David Ravel – From wealth and talent management to the film ‘Better Man’

David Ravel (LGS 1999) has a varied career and splits his time between finance and sports, media and entertainment. A recent project he has been involved with as an executive producer is the semi-biographical film about Robbie Williams’ rise to fame. We caught up with David to find out more about his time at School and the fascinating career he has had since.

Your Loughborough Story

Can you tell us about some of your fondest memories? 

Gosh, I have fantastic memories – from the morning meetings in the P block before registration with a group of my amazing friends, the great fun we had in CCF (Mr Beasley was a legend – both mad genius and great teacher), the pleasure of representing the School for Remembrance Sunday with the CCF, to some truly inspiring teachers, not least Mr McCabe, Mr Witts and Dr. Philips and my form tutor Mr Horwood for maths but also for giving us so much wisdom to prepare us for later life –and of course helping put on a 10 plus play!

I don’t think  I could single one fondest memory, the reality was it was an amazing time in my life I look back to with absolute pleasure.  The year I was in was academically very gifted, but more than that, they were all crazy supportive – many of us are still in touch to this day.  It was such an important part of making me who I am today – not least that we were always treated as adults, given room to speak, disagree with things if we had good reason and to argue our corner.  Sixth Form really set us up for university and led to lasting friendships.

How has your time at School influenced your life and career? 

LGS gave me the confidence that I could do anything I put my mind too.  We were never told we couldn’t do anything – and we are always empowered to do and achieve.  Mr Witts once said the best advice he was ever given was to question everything, challenge and enquire, don’t just accept – and that has really led to be an incredible piece of advice.

What do you wish you had known when you were in Sixth Form? 

I wish I’d relaxed a bit more and worried less about my career – the reality is School is so important, but it isn’t just about being academic, you have to enjoy yourself.  Also, our mistakes can be as valuable as the things we do right – and your path isn’t fixed, take time to find out who you are and what you love. If you do what you love, you will always do it well

Are you still in touch with your school friends or teachers today? If so, who? 

Yes – much of my year plus many from the years around – we also like to meet at the Loughburians’ Dinner when we can!

How would you described your time at School in 3 words? 

Empowering, fun, solid (it was always something you could rely on)

Alumni Career Wisdom

What led you to choose your career path? 

So, I always wanted to be a pilot (so why I did join the army CCF – mad I know!). I actually got my Pilot Private License at school and then went to university at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and got seduced into banking. I thought that Investment banking was the golden goose and hated it for three years.  Moving to private wealth gave me so much more of an informed view on what I loved and loathed and let me see what drove successful people.  That in it’s own right gave me the confidence to grow and network and define what my path would ultimately look like. LGS gave me great skills of resilience and drive and moving from the crazy hours of investment banking to wealth meant I had time free. I therefore started getting more involved in outside interests with my friends and network, and that opened up so many opportunities to diversify. Having the discipline of LSE and UBS IB gave me great technical skills, which paired with my social skills, allowed me to start taking on non-executive director roles with businesses, and also following my love of music, film and TV.  Over time I had grown a base of friends in all these roles and the fact they then saw I had solid financial skills along with the softer skills meant that I had the opportunity to cross pollinate so that the two worlds met and my talent friends became banking clients. Ultimately this led to me being asked to get involved in other parts of their lives –  meaning I then crossed the barrier to manage not only their money but parts, if not all, of their careers.  In return, I was then able to open the world of my wealthy family office clients up to them which has led me to them being able to drive funds into the creative space, financing a number of films and TV shows, the biggest of which so far is the Better Man movie, but there are a lot more in the pipeline for 2025!

Could you provide an outline of your job role?

So I have an unusual life now – somewhat of a “portfolio Career”.

My main role is with LGT wealth management where  I’d say I have very mixed responsibilities – 50% is focused on the financial and the other 50% is working on other opportunities which can help build out a client base in and around talent and private members clubs. Some of the highlights are Evolve Talent Group, Denis O’Regan Photography (one of the most famous rock photographers of the last 50 years), and working with one of the top aesthetic clinicians in the world.

The wealth management life collides with the non-wealth management life as many of my clients I look after at LGT began as people I met from the other side of my life so they cross pollinate rather wonderfully.

I am also the co-founder of the sustainable textiles alliance – a body made up of some of the largest clothing designers, manufacturers and retailers around the world, as well as tech and fabric tech companies developing solutions in the textiles and fabrics space to try and minimize the impact of this industry on the planet and to create better ways of doing business – essentially making the textiles space more sustainable

What are you career highlights? 

Gosh – this is a big question – I think being invited back to speak at my old University, LSE, working so closely with the Princely family of Liechtenstein, working with some of the most incredible people in the world of film, TV, sport and music and without a doubt, Better Man!

What’s one piece of advice you would give to current pupils thinking about entering a similar role to yourself?

I think I would say do what you love, don’t worry if things don’t work out, and most importantly, be useful – give before you ask and network smart

What job search tips would you give to pupils looking for a career in your industry? 

Use your networks – you may not realise you have them but you will – whether through friends and family or alumni.  But don’t just hammer people on LinkedIn – approach them with a bit about you and tell them why you want to connect.  Be ready to offer something you can do for them too!  And remember, competition is high – so stand out!  No one gives you a free ride

What are the key skills you need for your job role/to work in your industry?

I would say the ability to network, connect and be able to make small talk with strangers!  Also, the ability to think on your feet, to connect dots and process information quickly.

In recent years you have diversified your career in banking, can you tell us about this and did anything precipitate this change in focus?

So, I never changed the focus per-se, I found that my skills were transferable and that by being useful in a different capacity (advising those in the sports, film, tv and music world) on things outside of finance would lead them back to my job in finance.  Over time, you also work with people from entrepreneurial backgrounds – it teaches you a lot that gives you value you can then take back to companies irrespective of the industry to allow you to broaden your focus and do other things.  By trying to blend things that are synergistic, you can do more with less and that can be very useful.

How did you come to be involved in the upcoming ‘Better Man’ film?

So, I had been doing work with a lot of people in film and music, not least with Take That members past and present.  Through one of my contacts, it was flagged that Better Man was being made with the most incredible director, Michael Gracey.  We were connected and got on famously and it led me to the journey of working with him.

What’s next for you in terms of career? Any other projects in the pipeline?

So more of the same I think.  I am growing my talent roster with some really amazing names (more US now, some amazing premiership footballers, and some legendary people in film and music past and present), I have just taken on 2 new charity trustee roles, I continue growing the businesses I am a non-exec for, I am hoping to take on a new global role for LGT (early days of the conversation but watch this space), to help them build their roles with Talent.  I am also working on a couple of new movies and a new tv series so 2025 is going to be busy!

What ambitions would you still like to realise?

Gosh – so many things.  I want to help build the top business for talent in a private bank, which I hope will be under the umbrella of LGT, I also want to keep growing the footprint in the talent space.  I love being busy and I love taking on new projects, so watch this space.  I think if I can combine what I do in finance with talent and doing good in the world, that would certainly be the direction I would like to head in – what that looks like exactly I am not sure, but there are a few things bubbling so lets see where we are in 10 years!

Do you have any advice for current pupils/graduates who don’t know what to career path to follow?

Don’t be too troubled with what you do next – school and university are important but perhaps not always in the way you think.  Other than medicine, there are few careers you can’t pivot into.  I can’t tell you what a mix of different degrees I have seen from people across my life doing totally different things.  Lots of historians, philosophers, theologians, you name it in all different industries, from finance to film, so do what you love – you will be well set up no matter the path you choose to walk.

Do you have any hobbies that keep you busy in your spare time?

I still love flying when I can (I intend to get my PPL back at some point), I love travel and having had restaurants, I love to cook – most of my hobbies have become my work, so I am doubly lucky as I get to enjoy music and film and call it work – the dream!