Sapphire Capital Partners is proud to be participating in the Ulster University Graduate Boost Programme

We are thrilled to welcome Jake Hatch to the Sapphire Capital Partners team! Joining us through Ulster University's Graduate Boost programme, Jake brings a fresh perspective from his MSc in Entrepreneurship and a background in HR and Operations. We sat down with him to discuss his move to Northern Ireland and his goals for the weeks ahead.

From Academic Theory to Investment Practice

Q: You've recently completed your MSc in Entrepreneurship at University College London. How do you plan to apply that academic mindset to the real-world investment environment at Sapphire Capital Partners?

Jake: "My time at UCL really developed an exploratory mindset that I think will serve me well here. The coursework wasn't just theoretical; we worked on real investment appraisals and due diligence exercises, and I had the opportunity to work directly with founders, understanding their challenges firsthand. That experience taught me to look beyond the numbers and really understand the people and vision behind a business.

Now I'm ready to transition from academic theory to practical application. I'm confident about jumping into the practical work; after extensive academic preparation, I'm eager to see how investment decisions actually unfold in a real-world environment. The Graduate Boost programme gives me the perfect structure to make that transition successfully."

Building a Professional Identity

Q: Beyond the day-to-day work, the Graduate Boost programme includes a specific module on 'Demonstrating your Professional Identity.' What specific skills or personal growth are you hoping to unlock through this mentorship?

Jake: "The 'Demonstrating Your Professional Identity' module is exactly what attracted me to this programme. I'll be honest; I have limited previous company experience, so I'm prioritising successful integration above everything else. The programme provides structured onboarding support that's invaluable for someone in my position: daily progress monitoring, regular feedback implementation, and professional development tracking.

What I'm hoping to unlock is a genuine understanding of how to operate effectively in a professional investment environment. It's about learning the unwritten rules, understanding team dynamics, and building the confidence to contribute meaningfully. The mentorship aspect means I'll have experienced professionals helping me navigate that journey, which takes so much of the guesswork out of the process. I'm focused on long-term success through proper short-term integration—doing the foundational work now so I can add real value as I progress."

From Hong Kong to Northern Ireland

Q: You're no stranger to new environments, having spent a year abroad at the University of Hong Kong. Compared to that experience, how are you finding the move to Northern Ireland, and what are you most looking forward to exploring here?

Jake: "The Hong Kong experience was incredible, but moving to Northern Ireland feels very different—and in many ways, more supported. I have a strong family support network here already established. My mother and sister live locally, and my grandparents are from the area, so there's a real sense of coming home even though I'm from England originally. That's a huge advantage compared to Hong Kong, where I was much more on my own.

Outside of work, I'm really into hiking and exploring new walking routes, so Northern Ireland is basically paradise for me! I'm planning to explore well beyond the Belfast area—the Mournes, the Causeway Coast, Fermanagh... Having family here means I already have people showing me the hidden gems that tourists never find. It's the perfect combination of professional opportunity and personal adventure."

The One-Sentence Pitch

Q: Your CV mentions you were once shortlisted for a 'Best Business Pitch' award. If you had to pitch your main goal for this internship in one sentence, what would it be?

Jake: "Developing into the best version of myself, both personally and professionally, integrating everything I've learned academically with the real-world investment environment so I can build a foundation for long-term success."

About the Graduate Boost Programme

Ulster University's Graduate Boost programme provides recent graduates with structured work placements, combining practical industry experience with a 15-credit academic module focused on professional development. The programme supports graduates in building their professional identity through mentorship, daily progress monitoring, regular feedback, and skills development with leading organisations across Northern Ireland.

We're excited to be partnering with Ulster University to provide Jake with meaningful experience in investment management, and we look forward to supporting his development over the coming months.

Welcome aboard, Jake! Here's to an exciting journey ahead.