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Grant Baker (businessman)

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Grant Baker
Grant Baker
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.

Early life and education

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Grant Baker was raised in Māngere, 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

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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 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 role in the $211 million takeover of Trilogy International by Citic Capital Partners.[4]

Following the sale of Trilogy, Baker, along with his business partners, turned their attention to Me Today, an NZX-listed health and skincare company.[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

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After having had 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

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Baker is a 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]

References

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  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.