Behdad Eghbali
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (May 2026) |
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 a co-founder and managing partner of the investment firm Clearlake Capital. 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
[edit]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
[edit]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 £2.3 billion.[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. The goal of the new division is to triple the firm’s $30 billion credit holding in the next five years, primarily from European investors.[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 leading over 400 investments and $90 billion in assets under management.[14]
Personal life
[edit]Eghbali is married to Julia Harris,[15] and lives in Los Angeles, California.[1]. He is on the boards of nonprofits, including Noor Foundation, his family foundation.[4]
In 2024, Eghbali paid £56 million for a penthouse in Grosvenor Square in London's Mayfair district.[16][17]
References
[edit]- 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.