🎙 The Beginning of Babylon, Serendipity in Venture Capital, and Pivoting into Investment Banking
💬 In conversation with Dr Ash Patel, Managing Director of Private Capital Markets for Houlihan Lokey
Dear Readers,
This week on Out of Programme, we’re joined by Dr Ash Patel – a former anaesthetics trainee who left the wards to become one of the earliest team members at Babylon Health, an investor at Mercia and Optum Ventures, and now a Managing Director in investment banking at Houlihan Lokey.
Ash’s story is one of serendipity, bold pivots, and the willingness to learn entirely new industries from scratch. From joining Babylon when it was still just an idea, to helping shape digital health investment in the UK, to building credibility in finance, he shows how clinicians can redefine success far beyond the traditional pathway.
🎧 Watch to the episode here:
Highlights from the Conversation
💡 The Early Days of Babylon
How a single introduction led Ash to meet Ali Parsa and join Babylon when it was little more than an idea.
📈 Breaking into Venture Capital
Why Ash chose to move from health tech into investing, and how he taught himself the financial skills to succeed.
💼 Pivoting into Investment Banking
What drove him to broaden beyond healthcare and step into investment banking, and the unexpected advantages of crossing industries.
🧭 Advice for Clinicians
Why it’s not about following someone else’s “pathway” — but about learning how to evaluate your own choices.
Why This Episode Matters
For clinicians considering alternative careers, Ash’s journey is proof that:
🔀 Careers don’t need to follow straight lines — small pivots compound over time.
💡 Serendipity only works if you say yes and show up.
📈 Financial and commercial skills are learnable — even if you start from zero.
🌍 Stepping outside of medicine can broaden your impact and perspective.
As Ash says:
“Medicine taught me professionalism; venture and banking taught me how to build and back ideas.”
🔗 Resources & Links:
🌐 Website: outofprogramme.com
▶️ YouTube: @OutOfProgramme
🎧 Spotify: Out of Programme
🍏 Apple Podcasts: Out of Programme
Thank you for reading and listening — and if you know someone who’s exploring life beyond the NHS, please do share this episode with them.
Until next time,
Jing