#137 Michael Traill: Humble upbringings to co-founding Macquarie Capital's Private Equity arm, spotting talent & jumping ship to social impact!

The High Flyers Podcast with Vidit Agarwal

Michael Traill was the founding CEO of Social Ventures Australia from 2002 -14. Prior to this role, Michael spent 15 years as a Co-Founder and Executive Director of Macquarie Bank's private equity arm, Macquarie Direct Investment. In his time there, the Macquarie Direct Investment team invested in 43 businesses generating a gross rate of return of 32.3%. Michael chairs Australia’s largest charitable foundation, the Paul Ramsay Foundation, is a Director of Australian Retirement Trust, MH Carnegie & Co., Australian Philanthropic Services and Hearts & Minds Investments and was previously Chair of Goodstart Early Learning.

Michael also chairs the Federal Government Social Impact Investing Taskforce and is the author 'Jumping Ship - from the world of corporate Australia to the heart of social investment’, Winner Ashurst Business Literature Prize 2017.

In this episode #137 w Michael Traill, learn about:

His humble upbringing in country Victoria, with his father being the first in 4 generations to go past grade 10, Michael’s chip on his shoulder being the country kid and making it to rooms where he felt out of place like Harvard and Macquarie and success at age 18 being a career in politics but how he ended up in the business world.

I ask Michael about his reflections on his Harvard MBA and was that a hindrance or accelerant, his most painful learning and Questions he asks perspective candidates looking to join his team so he can understand them intimately.

And of course we cover how and why he jumped ship from the business world to social investment a day before his 42nd birthday, the difficult first year of making the transition, the role of superannuation in funding climate and impact solutions, and the legacy he wants to leave.

It’s now time to explore your curiosity. Please enjoy!

(Timestamps below)

***

Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter

Contact us via our website to discuss sponsorship opportunities, recommend future guests or share feedback, we love hearing how to improve!

Thank you for rating / reviewing this podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, it helps others find us and convince guests to come on the show!

***

💥 This episode is brought to you by Fullstack Advisory, Australia's top tech accounting firm, designed specifically for innovative tech founders and investors. They provide founder-friendly support across Accounting & Tax, R&D Tax Incentives, Bookkeeping, and CFO Advisory -- so you can focus on what you do best, innovating and growing your business. Get in touch with Stuart and the team today!

***

03:29 - Where were you born and live now?

03:48 - What was your first job and now?

04:22 - High Flyer in Michael’s life

06:03 - Father being the first in 4 generations to finish grade 10

08:48 - Chip on his shoulder

11:14 - Standing up and having a voice

12:08 - Influence of athletics and sport

14:44 - Success at age 18

16:25 - Career serendipity and entering business

20:32 - Unlocking opportunities thanks to Harvard MBA

25:10 - Fullstack message

27:34 - Founding the private equity business at Macquarie Capital

31:14 - State of Private Equity and VC

35:43 - Most painful learnings

38:53 - Questions he asks perspective candidates

42:21 - “Jumping ship” to from Banking to Social Impact

44:05 - First year of making the transition

49:57 - What’s different about the social purpose capital market?

54:28 - Role of superannuation in ClimateTech as Chair of $240B fund, Australian Retirement Trust

56:57 - Raising institutional capital for first time fund managers in impact investing

01:00:10 - Three questions to ask to have an impactful life

01:03:35 - Legacy

01:06:00 - Final sprint rapid fire

***