Amanda Staveley, a British financier and businesswoman, has made a name for herself in the world of high-stakes financial deals, amassing a net worth of $170 million as of 2025. As a director of PCP Capital Partners, Staveley has been instrumental in brokering multi-billion dollar transactions, including the high-profile Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle United in 2021. Her extensive connections in the Middle East and her ability to facilitate massive investments have cemented her reputation as one of the most influential figures in finance. This article delves into Amanda Staveley’s journey, her career-defining deals, and the controversies that have shaped her legacy.
Early Life and Education
Amanda Louise Staveley was born on April 11, 1973, in Ripon, England, making her 51 years old in 2025. She was raised by her parents, Lynne and Robert Staveley. Her mother was a champion show jumper, while her father founded the Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park in North Stainley, North Yorkshire. Growing up in a business-oriented family, Staveley developed a keen interest in entrepreneurship early on.
She attended Queen Margaret’s School for Girls, where she followed in her mother’s footsteps as a competitive show jumper. Staveley later enrolled at St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge, to study modern languages but left before completing her degree following the death of her grandfather. This experience profoundly impacted her and set her on a path toward the financial world.
The Beginnings of a Financial Career
In 1996, at the age of 23, Amanda Staveley took her first significant step in business by purchasing a restaurant called Stocks in Bottisham, near Cambridge. She secured a £180,000 loan to fund this venture. Through the restaurant, she established connections with the Al Maktoum family of Dubai, owners of the Godolphin horse racing stables in Newmarket. These relationships would later prove invaluable.
Staveley also became involved in the burgeoning tech scene in Cambridge, investing in various dot-com and biotech startups during the late 1990s. However, her first major entrepreneurial setback came when she founded Q.ton, a conference center in the Cambridge Science Park. After selling a 49% stake in Q.ton to EuroTelecom, the dot-com bubble burst, leading to EuroTelecom’s collapse. Despite these challenges, Staveley managed to buy back the stake, although the venture was ultimately unsuccessful.
Building PCP Capital Partners
Undeterred by previous setbacks, Amanda Staveley relocated to Dubai and, in 2008, founded PCP Capital Partners with her legal partner, Craig Eadie. PCP operates primarily through offshore private equity affiliates, facilitating investments for wealthy Middle Eastern clients. Staveley’s expertise in forging connections with Gulf investors quickly bore fruit.
That same year, she played a pivotal role in two landmark deals. The first was Sheikh Mansour’s £210 million acquisition of Manchester City through the Abu Dhabi United Group, a transaction that transformed the club’s fortunes. The second was an even more significant deal: a £7.3 billion investment in Barclays by the ruling families of Abu Dhabi and Qatar, helping the bank avoid a government bailout during the financial crisis. For her role, Staveley reportedly earned a £30 million commission, significantly boosting her net worth.
The Newcastle United Takeover
Amanda Staveley’s association with English football did not end with Manchester City. In late 2017, she launched a bid to acquire Newcastle United, a move that ultimately failed. However, her determination paid off in 2021 when she facilitated the £300 million purchase of the club by a consortium including the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia and the Reuben Brothers. As part of the deal, Staveley became a director of Newcastle United, sharing responsibilities with Jamie Reuben and Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan.
The takeover was met with significant controversy, with critics accusing it of being a “sportswashing” exercise for the Saudi regime. Staveley defended the deal, asserting that the PIF is separate from the Saudi government and emphasizing the economic benefits for the club and its supporters.
High-Stakes Deals and Missed Opportunities
Staveley’s career is marked by both high-profile successes and notable near-misses. In 2008, she fronted a bid by the Qatar Investment Authority to acquire the facilities management company Trillium, a deal that fell through. She was also involved in attempts to finance Barclays’ $13.5 billion sale of Barclays Global Investors to BlackRock, which did not materialize.
However, Staveley’s successes are substantial. In 2010, she advised the Qatari property investment company Barwa in its acquisition of the Park House site in London. Two years later, she was instrumental in helping one of her Middle Eastern clients purchase the Arundel Great Court site along the Thames in London. These deals not only reinforced her credentials as a financier but also contributed significantly to her growing net worth.
Personal Life and Relationships
Amanda Staveley’s personal life has often been the subject of media attention. In the early 2000s, she was romantically linked to Prince Andrew, Duke of York, which brought her into the public eye. However, the relationship did not last, and Staveley moved on both personally and professionally.
In 2011, she married British-Iranian financier Mehrdad Ghodoussi, who is also a managing partner at PCP Capital Partners. The couple’s shared interests in finance and investments have made them a formidable team. They are known for maintaining a relatively private lifestyle, despite their significant presence in the world of high finance.
Challenges and Resilience
Staveley has not been without her challenges. She has been open about managing Huntington’s disease, a genetic neurodegenerative disorder. Her ability to maintain a demanding career while dealing with a serious health condition is a testament to her resilience and determination.
Moreover, her business dealings have occasionally attracted legal scrutiny. In 2020, Staveley pursued a lawsuit against Barclays, seeking £1.5 billion in damages over the terms of the 2008 investment deal. Although the court ruled against her, the case underscored her willingness to fight for her financial interests.
The Future of Amanda Staveley
With a net worth of $170 million and a directorial role at Newcastle United, Amanda Staveley’s influence in both finance and sports is set to grow. Her deep connections in the Middle East, combined with her expertise in structuring complex financial deals, position her as a key player in future high-value investments.
As Newcastle United continues to evolve under new ownership, Staveley’s strategic decisions will likely shape the club’s trajectory in the Premier League and beyond. Her story is not just one of financial acumen but also of resilience and the ability to navigate the intricate world of international finance.
