New face at Nova

Patrick Austen, a former executive director for CRBFL private investment trust, has joined Nova Capital Management, the specialist management company for private equity and venture capital portfolios.

Austen brings extensive operational experience in a variety of businesses, including turnarounds and corporate restructuring. He has held a number of executive posts within UK corporates and investment trusts and has been actively involved in the restructuring and commercial growth of these businesses. Before joining Nova, Austen was chairman of a number of CRBFL investee companies, including Vax and Phoenix Timber. Previously, he was the chief executive of Liberty plc, where he reorganised and restructured this luxury London retailer and textile manufacturer. Prior to this he was group chief executive of BTR Consumer Products with responsibility for brands such as Pretty Polly, Dunlop and Slazenger. Austen has over 35 years’ business experience.