Satisfaction Guaranteed: Robert Jenkins on what it means to be a Jacana Expert Mentor

The Jacana Expert Mentor role is a unique opportunity to use your own private equity or venture capital experience to make a direct and meaningful contribution to poverty alleviation in Africa. But rather than us telling you what it's all about, we decided to ask one of our existing Expert Mentors, Robert Jenkins, who has been working closely with InReturn Capital in Nairobi since June 2010.

What made you interested in the Jacana Expert Mentorship Programme?

I have always had an interest in international development but never really had the time to pursue my interest until about 5 years ago. Since then I have completed an MSc in Development Economics where my particular focus was the growth constraints on the SME sector in Sub Saharan Africa. I have also been involved in several charitable projects in Africa but what I learned from those experiences was that 1) It is really difficult to make a personal difference when you are operating either at a distance or outside of your own area of expertise and 2) organisations tend to be mainly interested in your ability to help them secure funding rather than your skills. At Jacana and InReturn I have been able to use my core skills learned while developing my own private equity business. This has allowed me to make a real impact. The experience has been extremely rewarding and enjoyable for me as I know my contribution is demanded and appreciated.

What kind of work do you do?

It’s pretty diverse and very, very real. When I arrive in Nairobi I have a full diary and enjoy working the long hours I was used to in my early career. I get involved in every single aspect of the business but what I enjoy most in being a deal team member helping to progress, structure, negotiate and close transactions. On my first trip to InReturn I was whisked off to Mombassa and from there drove 50 km north to meet the management team behind the proposed start up of Vipingo Stone Mining. I got stuck straight into due diligence talking with truck drivers about demand and visiting other competing sites, where the immediate impression was that miners worked in a challenging environment with no safety equipment at all. The one-on-one mentoring is another hugely enjoyable part of the work as every time I visit I notice a real improvement in the way the team operates, its approach to transactions and in the development of an investment pipeline. The work doesn’t stop when I leave Nairobi – there are weekly telephone calls and contacts by phone and e mail.

What do you get out of the experience?

Well, firstly I enjoy it. It has given me the opportunity not just to see a fantastic part of Africa, but to truly engage with both professionals and communities from that part of the world. Secondly, I know that I am making a difference and that my efforts are appreciated. The guys I am working with are very bright and professional and although they do not have long term private equity skills, they are learning very quickly. There is really so much that I can offer. It’s very rewarding to be able to engage at this level of detail and also to be able to pass on your skills in a way that makes a genuine difference.

What would be your advice to other senior private equity professionals who are interested in being a Jacana Expert Mentor?

I would thoroughly recommend it, one hundred percent. What I would say, though, is that if you are going to do the job properly and make a real difference, then you need to be very engaged; it’s no use doing a couple of hours a month. I spend one week every other month out in Kenya and have contact with the team at least 2-3 times every week, as well as the regular Monday morning management meeting. In total I would say it takes about a quarter of my time. Like everything in life, it’s a case of getting out what you put in.

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