Hazel Moore Net Worth: Deconstructing the Fortune of the FirstCapital Co-founder

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Introduction: The Significance of Hazel Moore OBE

In the highly competitive and often opaque world of investment banking and mergers & acquisitions (M&A), few names stand out with the consistency and professional distinction of Hazel Moore OBE. As the co-founder and Chairman of FirstCapital, an international investment bank focused on high-growth technology companies, Moore has dedicated her career to advising and facilitating some of the most critical deals in the European tech ecosystem since 1999.

The pursuit of understanding Moore’s net worth is not merely about a number; it is an investigation into the financial rewards of pioneering a specialist, tech-focused investment bank and successfully navigating multiple economic cycles, from the dot-com bubble to the contemporary fintech revolution. Moore’s financial success is directly tied to her firm’s proven track record of delivering premium valuations—averaging a 50% premium for clients since 1999—a testament to her “Smarter Dealmaking” approach.

This comprehensive analysis will project an estimated net worth for Hazel Moore OBE in 2025, detailing the key components of her wealth: equity value in FirstCapital, income from advisory fees, and compensation from her extensive non-executive directorships and public service roles.

The Estimated Net Worth of Hazel Moore OBE in 2025

For a co-founder of a private, successful, and specialized investment bank, the vast majority of their wealth is derived from their equity stake in the firm. While precise figures are private, an estimate can be derived from the firm’s longevity, transaction value, and comparable industry valuations.

Based on her position as co-founder and Chairman of FirstCapital, her consistent professional earnings from advisory work and board positions, and the firm’s long-standing success in high-value M&A deals, the estimated net worth of Hazel Moore OBE in 2025 is projected to be in the range of $10 million to $50 million.

Contextualizing the Estimation

This range reflects the fact that investment banking, even at the mid-market level, is exceptionally lucrative, and founders benefit significantly from the firm’s overall success:

Founder Equity Value: As co-founder, she holds a substantial percentage of FirstCapital. A successful, profitable investment bank, even a boutique, can command a high valuation based on its consistent fee income and successful deal flow (e.g., advising on the sale of Multimap, Parkopedia, and 24sessions to major international buyers).
Annual Partner/Chairman Income: Top investment bank partners earn substantial annual compensation from firm profits and deal bonuses, often reaching into the high six figures or low seven figures annually.
Non-Executive Director (NED) Fees: Her high-profile board roles, such as the one at British Patient Capital and BBB Investment Services Ltd, provide significant additional income, typically tens of thousands of pounds per year per role.

The Cornerstone of Wealth: FirstCapital and Smarter Dealmaking

Hazel Moore’s primary source of wealth is the success and longevity of FirstCapital, the investment bank she co-founded with Jason Purcell in 1999. The timing and focus of the firm were critical to its financial success.

The Strategic Specialization in Technology

Moore co-founded the firm with a specific specialization: providing M&A, private equity, and growth capital advice exclusively to high-growth technology companies. This focus allowed FirstCapital to:

Command Premium Fees: Specialized expertise in a high-growth sector like tech allows for higher fee structures than generalist banks.
Navigate Global Deals: The firm has built an extensive global network and has successfully sold European tech companies to major US tech buyers, including Microsoft, Apple, Google, and IBM. These high-profile, cross-border deals are typically the most lucrative.
Codify Success: Moore’s firm is known for its proprietary SMART Dealmaking process, which the company claims has delivered an average 50% premium in valuation for clients since 1999. This demonstrable ability to secure superior outcomes for clients ensures a continuous pipeline of high-value business.

The Financial Mechanism: Advisory Fees and Equity

An investment bank generates revenue through large, success-based advisory fees, which are a percentage of the total transaction value.

Deal Flow: FirstCapital’s successful transactions (e.g., advising on the sale of Multimap, Parkopedia, and Legerity) result in millions of pounds in fee income for the firm.
Profit Distribution: As a co-founder and Chairman, Moore receives a significant share of the firm’s annual profits. The retention of earnings within the firm is also a key part of her equity value, as evidenced by financial snippets showing Retained earnings in the millions (e.g., $1.211 million at one point in British Patient Capital’s report).

By building a firm that has endured for over a quarter-century, Moore ensured a consistent, high-level stream of income and the creation of a valuable, self-owned asset. Sandra Otterson Net Worth

The Foundational Career and Financial Start

Moore’s professional foundation was built on a blend of scientific rigor and early exposure to global finance, which laid the groundwork for her eventual entrepreneurial success.

Education: She studied Natural Sciences at Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge, graduating in 1990. This background provided the strong technical and analytical skills necessary for understanding and advising high-tech companies.
Early Engineering: After graduating, she briefly worked as an engineer for GEC Marconi. This practical engineering experience gave her unique insight into the technology sector—an invaluable asset for a tech-focused investment banker.
Global Finance Exposure: Moore then moved to Hong Kong and worked as an equity analyst for WI Carr. This crucial period provided her with hands-on experience in global finance and, according to her own account, motivated her to set up her own business.

These early roles—engineer, analyst—were foundational income streams that preceded the explosive wealth creation from FirstCapital, providing the seed capital and professional experience required to launch a successful venture.

Non-Executive Roles and Public Service Compensation

A significant and stable component of Hazel Moore’s net worth comes from her extensive, high-profile public service and non-executive director (NED) roles. These positions provide not only a steady, reliable income stream but also solidify her status as an industry leader.

Compensation from Key Board Roles

Public records confirm her appointments to significant government and finance boards:

British Patient Capital (2019–2025): She was a Non-Executive Director of this £2.5bn fund of funds, which invests in venture and growth capital funds. NEDs on major public-sector financial boards receive fixed annual fees. Her long tenure in this role resulted in significant accumulated director compensation.
BBB Investment Services Ltd (Appointed May 2025): She was appointed as an NED to this new business within the British Business Bank, which is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This role will continue to provide a high-level, compensated position in the UK’s financial infrastructure.
Innovate UK (2012–2018): Moore served as a Governing Board member and previously chaired the Emerging Technologies and Industries Steering Group. These roles are often compensated and involve significant influence over UK innovation strategy, further cementing her professional reputation.

The Value of an OBE

In 2017, Moore received an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for services to Entrepreneurship and Innovation. While this is not a direct financial asset, the award elevates her professional standing, increases her authority in the industry, and leads to greater demand for her advisory and board services, indirectly enhancing her long-term earning potential.

The Thought Leadership Asset: Beyond the Deal

In the world of professional services, a strong public profile and intellectual property are intangible assets that drive revenue and net worth. Hazel Moore’s extensive thought leadership acts as a constant marketing engine for FirstCapital.

Published Insights: She frequently publishes expert commentary on M&A, the European tech ecosystem, and fintech. Her articles and interviews, such as “A Perfect Storm: Being the Female Founder of an Investment Bank Specialising in Technology” and commentary on fintech trends, generate visibility and trust, directly attracting high-value clients to FirstCapital.
The Power of Codified Expertise: Her development of the SMART Dealmaking process is a form of intellectual property that differentiates her firm and justifies their premium fee structure.

This constant engagement ensures that her firm remains top-of-mind for tech founders looking for M&A advice, sustaining the high-level deal flow that is the lifeblood of her wealth.

Advocacy and Industry Impact

While not a direct stream of revenue, Moore’s highly vocal and persistent advocacy for gender diversity in the tech, venture capital, and private equity sectors has established her as a powerful, respected voice, which strengthens her professional brand and influence.

She has highlighted the lack of diversity in the industry and spoken candidly about the unwelcoming environment for women, stressing that change must come from the top and that existing pipelines are insufficient. Her reputation as a tenacious leader fighting for better industry inclusion adds a layer of professional respect that is invaluable in relationship-driven finance.

The Future Trajectory of Hazel Moore’s Wealth

For a seasoned finance professional like Hazel Moore, wealth accumulation is highly stable and expected to continue its upward trajectory:

FirstCapital’s Continued Success: As long as FirstCapital remains a leading boutique investment bank in the European tech space, the residual value of her co-ownership, along with her Chairman compensation, will serve as a powerful financial engine.
Strategic Board Roles: Her transition to significant compensated NED roles on major government-backed financial institutions (e.g., British Business Bank entities) ensures a long, stable, and high-paying professional career well past the day-to-day operations of FirstCapital.
Investment Portfolio: With decades of high-level earnings, it is assumed Moore maintains a substantial, well-managed investment portfolio outside of FirstCapital equity, including traditional assets and personal venture investments.

Conclusion: A Fortune Built on Trust and Expertise

The estimated net worth of Hazel Moore OBE—ranging from $10 million to $50 million in 2025—is a direct reflection of her position as a co-founder and leader in the high-stakes world of technology investment banking. Her financial success is founded on a unique blend of technical education, global financial experience, and the strategic foresight to specialize in high-growth tech M&A.

More than just a number, her net worth represents the value of her firm’s 50% average premium in client valuations, the significant fees generated from successful international deals, and the substantial compensation from her influential non-executive public service. Hazel Moore’s story is one of building a lasting, highly profitable, and reputable institution at the intersection of finance and technology.