Grant Baker (businessman)

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Grant Baker
Grant Baker.webp
Grant Baker Portrait Image
Born1957 (age 66–67)
NationalityNew Zealander
Occupation(s)Businessman, entrepreneur
Known forCo-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, widely recognized for his involvement in high-profile business ventures and for his contributions to the New Zealand entrepreneurial landscape.

Contents

Early life and education

Grant Baker was raised in Mangere, 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 notable 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 pivotal role in the $211 million takeover of Trilogy International by Citic Capital Partners. [4]

Following the successful sale of Trilogy, Baker, along with his business partners, turned their attention to Me Today, an NZX-listed health and skincare company, which they believe has the potential to replicate Trilogy's success. [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 his battle with 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 an avid 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]

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References

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