The Dealmaker cover art

The Dealmaker

Lessons from a Life in Private Equity

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The Dealmaker

By: Guy Hands
Narrated by: Simon Shepherd, Guy Hands - introduction
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

An inside account of the multibillion-pound world of private equity and a masterclass on the art of deal-making.

The Dealmaker is a frank and honest account of how a severely dyslexic child who struggled at school went on to graduate from Oxford and become a serial entrepreneur.

It describes Guy Hand's career in private equity, first at Nomura and then as head of his own company, Terra Firma. It looks in detail at the huge deals that Terra Firma has done over the years, involving everything from cinema chains and pubs to waste management, aircraft leasing and green energy. And it offers a brutally honest appraisal of the one deal that turned sour - the acquisition of multinational music recording and publishing company EMI in 2007, just as a global financial crash loomed on the horizon. Above all, it takes the listener inside the previously very secretive world of private equity, explaining how this multibillion-pound sector operates and providing audio portraits of some of the larger-than-life figures who people it.

Both insightful and engaging, it will prove inspirational and essential listening for all those concerned with or interested in the world of investment.

©2021 Guy Hands (P)2021 Penguin Audio
Business Business Development & Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurship Professionals & Academics Inspiring Thought-Provoking

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All stars
Most relevant
An opportunity to learn from a Master. what ambitious and hard work really mean. A very personal view

Rare insight

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A very good book throughout and full of valuable business lessons from someone who has operated at the highest levels.

Thoroughly Enjoyable

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This is a brave book, where humility and pride are well balanced. It will inspire people with challenging childhoods and or learning challenges but also remind all readers that universal characteristics such as hard work, discipline, determination and ambition are a pre-requisite for any significant achievement. Simon Shepard's narration is also first class..

Honest and brave, An inspiring recollection.

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I revered Guy, knew of him, knew of his works. It’s amazing motivation of a man clearly motivated to make something great, no matter the cost. Very interesting biographical story.

Interesting, but not inspiring.

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Great story
Insightful
Good life lessons
Done it in two days. Returning from jersey to Glasgow in my car.
I’m a chef and took a lot from the audiobook.

Loved this audiobook

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