Why a Silicon Valley exec bought into Breville’s global ambitions

Why a Silicon Valley exec bought into Breville’s global ambitions

From Curious by First Sentier Investors by First Sentier Investors

August 8, 2025 · 23 min · Episode 5

About this episode

Breville CEO Jim Clayton discusses his transition from private equity to leading an innovative Australian company.

It’s much harder to innovate consistently than build one great idea, but some companies are up to the challenge. Breville CEO Jim Clayton tells First Sentier Investors’ Dawn Kanelleas why he left the fast-paced world of private equity, management consulting and South Korean conglomerates to drive a little-known Australian company with a knack for innovation forward. This episode is for Australian audiences only. This material has been prepared and issued by First Sentier Investors (Australia) IM Ltd (ABN 89 114 194 311, AFSL 289017) (FSI AIM), which forms part of First Sentier Group, a global asset management business. First Sentier Group is ultimately owned by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc (MUFG), a global financial group. References to “we” or “us” are references to First Sentier Group. Some of our investment teams use the trading names First Sentier Investors, FSSA Investment Managers, Stewart Investors, Albacore Capital, Igneo Infrastructure Partners and RQI Investors. Not all brands are available in all jurisdictions or to all audiences. A copy of the Financial Services Guide for FSI AIM is available from First Sentier Investors on its Australian website. Any advice in…

People in this episode

Host: Dawn Kanelleas

Guest: Jim Clayton

Topics covered

  • innovation
  • business strategy
  • leadership
  • investment
  • Australian companies

Keywords

  • Breville
  • innovation
  • Jim Clayton
  • First Sentier Investors
  • Australian business
  • Silicon Valley
  • private equity

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Breville, First Sentier Investors, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc

Places: Australia, Silicon Valley, South Korea

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