Justin as a story
My Pole Star is to participate in the rare.
*My ‘career path’ started when I was a 13-year old schoolboy; newly arrived in Britain, having been born in India and brought up in the US.
On a cold and windy Easter Saturday, I stood with my father on Hammersmith Bridge in London and watched the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race. I was transfixed by the pageantry, beauty and physicality of the event; all that it represented and all that was required to participate.
My father, a Cambridge Man, chided me. To row in the Boat Race, I would have to: learn to row; be good at it (to win a seat in the boat); as well as develop the smarts to be accepted at a ‘decent’ school. Then I might have a chance of winning a place at Oxbridge and the varsity crew.
The rare, difficult-to-acheive became my Polaris; and its characteristics continue to influence my life.
Nothing like ambition. I did win places at: Westminster - Oxford - the Boat Race. Then mny business career formally began.
Oxford begat five exciting and practical years working with Swires in Asia (Australia, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, the Gulf and Japan). This route led me to an MBA at Harvard Business School.
In 1988, following my heart (literally), my path took me to a family in Sweden as well as McKinsey & Co. 13 ‘go-go’ years resolving issues across industries and borders. The Nordics, Italy, Europe (West & East), Russia. I was known for ‘building clocks rather than telling the time’: winning clients; developing staff and founding offices. My sweet-spot was working with owners and decision-makers on seemingly impossible tasks and objectives, realising them.
Headhunted, I chose to participate in Accenture's creation in 2001, continuing with my M&A centric work. I then did stints as: a CEO in Greece (Delta-Vivartia); an academic in Sweden (Handesl/SSE) The Credit Crucnch offered me a series of successful bank restructurings in Sweden, the Baltics, Eire and Spain.
By 2012, I established a working and investment base in Tallinn (Raktas). Presently, I co-own a FCA-regulated investment boutique in London (Gate Capital) ; as well as offer my experiences, capabilities and services to those who appreciate challenges and the rare.
Success breeds success, but my third degree is from the University of Hard-Knocks.
I know that I know nothing; which drives my passion for ‘connecting dots’, even the non-obvious ones. It means listening to questions posed by those seeking to understand and improve their lot; helping them with their epiphanies and journeys. A process of many hues and full of mutual rewards.
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Justin Jenk: 40 year multi-sector global career as a: Consultant (partner at McKinsey and Accenture); market listed CEO; FCA regulated Chair and transformational investor (Raktas) - providing professional support to organisations and high-achievers.