Behdad Eghbali
Behdad Eghbali | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 6, 1976 Iran |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley (BS) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Title | Co-founder and managing partner, Clearlake Capital |
| Spouse | Julia Harris |
Behdad Eghbali (Persian: بهداد اقبالی; born May 6, 1976) is an Iranian–American billionaire businessman and co-founder and managing partner of Clearlake Capital investment firm. As of May 2026, Forbes estimated his net worth at US$3.9 billion.[1] Eghbali was first included in the Forbes 400 and Forbes Billionaires lists in 2021.[2]
Early life
Eghbali was born in Iran and moved to the United States with his family when he was a child.[1]
He graduated from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley, with a bachelor's degree in business administration.[1][3]
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.[4]
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".[5]
In May 2022, a consortium of investors co-led by Clearlake acquired Chelsea Football Club for GB£2,300,000,000 (equivalent to £2,610,600,794 in 2025).[6] After the deal, Clearlake owned about 60% of the club.[7] Among consortium members, Eghbali is considered among the most visible owners.[8][9]
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.[10][11]
In May 2025, Eghbali and his partner José E. Feliciano launched Clearlake Credit from previous acquisitions of MV Credit Partners and WhiteStar Asset Management.[12]
In November 2025, Eghbali and Feliciano’s Clearlake acquired Pathway Capital Management, which established Clearlake as one of the largest private equity firms by assets.[13] In 2025, Eghbali and the firm have reported directing over 400 investments and US$90 billion in assets under management.[14]
Personal life
Eghbali is married to Julia Harris,[15] and lives in Los Angeles, California.[1]. He is on the boards of nonprofits, including his family's Noor Foundation.[4]
In 2024, Eghbali paid GB£56 million for a penthouse in Grosvenor Square in London's Mayfair district.[16][17]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Forbes profile: Behdad Eghbali". Forbes. Retrieved May 26, 2026.
- ↑ "The Richest Private Equity Billionaires On The Forbes 400 List 2021". Forbes. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ↑ "Who are the nine members of Chelsea's new board?". The Athletic. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- 1 2 "24. Behdad Eghbali". LA Business Journal. September 9, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ↑ "Inside the low-profile firm behind Boehly's buyout of Chelsea". Financial Times. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ↑ "The Chelsea ownership crisis: Why Clearlake and Boehly's marriage is at breaking point". The Athletic. September 9, 2024. Retrieved September 9, 2024.
- ↑ "Clearlake Follows Its Chelsea Deal With A $14.1 Billion Buyout Fund". Forbes. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ↑ Law, Matt (September 25, 2023). "Behdad Eghbali ignores Todd Boehly backlash to make Chelsea dressing room visits". Telegraph. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ↑ Brewin, John (December 27, 2023). "Todd Boehly, Chelsea's self-styled revolutionary, is facing failure". The Guardian. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ↑ "Who are the nine members of Chelsea's new board?". The Athletic. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ↑ "Behdad Eghbali". SportiConference. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
- ↑ "Clearlake Seeks to Triple Assets at Credit Unit to $100 Billion". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on August 28, 2025. Retrieved December 12, 2025.
- ↑ Gottfried, Miriam (November 12, 2025). "Clearlake to Double Assets With Nearly $1 Billion Deal". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- ↑ Harris, William (March 24, 2025). "Dun & Bradstreet To Be Acquired by Clearlake Capital Group For $7.7 Billion". citybiz. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
- ↑ "Real Wedding Album: A Historic Celebration on Ellis Island". The Cut. November 26, 2014.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Chelsea FC co-owner pays £56mn for London penthouse". Financial Times. January 3, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2025.