Senior Management Team
Riaz Punja
Financial Managing Director
Riaz Punja has expertise in the media and entertainment sectors. He originated the investment in UCI and led the EMI and Odeon acquisitions as well as the bolt-on acquisitions in Spain and Italy. Prior to his role as Financial Managing Director, Riaz managed the deal origination function and was a member of the Investment Advisory Committee.
Prior to joining the group in 1998, Riaz was a member of Nomura International’s Risk and Exposure and Capital Committees. He began his career with Arthur Andersen before moving on to Babcock International PLC and then CSFB.
Riaz is a Chartered Accountant and holds a BA (Hons) in Economics and an MA in Marketing from Lancaster University. He was awarded a faculty scholarship.
Riaz’s interests include reading, music, squash, tennis and walking safaris within East Africa. He is also involved in working with young Africans to help them develop their business ideas and concepts.