Scott Mead

Scott Mead
Scott Mead
Born	Washington, DC, United States
Occupation(s)	Fine art photographer, philanthropist, investor
Years active	1980s–present
Known for	Photography; advising Vodafone on $200 billion Mannesmann acquisition; co-founder and president of Richmond Park Partners

Scott Mead is a fine art photographer, philanthropist, and investor from the United States, currently residing in London. After beginning his professional journey in photography, Mead relocated to London in 1988 and became a partner at Goldman Sachs, where he concentrated on leading significant mergers within the telecommunications and technology sectors. He notably acted as the principal advisor during Vodafone’s historic $200 billion acquisition of Mannesmann in 2000, recognized as the largest corporate takeover ever recorded. In 2006, Mead joined Apax Partners and subsequently co-established Richmond Park Partners (RPP) in 2007.

Early life and education

Born in Washington, DC, Scott Mead is the son of James M. Mead, a businessman. His family roots extend to Erie, Pennsylvania, where his grandfather John J. Mead Jr. worked as a journalist and photographer for the Erie Times-News, a publication founded and owned by the Mead family. Inspired by accompanying his grandfather on assignments during childhood, Mead developed an interest in photography at thirteen, learning to process images in his parents’ basement darkroom. He graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts in 1973. The following year, he enrolled at Harvard College, where he majored in American history and literature, with an emphasis on visual arts under instructors such as William Eggleston. He completed his studies with a Bachelor of Arts (BA), graduating cum laude in 1977. Awarded a Harvard scholarship to study at Cambridge University, Mead earned a Master of Philosophy from Emmanuel College in 1979. Later, he obtained a J.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania law school in 1982.

1980s-2003: Goldman Sachs

Mead’s professional career commenced at First Boston Corporation, before he joined Goldman Sachs in New York City in 1986 as a vice president specializing in corporate finance. Two years later, he was transferred to London, where he advanced to managing director and subsequently partner. At Goldman Sachs, he led the global telecoms, media, entertainment, and technology group as chairman and headed European Privatizations, playing key roles in significant transactions. In 1999, Mead served as chief negotiator and advisor for Goldman Sachs during Vodafone’s acquisition of German telecom giant Mannesmann—a deal approaching $200 billion and ranking among the largest acquisitions ever completed. He also counseled Vodafone on its $66.5 billion purchase of Airtouch Communications. Throughout his tenure, Mead supervised mergers and deals totaling roughly $500 billion. After retiring from his roles as partner and managing director in 2003, he pursued private equity ventures independently, provided guidance to "blue-chip" corporations, and engaged extensively in philanthropic efforts.

2006-present: Apax and RPP

In 2006, Mead became part of the investment group that acquired the Boston Celtics. Following substantial enhancements to player personnel and coaching staff, the team secured victory in the NBA playoffs in 2008. From October 2006 through September 2008, he acted as senior advisor at Apax Partners, chairing its global advisory board focused on technology and telecommunications.

In 2007, Mead co-founded Richmond Park Partners (RPP) based in London and assumed the role of president. Initially concentrating on financial services and telecommunications clients throughout Europe and the Middle East, RPP has since expanded its scope. Since 2012, Mead has increasingly dedicated himself to his passion for photography.

Arts career

During the mid-1970s, Mead pursued a minor in visual studies at Harvard, learning from distinguished photographers such as William Eggleston and Emmet Gowin. He utilized intricate methods to depict rural New England landscapes through circular black-and-white photographs. In 2009, Mead revisited his early negatives and prints, reigniting his passion for photography.

In 2010, an exhibition titled Looking Back showcased 25 of Mead's photographs taken between 1974 and 1977, many of which had never been printed before. This exhibition was held at Hamilton's gallery in London, with all proceeds benefiting Great Ormond Street Hospital. From 2011 to 2017, his work was consistently included in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. The BBC program Culture Show featured a profile on his photography in 2012, the same year he published the book Looking Back, which compiled his early photographic works.

Mead published Above the Clouds in October 2017, a book combining aerial photography with philosophical reflections, released by Prestel. This publication was accompanied by an exhibition at Hamiltons in January 2018. His latest book, Equivalents, also issued by Prestel in late 2022, presents paired images of nature inspired by Eggleston’s style and includes text by Brad Leithauser.

Boards and philanthropy

In 1996, Mead established The Mead Family Foundation and has served as its chairman. Following the successful treatment of his infant child's leukaemia at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, he became a devoted supporter and joined its board. He funded the hospital’s GOSH Arts initiative, which incorporates artistic programs into patient care to enhance healing experiences. Additionally, Mead has been a member of the board of visitors at MD Anderson Cancer Center located in Houston, Texas.

He co-founded Notting Hill Preparatory School in London in 2003 and has participated on the board of Usher's New Look Foundation, an organization dedicated to mentoring and training underprivileged youth. Since 2009, Mead has contributed to the UK advisory board of Room to Read. Maintaining close ties with his educational institutions—Phillips Academy, Emmanuel College (Cambridge), Cambridge University, and Harvard University—he launched the Mead International Fellows Program and created the "Scott Mead '77 Family Head Coach" endowment for Harvard Men's Tennis in 2008. As a benefactor fellow at Emmanuel College, he initiated the Mead Fellowships at University of the Arts London to support arts students and also founded the Mead Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Mead holds significant leadership positions across various arts and sports organizations. He is a member of both the executive committee and acquisition committee at Tate Foundation, serves on the global advisory council for the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), and has acted as a trustee for Queens Club. Since 2011, he has been a trustee at New York’s International Center of Photography. He joined University of the Arts London’s rector’s council in 2012 and its court of governors in 2017. From 2013 to 2016, he chaired The Photographers' Gallery’s board of trustees in London. In 2022, Mead was elected to serve on the Harvard Board of Overseers.

Selected exhibitions

2010: Looking Back – Solo presentation at Hamilton's Gallery in London, displaying 25 of Mead's prints created between 1974 and 1977
2010-2011: The PhotoVoice Auction of Exceptional Photographs – Group exhibition featuring Mead's works “Three Barns” and “Untitled,” with proceeds supporting PhotoVoice
2011-2012: The Art Show – Group event held at New York's Park Avenue Armory; included Mead’s “Evening Light” and "Untitled (Umbrellas on Beach)" to benefit Henry Street Settlement
2011-2017: Summer Exhibition – Group show at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, presenting a variety of prints such as "Journey into Blue" and "Autumn"
2018: Scott Mead: Above the Clouds – Solo exhibition at Hamilton's Gallery, London, highlighting a selection of prints
2019–2020, 2022-2023: Summer Exhibition – Participated in group exhibitions at the Royal Academy of Arts, London

Books

2010: Looking Back, authored by Scott Mead (self-published)
2017: Above the Clouds, by Scott Mead (Prestel)
2022: Equivalents, written by Scott Mead (Prestel Publishing)