In this episode of Australian Investors Podcast, Owen Rask sits down with Jaki Virtue, Chief Operating Officer of Washington H. Soul Pattinson, for a rare look inside one of Australia’s most closely watched investment companies. Jaki explains how a business with only about 55 staff can still oversee a large and growing portfolio, and why culture, systems and clarity matter just as much as capital allocation.
The conversation starts with Jaki’s backstory, from an adventurous family and an unconventional schooling experience through to investment banking, business management and eventually becoming the inaugural COO of an ASX 50 company. She shares the story of “manifesting” that role in her twenties, why she deliberately chose stretch opportunities, and how risk, courage and curiosity shaped her career.
Owen and Jaki also dig into what makes SOL Patts distinctive today: its long dividend record, the Milton and Brickworks transactions, the balance between public and private markets, founder partnerships, governance, AI adoption and the importance of protecting shareholder capital without creating bureaucracy. If you want to understand how a long-term investment company actually operates behind the scenes, this episode offers a practical window into leadership, team design and compounding over time. It is a useful listen for anyone curious about how great businesses stay agile without losing discipline.
