Grant Baker (businessman) explained

Grant Baker
Nationality:New Zealander
Occupation:Businessman, entrepreneur
Known For:Co-founding The Business Bakery, 42 Below, Turners Automotive Group, and involvement with Trilogy International

Grant Baker is a New Zealand businessman, entrepreneur,[1] and venture capitalist.

Early life and education

Grant Baker was raised in Māngere, located in the south of Auckland, New Zealand, with interests in motorsports from a young age. He attended teachers' college[2] with the intention of earning an education degree but left early to pursue a career in sales.

Career

Baker's career began with newspaper ad sales before moving to office equipment sales. He is best known for co-founding the successful venture capital firm The Business Bakery. He gained attention for his role in the creation and $132 million sale of 42 Below vodka to Bacardi in 2006.[3] As a chairman and principal of Auckland-based Business Bakery, Baker played a role in the $211 million takeover of Trilogy International by Citic Capital Partners.[4]

Following the sale of Trilogy, Baker, along with his business partners, turned their attention to Me Today, an NZX-listed health and skincare company.[5] [6]

During the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), Baker's venture capital firm invested in Dorchester Pacific.[7] [8] This investment was pivotal as Dorchester evolved into Turners Automotive Group, which emerged as a notable entity in the NZ50 index.[9] Baker's role transitioned to that of a non-executive chairman and a substantial shareholder in Turners Automotive Group.

Philanthropy

After having had bowel cancer, Baker co-founded the Gut Cancer Foundation, which aims to support research and increase awareness of gut cancers in New Zealand.[10] [11]

Personal life

Baker is a car collector, known for his collection of Ferraris.[12] He has been involved in motorsport racing in Ferrari's Challenge Series [13] as well as the support of young racing drivers, including Formula 1’s Liam Lawson.[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Big project in train for Baker's residential property fund . NBR The Authority since 1970 . en-NZ . 1 November 2023.
  2. Web site: My Net Worth: Grant Baker, chairman, Turners Automotive Group and Me Today . businessdesk.co.nz . en.
  3. Web site: 42 Below founder to be multi-millionaire . NZ Herald . en-NZ . 6 March 2024.
  4. Web site: The Business Bakery to enjoy a bigger slice of Trilogy International . NBR . 6 November 2023.
  5. Web site: Me Today board buys into more shares . BusinessDesk . 6 November 2023.
  6. Web site: Grant Baker, Geoff Ross and Stephen Sinclair purchase stake in Me Today . NBR . 6 November 2023.
  7. Web site: Business Leader of the Year Finalist: Grant Baker . NZ Herald . en-NZ . 6 March 2024.
  8. Web site: Vodka trio move into finance company business . NZ Herald . en-NZ . 6 March 2024.
  9. Web site: Turners to enter the S&P NZX 50 and MidCap Index - NZX, New Zealand's Exchange . www.nzx.com.
  10. Web site: Supercar show raising funds to fight cancer . Stuff . en . 16 October 2015.
  11. Web site: Anthony . John . Businessman's Ferraris raise cancer awareness . Stuff . en . 20 March 2015.
  12. Web site: Me & My Car: living life in Ferrari heaven . Driven Car Guide . en-nz . 10 November 2018.
  13. Web site: Ferrari Challenge Driver Grant Baker - Ferrari.com . www.ferrari.com . en.
  14. Web site: My Net Worth: Grant Baker, chairman, Turners Automotive Group and Me Today . BusinessDesk . 6 November 2023.