Meet Bruwer van Graan. He shares how his career has evolved from studying and practicing law to leading IDR’s Fund Subscription Team, what a typical day entails and why he’d recommend working in the private equity industry.
What’s your role and what does a typical day at IDR for you entail?
As the Deputy Team Lead for our Subscription Team, my role is to oversee the Team’s day-to-day operations and provide support where required. A typical day entails the building of Subscription Questionnaires, amending Subscription Agreements and working with our Fund Closing Team to ensure timely fund closes for our fund manager clients.
Working at IDR is a unique and exciting experience due to the one-of-a-kind service we offer. I believe that a simplified, one-stop service offering for the private markets is the future and is vital to ensure the industry keeps pace with the wider financial services sector. As we are a Fintech company, I enjoy the opportunity this affords me to work with our technology development team to ensure a smooth experience for all our clients and their investors.
What’s your professional background and how has your career evolved?
I studied BcomLLB at Stellenbosch University then completed my articles at a law firm in Cape Town. After being admitted as an attorney, I entered the private equity world and I have now been working in the industry for two and a half years. I was introduced to private equity by a colleague and quickly concluded that the industry has a bright future, and therefore is a great space to build a career. I’ve really enjoyed interacting with both fund managers and investors as part of my role whilst building my understanding of how the asset class works in the process.
What’s the best career advice you’ve received?
Even when you achieve success, always remember to send the ladder down for the next person.
In a personal capacity, what’s a moment or experience that’s had a big impact on who you are today?
I am not able to pinpoint an exact moment or experience. However, the opportunity given to me by my parents to study, and the support of my wife and family, has allowed me to grow to where I am today.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love spending time with family and friends. I also enjoy being physically active and regularly go hiking and jogging.
What’s on your bucket list?
One of my bucket list items is to one day see the Northern Lights!
If you’d like to join Bruwer as part of IDR’s rapidly expanding global team and help us change the paradigm of private markets investing visit our careers page.
