Founding Partner, Finance & Business Advisory / Finance & Business Advisory
Olatunji
Gbesan
“Olatunji leads Crimson Oak's Finance and Business Advisory practice, pairing over a decade at the intersection of capital, corporate strategy, and SME growth to help emerging African businesses raise the right capital and build the operating discipline to deploy it well.”
Tunji works at the intersection of finance, business strategy, and investment. He is a firm believer that capital, when wisely allocated, transforms companies and communities, and that the sharpest question a founder can ask is not how much to raise, but what kind of capital the business actually needs, and whether now is the right time.
Before founding Crimson Oak Partners in 2023, he spent more than a decade across banking, private equity, and corporate advisory in Lagos, structuring transactions, evaluating investments, and advising owners of growth stage companies through the moments that decide whether a business scales or stalls.
Today he leads engagements that combine rigorous financial architecture with grounded operating advice, from equity and structured debt raises to strategy reviews, process optimisation, and governance work for boards preparing for institutional capital. He is a regular commentator on Nigerian macroeconomic policy and a published voice on private equity and capital allocation in emerging markets.
Notable Engagements
- 01
Founded Crimson Oak Partners in 2023 as a Lagos based advisory firm serving founders and boards of growth stage African businesses.
- 02
Advises operators and shareholders on capital structure, fundraising strategy, and readiness for institutional investors across equity and structured debt.
- 03
Leads corporate strategy and governance engagements for emerging corporates preparing for scale, cross border expansion, or transaction processes.
- 04
Selected mentee of the Woodhall Capital Foundation 'Captains of Industry' programme, in partnership with Mentor Intro Africa.
- 05
Author, 'Unlocking the Secrets of Wealth: The Power of Private Equity' on LinkedIn, and a recurring commentator on Nigerian monetary and fiscal policy across national media.
- 06
Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC) and Certified Management Consultant (CMC).
Engage