Jan Oosthuizen

Investor

Building relationships

In my view great businesses are built on the shoulders of great teams. I’m fascinated by the process of building a high performance team and look for founders who invest in this and inspire the people around them.

Background

Growing up in Bristol as part of a large family, I quickly developed a deep appreciation for teamwork, resilience, and adaptability—qualities that have shaped my journey ever since. At Queen’s University Belfast, where I pursued both a BA and a MA, I not only honed my academic abilities but also embraced the entrepreneurial spirit, getting involved in several early-stage start-ups. These ventures ignited my passion for problem-solving and strategic thinking, planting the seeds for my future career.

Initially drawn to the legal profession, I completed my studies at law school in York. However, my entrepreneurial experiences and love of financial strategy led me to pivot into accounting. At EY and PwC, I gained invaluable experience in audit, restructuring, and corporate finance, building a robust skill set for tackling complex challenges.

In 2018, I joined Mercia to help establish its Newcastle office, relishing the opportunity to build something new. As the office grew, so did my responsibilities, eventually expanding to a national focus.

At Mercia, I am focused primarily on investments in the consumer and software space at the Series A stage.

  • Rugby
  • Cooking
  • Movies