Behdad Eghbali

Behdad Eghbali
Born	(1976-05-06) May 6, 1976 (age 48) Iran
Alma mater	Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley (B.S.)
Occupation(s)	Co-founder and Managing Partner, Clearlake Capital

Behdad Eghbali (Persian: بهداد اقبالی; born May 6, 1976) is an Iranian–American[1] billionaire businessman and a co-founder and managing partner of the investment firm Clearlake Capital. According to Forbes, Eghbali had a net worth of US$3.8 billion as of January 2024.[1] Eghbali was first placed on Forbes’ Forbes 400 and Forbes Billionaires lists in 2021.[2]

Early life and education

Eghbali was born in Iran and moved to the U.S. with his family when he was a child.[3]

He graduated from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Business Administration.[4][1]

Career

Eghbali began his career in investment banking in the technology group at Morgan Stanley and later joined San Francisco-based private equity firm TPG Capital, where he focused on buyouts and turnarounds.[5]

In 2006, Eghbali and José E. Feliciano co-founded Clearlake Capital, described by Financial Times in 2022 as “one of the fastest-growing buyout firms in the world".[6]

In May 2022, a consortium of investors co-led by Clearlake acquired Chelsea Football Club for £2.3 billion.[7] After the deal, Clearlake owned about 60% of the club.[8] Among consortium members, Eghbali is considered among the most visible owners.[9][10]

Eghbali is on the boards of several Clearlake portfolio companies, including Chelsea Football Club, Confluence, Constant Contact, Cornerstone OnDemand, DigiCert, Diligent, EagleView, Ivanti, Newfold Digital, Perforce, and Quest.[11][12]

Personal life

Eghbali is married.[3]

He is on the boards of nonprofits, including Noor Foundation, his family foundation.[5]

In 2024, Ehbali paid £56 million for a penthouse in Grosvenor Square in London's Mayfair district.[13][14]

References

1. "Behdad Eghbali". Forbes. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
2. "The Richest Private Equity Billionaires On The Forbes 400 List 2021". Forbes. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
3. "Behdad Eghbali". Forbes.
4. "Who are the nine members of Chelsea's new board?". The Athletic. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
5. "24. Behdad Eghbali". LA Business Journal. September 9, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
6. "Inside the low-profile firm behind Boehly's buyout of Chelsea". Financial Times. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
7. "The Chelsea ownership crisis: Why Clearlake and Boehly's marriage is at breaking point". The Athletic. September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
8. "Clearlake Follows Its Chelsea Deal With A $14.1 Billion Buyout Fund". Forbes. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
9. Law, Matt (September 25, 2023). "Behdad Eghbali ignores Todd Boehly backlash to make Chelsea dressing room visits". Telegraph. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
10. Brewin, John (December 27, 2023). "Todd Boehly, Chelsea's self-styled revolutionary, is facing failure". The Guardian. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
11. "Who are the nine members of Chelsea's new board?". The Athletic. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
12. "Behdad Eghbali". SportiConference. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
13. Lucking, Liz (January 3, 2025). "Chelsea FC's Billionaire Co-Owner Was the Buyer of a £56 Million London Penthouse". www.mansionglobal.com. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
14. "Chelsea FC co-owner pays £56mn for London penthouse". Financial Times. January 3, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2025.