
PEOPLE
Our people are integral to the success of our ventures. We are always looking to hire innovative and intellectually curious people who are interested in driving change.
OUR PEOPLE
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Manoj Badale - Managing Partner
Manoj is Managing Partner and a Co-Founder of Blenheim Chalcot, the UK’s leading digital venture builder. Blenheim Chalcot traces its roots back to netdecisions which Manoj and business partner Charles Mindenhall co-founded back in 1998.
Until 2022, Manoj was the Chairman of HRH The Prince of Wales' British Asian Trust. He was also Chairman of Operation Smile UK for over ten years, and a founding Trustee of the Technology Trust.
Manoj has an MA in economics from Emmanuel College, Cambridge University and was formerly a partner at Monitor Company where he spent time in the UK, Germany and India.
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James Howlett - Principal
James joined Emerging Media Ventures in 2022, leading on investment execution, financial structuring and capital raising across the portfolio.
Prior to joining EMV, James was at private equity firm Asante Capital, working on a variety of primary, secondary and co-investment transactions across Europe, totalling over $2.1bn.
James graduated from University College London with a BSc in Geography.
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Jyoti Cushion - Head of Legal
Jyoti is Head of Legal, providing advice & guidance to portfolio companies and communicating the risks and legal complexities associated with business.
Prior to joining EMV, Jyoti spent ten years as General Legal Counsel at TDX Group (a Blenheim Chalcot portfolio company), until it was sold to Equifax in 2014.
Previously, Jyoti worked in private practice specialising in commercial litigation.
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Luke Brice - Investment Associate
Luke joined Emerging Media Ventures in 2024, supporting investment execution and venture building across the portfolio.
Prior to joining EMV, Luke was in the Barclays International Corporate & Private Banking team and BNP Paribas UK Generalist M&A team, where he worked on a range of financial sponsor and corporate client transactions. Most recently, Luke worked in the investment team of software investor Tern Capital.
Luke graduated from the University of Southampton with a BSc in Economics and has an MSc in Finance from University College London.
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Brij Kantaria - Investment Analyst
Brij joined Emerging Media Ventures in 2022 assisting across capital raising, investment execution and venture building.
Prior to joining EMV, Brij worked in business incubation at Red Ribbon Asset Management where he supported the building and prototyping of a digital bank aimed at the UK/India market.
Brij graduated from the University of Warwick with a BSc in Economics.
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Hugh Olliver - Investment Analyst
Hugh joined Emerging Media Ventures in 2024 assisting across investment execution and venture building.
Prior to joining EMV, Hugh worked in the cricket department at Hawk-Eye Innovations, providing real-time analysis for live broadcasts such as Sky and BBC and operating UltraEdge for the 2023 IPL final.
Hugh graduated with a BEng in Chemical Engineering from Newcastle University.
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Craig Stevens - Finance Director
Craig joined Emerging Media Ventures in 2024, leading on financial management, reporting and FP&A.
Prior to joining EMV, Craig was finance director at various Blenheim Chalcot portfolio companies in the property and technology sectors. Craig’s previous experience includes fundraising and acquisition due diligence, structuring and implementation across the UK, US, and Africa.
Craig qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG and holds a BSc in Finance and Accounting from the University of Cape Town.
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Sir Andrew Strauss - Strategic Advisor
In this time as a Strategic Advisor at EMV, Andrew has driven the performance of our cricket portfolio through the creation and implementation of the Royals’ ‘What It Takes To Win’ strategy.
Prior to joining EMV, Andrew was an English international cricketer. Throughout his career, Andrew played in 100 Test matches, including 50 as captain, and scored over 7,000 runs in the process. During his time as captain, Andrew led England to become the World Number 1 Test side in 2011 and won the Ashes both home and away.
Following his playing career, Andrew was Director of England Cricket between 2015-2018. In this role he oversaw the revolution in England’s limited-overs cricket, culminating in their World Cup victory in 2019. In 2019, Andrew was appointed Chair of ECB’s Cricket Committee.
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Andrew Wildblood - Strategic Advisor
In his role as a Strategic Advisor at EMV, Andrew provides support and insights across our cricket portfolio, specifically regarding the growth of international franchises.
Andrew has over 30 years of experience in the business of sport and is a leading contributor to the commercial development and growth of value in multiple sports assets. Andrew’s involvement in cricket began in 1990; over 2 decades he represented the commercial interests of several international cricket boards. In his role as an Executive Vice President at IMG, Andrew was at the forefront of the creation of the IPL in 2008 and the CPL in 2013.
LET’S GET IN TOUCH
We are always looking to hear innovative ideas, build new relationships
and meet talented people.