ECI Partners expands its leadership team by appointing Gillian Fox and Orlando Machado as growth specialists in London private equity firm

London-based private equity firm ECI Partners has expanded its panel of Growth Specialists with the appointment of two experienced professionals, Gillian Fox and Dr. Orlando Machado.

The firm, known for backing mid-market growth companies, is reinforcing its advisory capabilities across key strategic areas.

Focus on People and Culture: Gillian Fox Joins the Team

Gillian Fox steps into the role of Growth Specialist with a strong focus on people and organisational culture.

With more than 25 years of experience in senior human resources leadership, Fox brings a wealth of expertise from top-tier organisations such as Reckitt, Aviva, and RBS, among others.

She has also served in key leadership positions at Euromoney Institutional Investor and Allen & Overy, and founded her own advisory firm, Optimal People, which focuses on people performance.

In her role at ECI, Fox will work closely with portfolio company leadership teams to strengthen organisational culture, refine leadership strategies, and enhance employee engagement.

Her work will centre on helping businesses build stronger team dynamics and create compelling workplace environments that contribute to long-term value creation.

Fox takes over from Lesley Davies, who is stepping down from the position.

Driving Data and AI Strategy: Dr. Orlando Machado Joins

Dr. Orlando Machado joins ECI as Growth Specialist for Data & Artificial Intelligence, bringing over three decades of experience in data science, analytics, and AI-driven transformation.

His career includes senior roles at major organisations such as the LEGO Group, where he served as Chief Data Officer, as well as leadership positions at WPP, dunnhumby, and Aviva.

Within ECI’s portfolio, Machado will help management teams leverage data and AI to make better business decisions, uncover growth opportunities, and build scalable, future-ready systems.

His role is designed to ensure that companies remain competitive in an increasingly data-driven business environment.

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The Role of Growth Specialists at ECI

ECI’s Growth Specialists form a flexible panel of independent experts who are engaged on a project basis to support portfolio companies.

They contribute across several core areas, including people and culture, technology and data, sales and marketing, mergers and acquisitions, and international expansion.

This structure allows companies within ECI’s portfolio to access specialised expertise precisely when needed, helping them tackle specific challenges and accelerate growth initiatives.

About ECI Partners and Its Investment Approach

ECI Partners manages funds worth approximately £3 billion and focuses on investing in growth-oriented businesses with enterprise values of up to £300 million.

The firm operates as both a majority and minority investor, depending on the needs of the business.

Beyond providing capital, ECI offers hands-on operational support.

Its platform enables portfolio companies to access expertise in areas such as acquisition strategy, market expansion, employee engagement, and technology scalability.

This integrated approach is designed to help management teams build stronger, more resilient businesses.

Impact and Consequences

The addition of Fox and Machado signals ECI’s continued emphasis on strengthening both human capital and technological capabilities within its portfolio companies.

With Fox focusing on culture and leadership, and Machado driving data and AI innovation, the firm is positioning itself to address two of the most critical drivers of modern business growth.

For portfolio companies, this means greater access to specialised expertise that can directly influence performance, efficiency, and long-term competitiveness.

It also reflects a broader trend in private equity, where operational value creation is becoming just as important as financial investment.

What’s Next?

Going forward, ECI’s Growth Specialists are expected to play a more active role in shaping strategy and execution across its portfolio.

As businesses increasingly rely on data-driven insights and strong organisational culture to scale, the contributions of Fox and Machado will likely become central to how ECI supports its investments.

The firm is expected to continue expanding its advisory capabilities in line with evolving market demands, ensuring that its portfolio companies remain agile, innovative, and well-positioned for growth.

Summary

ECI Partners has strengthened its expert advisory panel by appointing Gillian Fox and Dr. Orlando Machado as Growth Specialists.

Fox will focus on people and culture, while Machado will lead efforts in data and AI.

Their appointments enhance ECI’s ability to support portfolio companies across critical growth areas, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to delivering both financial and operational value.

Bulleted Takeaways

• ECI Partners appointed two new Growth Specialists: Gillian Fox and Dr. Orlando Machado
• Fox brings 25+ years of HR leadership experience and will focus on people and culture strategies
• Machado has over 30 years of experience in data, AI, and analytics, including roles at the LEGO Group
• Growth Specialists provide flexible, on-demand expertise across key business areas
• ECI manages approximately £3bn in funds and invests in growth-focused mid-market companies
• The appointments strengthen ECI’s focus on human capital and technology-driven growth