Jacob Gamble Quoted in Buyouts on Why Emerging Managers Need a CFO Early
Jacob Gamble, Principal and Head of Family Office Practice at Cowen Partners Executive Search, was quoted in Buyouts, sharing his perspective on why emerging fund managers shouldn’t underestimate the value of bringing on a CFO early in a firm’s life.
In the article “CFOs bring credibility to new firms,” Buyouts explored how institutional LPs increasingly expect professional-grade operations from emerging managers, and why the right finance leader is foundational, not optional.
Key Insights
- The CFO as Institutional Credibility: “They bring institutional credibility. It’s more than closing the books. They’re the entire engine of the finance side, in addition to investor relations, compliance, etc.”
- A Strategic Role, Not Just Accounting: “Some firms may be looking for something closer to a controller instead, someone to tackle the accounting side and run a tight ship, but the CFO is a far more strategic role nowadays. These CFOs need the presence and communication skills to communicate with LPs and eventually even mentor CFOs at the portfolio companies.”
- Why Fit Matters More Than Pedigree: Jacob noted that a candidate from a large brand-name firm may actually be less effective for an emerging manager, since they’re often doing narrower work. Someone who helped guide a firm from $100 million in AUM at founding to $1 billion may bring far more relevant experience.
- The “Learner” Path: For managers seeking someone who can grow into the role, Jacob suggested that controllers who have served as audit chairs have an edge in understanding how compliance and finance work together.
Jacob’s commentary provides valuable guidance for emerging managers navigating one of their most consequential early hires, and for finance professionals considering the move to a startup fund environment.
Read the complete article in Buyouts.
About Buyouts
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Part of PEI Group, Buyouts covers the full spectrum of the private equity landscape—from fundraising, deals, and exits to LP commitments, secondaries, GP stakes, and emerging manager activity. In addition to daily reporting, Buyouts provides proprietary databases, fund performance benchmarks, special reports, industry rankings like the Buyouts 100, podcasts, and a digital magazine.
Trusted by general partners, limited partners, and service providers across the industry, Buyouts serves as an essential resource for those navigating and shaping the US mid-market private equity sector.
For more information, visit Buyouts Insider.
Jacob Gamble, Principal
Their mission is to combine expert journalism with actionable analysis to help families and advisers navigate complex markets, preserve wealth and plan for the future.
Jacob Gamble is a Principal at Cowen Partners Executive Search, a leading executive search firm, where he specializes in identifying and recruiting top talent for C-suite and leadership roles in the financial services industry. With over 20 years of global experience in management consulting, investment banking, investment management, family offices, and corporate strategy, Jacob brings a wealth of expertise to his role.
Jacob rose to the level of Vice President of Fisher Investments, overseeing a $3.3-billion-dollar business line during his 13-year period with the company. He then worked as a Managing Director at Paulson Investment Company, a highly esteemed investment bank focused on the small to mid-cap markets. Jacob then became Paulson’s top executive of their bridge loan hedge fund.
After Mr. Gamble’s successes at Paulson, he moved into the CEO position at a publicly traded, multi-state drug rehabilitation franchise in which he completed a full-scale corporate reorganization, increasing shareholder value by nearly 300% before moving to Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Jacob has in-depth knowledge, contacts, and experience within the financial industries and specialized in the process of licensing, buildouts, and development of vertically integrated operations. Jacob also has experience in acquisitions of small private companies and operational integration of disparate businesses.
Jacob graduated from Oregon State University with a B.S. in General Science and an M.S. in Management from Florida Institute of Technology (with an HRM Concentration). Jacob was an occasional lecturer at the University of Oregon’s Charles H. Lundquist College of Business in portfolio management and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) investing for the Chartered Financial Analyst Society in Portland, Oregon. Jacob has also authored papers on the United States federal debt, corporate debt, and the Social Security Administration.
At Cowen Partners Executive Search, Jacob leverages his decades of comprehensive experience to help organizations secure transformative leadership talent.
Executive Search Expertise Across Investment Advisors & Financial Services
Cowen Partners brings institutional-grade executive search capabilities to investment advisors, family offices, and financial services organizations seeking leadership that competes at the highest levels of global finance.
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- Private Wealth Management: Identifying leaders who excel in building client relationships, portfolio strategies, and wealth preservation for high-net-worth individuals.
- Institutional Asset Management: Recruiting executives with a proven ability to manage large-scale investments, develop institutional strategies, and drive asset growth.
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- Infrastructure and Methodologies: Recruiting executives who build robust operational frameworks, apply disciplined investment methodologies, and create sustainable strategies for generational wealth.
- Investment Approach: Identifying talent skilled in aligning family values with investment strategies and managing diverse asset classes.
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- Portfolio Management: Placing investment professionals who deliver results through innovative strategies and disciplined risk management.
- Change Management: Recruiting leaders who effectively navigate organizational transformation, cultural shifts, and strategic realignment.
Steward: Executive Leadership for Family Offices in all 50 States
Steward, the dedicated family-office practice of Cowen Partners Executive Search, helps families secure executive leaders who preserve legacy, enhance stewardship, and position the enterprise for long-term success.
Whether the need centers on a disciplined Chief Investment Officer, a forward-looking Chief Financial Officer, or a steady, operationally minded Chief Operating Officer, our senior-partner-driven approach ensures a search defined by discretion, alignment, and strategic clarity.
For multigenerational families, first-generation wealth creators, and newly formalized family offices, we tailor every engagement to your governance structure, investment posture, and family objectives. The result is leadership that strengthens operational resilience while honoring the values that anchor the family’s identity.
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