Founder-CEO, Serial Acquirer Platform; Global

Hampton River is an investment firm built around a simple idea… the best long-term returns come from patiently acquiring and compounding high-quality businesses over decades, not flipping assets on a fund timeline. We partner with proven operators to build enduring, decentralized holding companies across niche industries.

We invest globally across the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand.

We seek to work with founders obsessed with equity efficiency (no giant capital raises) and operational excellence.

This is a rare chance to build and run your own acquisition-led firm with institutional backing, long-duration orientation, and genuine autonomy.

You will be the Founder-CEO of a new Hampton River platform… setting strategy, sourcing and executing acquisitions, building the operating system, and compounding capital over the long term. There is no pressure to deploy capital quickly, no forced exits, and no traditional private equity playbook.

For the right person, this is a career-defining role.

You must have an idea of what you want to build (sector/s, geography, thesis, list of targets).

You must have relevant experience to be considered for the role. You must have a long time horizon (15+ years).

If you have never acquired and operated businesses before, your application will not be considered. Developing close relationships with business owners and intermediaries takes effort and skill.

Acquiring and operating companies successfully over many years is hard. It requires a clear plan, strong judgment, and the ability to execute from day one. This is not a role with training wheels or a long ramp period…it’s a seat for someone with a gameplan who knows the terrain and is ready to build something specific for the long term right away.

• Originate, execute, and integrate acquisitions of high-quality small and mid-sized businesses
• Serve as CEO of the platform, overseeing capital allocation, operating performance, and leadership development
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with business owners, lenders, advisors, and intermediaries
• Improve acquired businesses through pricing, systems, talent, incentives, and disciplined reinvestment
• Allocate capital patiently across acquisitions, organic reinvestment, and balance sheet management
• Build a durable, decentralized organization designed to compound value over decades

• Prior operating and/or investing experience inside a best-in-class serial acquirer or high-quality investment firm
• Deep knowledge of best-in-class serial acquirers and their capital allocation, operating, and cultural playbooks
• Demonstrated track record of acquiring businesses and materially improving their performance
• Clear entrepreneurial spirit… builder mindset rather than asset manager mentality
• Existing network of business owners, lenders, brokers, and intermediaries that enables immediate deal sourcing
• Strong judgment around valuation, deal structure, and downside protection
• Operationally credible and comfortable working with management teams and in the details
• High patience, discipline, and long-term orientation
• Low ego, high ownership mindset… motivated by building something enduring
• Distinct edge in acquiring businesses due to network and know how

• A well-articulated thesis on what and/or where you want to build a long-term compounding platform
• Prior experience helping shape investment strategy or sector selection

• We typically do not pursue narrow, single-industry rollups
• We favor flexible mandates that allow intelligent capital allocation across related niches over time
• This role rewards judgment, adaptability, and long-term thinking rather than rigid industry specialization

• Not a traditional private equity role
• Not a short-term carry optimization exercise
• Not a banker or consultant role in disguise

• True CEO autonomy with aligned institutional capital
• Long-duration mindset and incentives
• Ability to build a firm in your own image
• Open mandate with long duration
• No forced exits or artificial timelines
• Opportunity to create generational wealth through disciplined compounding

Flexible… North America, Europe, or ANZ.

If you have learned inside great serial acquirers and are ready to build something of your own for the long term, this role was designed for you.

Please send CV, track record of success and specific note with what you want to build.