In our latest Quick Fire, we chat with ECI’s Origination Analyst, Sam Veevers, about his journey into private equity, the reality of AI adoption, and why his browser tabs are getting out of hand.
Q: What made you want to join ECI?
I’ve always been someone who values learning and development, so I was immediately drawn to ECI’s approach. It was clear that personal growth was something they took seriously, and they’ve absolutely delivered on that promise. Ten months in, I’ve picked up more skills than I can count and, with ECI’s support, I’ve recently enrolled in an AI/ML programme at Cambridge.
I was also really impressed by how connected the teams are here. The Origination, Commercial and Investment teams don’t work in silos, they operate as one, and wins are shared across the board. That kind of collaboration really stood out to me.
Q: How do you leverage AI as part of your role?
Personally, I use AI to streamline the origination and research process. Whether it’s classifying companies, structuring web data, or enriching our pipeline with real-time insights, I’ve built several LLM-powered workflows to help us cut through the noise and identify high-fit opportunities at scale.
At a broader level, ECI has taken a proactive approach to embedding machine learning across the business through Amplifind™, our AI-powered origination engine that uses proprietary data to source, prioritise and assess leads. Over the past year, we’ve expanded it with modules like Amplifind™360, which uses AI to drive better decision making and collaboration for our portfolio on M&A prospects and pipeline. We’ve also introduced agentic tools that can intelligently source and compile relevant information. The goal is to eliminate low-value manual work and free up time for what really matters: critical thinking and decision-making.
Q: What have been some of the biggest changes you’ve seen with AI in the wider market since you joined?
It’s been exciting to see how much the landscape has shifted even just in the past year. We’ve moved beyond basic chatbot-style tools to much more sophisticated, workflow-integrated AI solutions. I think that shift has been driven by two things: better access to low/no-code platforms and a big jump in general AI literacy across the workforce.
That said, one major bottleneck for many businesses is still the quality of their internal data. As they say, bad data in, bad data out. What gives ECI a real edge here is that we’ve spent years investing in how we structure and store data. That head start has allowed us to use AI tools more effectively and get meaningful outputs much faster.
Q: What are your predictions for the M&A market in 2025?
Coming into 2025, many in the market felt that it was likely to be a busier H2, and so far, that reflects what we have seen. Q1 was relatively quiet across the board, as many businesses were still grappling with uncertainty whether that was around inflation, interest rates or wider macroeconomic conditions. That quieter period gave us, and many others, space to focus on strategic priorities, including embedding and supporting our four new portfolio companies from a busy deal period at the end of last year.
Now, it feels like momentum is building across the market. The pipeline is stronger, conversations are more advanced, and processes that may have been paused last year are beginning to move forward again. That said, there’s still a sense that some sellers are waiting for that “perfect” moment perhaps due to economic uncertainty or timing. Hopefully a calmer and more positive economic and political backdrop will lead to more confidence that now is a good time to come to market.
Q: Where would you like to be in 10 years?
Honestly, that’s a tough one to answer… If the past 10 years have taught me anything, it’s that your path can take a lot of unexpected and exciting turns. For me, the focus isn’t on a specific title or destination it’s about staying challenged, learning new things, and being part of something that feels impactful. As long as I’ve got that, I’ll be happy.
Quick Fire with Sam:
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Definitely an introvert.
What’s the best bit of advice you have received?
“Everything happens for a reason.” It’s something my mum drilled into me growing up. I didn’t always appreciate it back then, but it’s stuck with me. When things don’t go your way, it’s easy to spiral so that little reminder helps me pause and put things in perspective.
Where are we likely to find you on a Friday night?
Fridays are usually a quiet night for me – working out, nice food and general ‘me time’ are among the typical agenda. With the level of quietness being largely influenced by Thursday nights activities – after all Thursdays are the new Fridays!
What is your worst habit?
I tend to hoard Chrome tabs throughout the day ‘just in case’ I need them later. Fast forward a few hours, and I’ve got 237 tabs open across five windows, wondering why my laptop’s fan sounds like a jet engine.
Who would you most like to have dinner with?
Probably the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu (commissioned the Great Pyramid of Giza). So many questions, so many YouTube videos to debunk.
