estate firm, as executive vice president and head of development and subsequently co-chief executive. He was responsible for overall execution of the company’s business development strategy and for securing and structuring finance for transactions.
Jentoft’s retail financial experience includes 10 years at Capital One, where he was responsible for overseeing the organisation’s expansion into non-credit card-related businesses and establishing the brand within the Canadian market. He held various senior executive positions including director of the prime mortgage division, director of corporate development and president of Capital One Services (Canada).
‘We are delighted to welcome somebody of Karl’s calibre to the team,’ Rogerson says. ‘His extensive expertise within the retail finance arena, combined with the success he has enjoyed in developing dynamic and rapidly growing businesses, mean that he brings a very appropriate skill set and well-matched experience. We look forward to drawing on his expertise as we forge ahead with the expansion of the Octopus brand.’
Says Jentoft: ‘I have been extremely impressed with the strong track record Octopus has established as a provider of investment products. This is a very exciting time for the company and it is great to be joining a team who are so driven in their determination to transform the range of products and levels of service available to retail investors.’
Established in 2000, Octopus Investments provides investors with access to a range of investment products including venture capital trusts, enterprise investment schemes, inheritance tax solutions, business property relief products and UK equity Oeics, and has more than GBP600m in funds under management.
