Rob Reid

Founder and operator

Before Motion, Rob ran a digital marketing agency that was acquired by Stagwell, founded a specialist B2B information and conference business that became the global leader in its category, and managed $500m of assets as CEO of a publicly listed investment fund.

He was also an early mover in medical cannabis and psychedelic healthcare, incubating start-ups across Europe, North America and Latin America, with multiple exits including three companies that are now public.

Dealmaker and investor

Rob has been involved in hundreds of international transactions as a founder, advisor and investor. He is a seasoned deal marker on his own business as well as spending many years as Partner of an M&A firm and CEO of a start-up incubator. He brings an investor's rigour to the numbers and a founder's feel for what a business is really worth, and to whom.

Where it started

Rob’s first business was an electronic music promoter in the late 1990s. He was deeply involved in the culture, organising raves across Dublin and other Irish locations. That instinct for culture and trends has stayed with him ever since. He is a qualified journalist and a graduate of UCD Smurfit Business School.

At Motion

Rob co-founded Motion Advisory Partners with Rick Palmer to help the founders and investors behind distinctive agencies build scale and realise shareholder value. He works directly with every client, from the first conversation to completion, with a particular focus on strategic options, buyer relationships and the structure of a deal.

Focus

• Advising other founders on growth and exit, helping them realise the value they have built.
• Instinct for culture and distinctive agencies across digital, experiential, content, sport, design and the opportunities that sit between them all.
• International network and investor relationships spanning Europe, North America, APAC and Latin America.