Rishi Khosla’s Remarkable Rise From Copal to OakNorth
The verified story of the British entrepreneur, including his age, education, business career, leadership values, family and achievements
Introdution
Rishi Khosla is a British entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist best known as the co-founder and chief executive officer of OakNorth.
Before launching the digital commercial bank, he co-founded Copal Partners with Joel Perlman and helped turn it into an international financial research company. The partners later used their own difficulty in obtaining business finance as inspiration for OakNorth.
Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Rishi Khosla |
| Official name | Rishi Khosla OBE |
| Birth date | September 1975 |
| Age | 50 years old, as of July 2026 |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist |
| Famous for | Co-founding Copal Partners and OakNorth |
| Current role | Co-founder and CEO of OakNorth |
| Education | BSc Economics and MSc Accounting and Finance |
| Wife | Milan Khosla |
| Children | Four |
| Honour | Officer of the Order of the British Empire |
Who Is Rishi Khosla?
Rishi Khosla is the co-founder and CEO of OakNorth, a digital commercial bank created to support growing businesses.
OakNorth’s official leadership profile describes him as an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist who believes entrepreneurs are important drivers of innovation, social progress and economic growth.
He created OakNorth with his long-term business partner, Joel Perlman. The pair had previously built Copal Partners, a financial research and data analytics company.
Readers interested in other international investors and company founders can also read this profile of Michael Scherb, the founder of Appian Capital Advisory.
Rishi Khosla’s Age and Date of Birth
Rishi Khosla was born in September 1975.
He is therefore 50 years old as of July 2026. He will turn 51 in September 2026.
His exact day of birth has not been confirmed by a reliable public source, so it should not be guessed.
Where Was Rishi Khosla Born?
He was born in London, England.
Public interviews indicate that his childhood was not spent entirely in Britain. His family lived in Iran and India before returning to the United Kingdom.
These early moves exposed him to different cultures, economies and business environments. He has connected those experiences with the resilience and international outlook that later shaped his professional life.
Nationality and Background
Rishi Khosla is British.
His public business records identify his nationality as British and his country of residence as England. Companies House also records him as an active director of OakNorth Bank.
His family has Indian roots, and he has spoken publicly about his strong connection with both London and Delhi.
Details about his ethnicity, religion, caste or private family beliefs should not be stated without direct public confirmation.
Early Life
Khosla developed an interest in business and technology at a young age.
In an interview published by OakNorth, he recalled organising small money-making activities during childhood. These included renting videotapes, teaching other children how to use computers and selling stationery or repaired pens.
Such projects were small, but they introduced him to pricing, customer demand, responsibility and profit.
His childhood also included instability. His family experienced political and business disruption while living in Iran, and his father had to rebuild commercial activities after difficult setbacks.
Khosla has frequently connected these experiences with the importance of persistence.
Family Background
His father has publicly been described as a mechanical engineer and businessman.
Khosla has said that watching his father rebuild businesses after major challenges taught him that failure or disruption does not have to end an entrepreneurial journey.
Detailed information about his mother, siblings, grandparents and wider family has not been reliably published and should remain private.
Education
Rishi Khosla studied economics at University College London.
He completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics before continuing his studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
At LSE, he completed an MSc in Accounting and Finance in 1997. The university continues to recognise him as a notable alumnus and business leader.
His education provided a foundation in:
- Economics
- Accounting
- Corporate finance
- Financial analysis
- Business strategy
- Investment decision-making
He later used these skills across investment, financial research and commercial banking.
Career Before Entrepreneurship
Before launching his own company, Khosla worked in finance and investment-related positions.
Public career profiles have connected him with organisations including ABN Amro and GE Capital. He also gained experience evaluating businesses and investment opportunities.
These roles helped him understand how banks, investors and large financial institutions assess companies.
However, he eventually decided that he wanted to build a business rather than remain an employee.
Founding Copal Partners
In 2002, Rishi Khosla and Joel Perlman co-founded Copal Partners.
The business provided research, financial modelling, valuation and analytical support to major financial institutions.
Its clients included organisations operating in areas such as:
- Investment banking
- Private equity
- Asset management
- Hedge funds
- Corporate finance
Khosla reportedly committed a large proportion of his personal savings to the new business.
The company began with limited resources but gradually expanded into multiple countries and employed thousands of people.
OakNorth states that Khosla and Perlman scaled their first company before eventually selling it to Moody’s Corporation.
Sale to Moody’s
Moody’s Corporation acquired a majority stake in Copal Partners in 2011.
The transaction marked a major turning point in Khosla’s career. It gave him experience in building, scaling and selling an international company.
Copal later became part of Copal Amba, and Moody’s completed its acquisition of the wider operation in 2014.
An official OakNorth profile of Joel Perlman says the founders developed the business into an organisation with approximately 3,000 employees across 13 markets before selling it to Moody’s.
Why Did He Create OakNorth?
The idea for OakNorth developed from a problem Khosla and Perlman faced while operating their first company.
Despite having a profitable and expanding business, they struggled to obtain the type of bank financing they needed.
Traditional lenders placed significant weight on historical financial figures. Khosla and Perlman believed the banks were not giving enough attention to future growth, recurring clients or the quality of the underlying business.
This experience convinced them that many established medium-sized companies were underserved by traditional banking.
They decided to create a bank that would better understand entrepreneurs.
Launching OakNorth
Rishi Khosla and Joel Perlman launched OakNorth Bank in 2015.
The bank was designed to serve entrepreneurs and established growth companies that may be too complex for standard small-business lending but are smaller than major corporations.
OakNorth describes itself as a bank founded by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. It focuses particularly on lower mid-market companies in the United Kingdom and the United States.
The company says its founders wanted to create a lender that understood the journey involved in building and expanding a business.
What Does OakNorth Do?
OakNorth provides business lending and savings services.
Its commercial lending operations support companies seeking funding for purposes such as:
- Business expansion
- Property development
- Acquisitions
- Refinancing
- Working capital
- New locations
- Job creation
- Strategic investments
The company combines technology, financial data and human credit analysis when assessing potential borrowers.
OakNorth says it has lent more than £15 billion since its launch and helped support the creation of thousands of jobs and homes. These are company-reported figures rather than Rishi Khosla’s personal financial results.
Current Role at OakNorth
Rishi Khosla remains the co-founder and chief executive officer of OakNorth.
The company’s current executive-team page continues to identify him as its CEO.
His responsibilities include guiding OakNorth’s long-term strategy, overseeing expansion and representing the company in public discussions about entrepreneurship, banking and economic growth.
He is also closely associated with OakNorth’s expansion beyond the United Kingdom, particularly its growing operations in the United States.
Leadership Style
Khosla has repeatedly described his central values as resilience, hunger and humility.
His leadership approach includes:
- Remaining ambitious during difficult periods
- Studying businesses in detail
- Focusing on long-term potential
- Learning from mistakes
- Maintaining financial discipline
- Listening to different advisers
- Supporting entrepreneurial thinking
He does not present business growth as a simple or risk-free process. His interviews usually emphasise persistence, pressure, personal discipline and learning from failure.
Views on Entrepreneurship
Khosla believes entrepreneurs contribute to innovation, employment, economic growth and social development.
He has argued that an entrepreneurial mindset can also benefit people who do not plan to launch their own companies.
In his view, entrepreneurial thinking involves:
- Identifying problems
- Taking responsibility
- Finding practical solutions
- Acting with urgency
- Remaining adaptable
- Learning from setbacks
OakNorth’s official profile says he considers entrepreneurs important drivers of innovation, social progress and economic growth.
Mentors and Inspirations
Khosla supports the idea of having several mentors rather than depending on one adviser.
He has described this as creating a personal board of advisers. Different people can offer useful perspectives on leadership, finance, family, health or personal development.
He believes a strong mentor should help someone think through a problem rather than simply provide orders.
His father’s resilience appears to have been one of his most important early influences.
OBE and Major Recognition
Rishi Khosla was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2020 New Year Honours.
The honour recognised his services to business.
The OBE is why his name is frequently presented publicly as Rishi Khosla OBE.
His professional recognition also comes from building two large financial businesses: Copal Partners and OakNorth.
Marriage and Wife
Rishi Khosla is married to Milan Khosla.
Public profiles indicate that they met when they were young and remained together as he built his career.
Milan has also been involved in the couple’s philanthropic work.
There is no reliable public evidence of a previous marriage or publicly confirmed relationship history, so such claims should not be added.
Children
Rishi and Milan Khosla have four children.
The family generally keeps its private life away from extensive media attention.
Names and personal details about the children should not be published unless the family has clearly made them public for a relevant reason.
Rishi and Milan Khosla Foundation
The couple established the Rishi and Milan Khosla Foundation to support charitable projects.
Its published areas of interest include:
- Early childhood development
- Medical and health research
- Women’s empowerment
- Entrepreneurship
- Education
- Environmental issues
The foundation’s official profile describes Khosla as an entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist and co-founder of OakNorth.
Work With the London School of Economics
Khosla has maintained a connection with LSE after completing his postgraduate degree.
He has supported entrepreneurship and mentorship initiatives linked with the university.
LSE also lists Rishi Khosla OBE among benefactors who have provided important support to the institution.
His relationship with LSE combines alumni involvement, mentorship, entrepreneurship programmes and philanthropy.
Rishi Khosla’s Net Worth
No audited or officially confirmed personal net-worth figure is publicly available.
Some newspapers and wealth publications have produced estimates based largely on his ownership interests in OakNorth and other investments.
However, an estimate of company shares is not the same as cash held personally. Private-company valuations can also rise or fall significantly.
For that reason, a precise net-worth figure should not be presented as confirmed fact.
Salary and Income
Rishi Khosla’s exact salary, annual income and monthly income have not been reliably disclosed.
His possible sources of wealth and income include:
- Ownership interests in OakNorth
- Proceeds connected with Copal Partners
- Private investments
- Board and business interests
- Long-term company value growth
No reliable source provides a complete breakdown of his personal income.
Investments and Business Interests
Khosla has been described publicly as an investor as well as an entrepreneur.
Institutional profiles have connected him with investments in financial technology, manufacturing technology, battery research and biotechnology businesses.
However, the current size and value of these investments are not publicly verified.
OakNorth remains the business most closely associated with his public identity.
House, Cars and Personal Assets
Reliable public sources do not provide a complete list of his homes, vehicles or luxury possessions.
Reports about private properties, cars, collections or other assets should not be repeated unless supported by official documents or direct statements.
His public image is based more heavily on entrepreneurship and banking than on displaying wealth.
Public Image
Rishi Khosla is generally presented as a disciplined and energetic entrepreneur.
Media interviews often focus on:
- His intense working style
- His childhood business activities
- The growth of Copal Partners
- OakNorth’s expansion
- His views on UK entrepreneurship
- The challenges facing growing businesses
- Mentorship and resilience
His public image combines the roles of banker, founder, investor and advocate for entrepreneurs.
Controversies and Political Views
Khosla has commented publicly on UK taxation, business policy and the conditions needed to attract entrepreneurs and investment.
Some of his comments have generated discussion because they relate to politically sensitive economic questions.
However, no reliable evidence reviewed establishes major criminal conduct or a proven personal business scandal.
Political opinions should be presented only when directly connected to his published statements.
Why Is Rishi Khosla Famous?
He is famous for co-founding two successful businesses.
First, he helped build Copal Partners into an international financial research organisation.
Second, he used the lessons from that company to launch OakNorth, a bank focused on lending to growth businesses.
His career stands out because he has experienced the financing problem from both sides: first as an entrepreneur seeking capital and later as a banker providing it.
Interesting Facts
- He started small commercial activities during childhood.
- He studied economics at UCL.
- He completed an MSc at LSE in 1997.
- He co-founded Copal Partners in 2002.
- Moody’s acquired Copal Partners.
- He launched OakNorth with Joel Perlman in 2015.
- He received an OBE for services to business.
- He supports philanthropy with his wife, Milan.
- He advocates having several mentors with different skills.
- He believes resilience, hunger and humility are essential leadership values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rishi Khosla’s full name?
His full public name is Rishi Khosla. He is also officially known as Rishi Khosla OBE.
How old is Rishi Khosla?
He is 50 years old as of July 2026.
When was Rishi Khosla born?
He was born in September 1975.
Where was Rishi Khosla born?
He was born in London, England.
What is Rishi Khosla’s nationality?
He is British.
What does Rishi Khosla do?
He is an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist. He is the co-founder and CEO of OakNorth.
What did Rishi Khosla study?
He studied economics at University College London and completed an MSc in Accounting and Finance at the London School of Economics.
Who is Rishi Khosla’s wife?
He is married to Milan Khosla.
Does Rishi Khosla have children?
Yes. Rishi and Milan Khosla have four children.
Why did Rishi Khosla start OakNorth?
He and Joel Perlman created OakNorth after experiencing difficulty obtaining suitable business finance for their first company.
What honour did Rishi Khosla receive?
He was appointed OBE in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to business.
Final Thoughts
Rishi Khosla built his reputation by turning personal business challenges into new commercial opportunities.
After co-founding and scaling Copal Partners, he recognised that many successful medium-sized companies were not properly served by traditional banks. That experience became the foundation for OakNorth.
His journey from childhood business projects to leading a major digital commercial bank reflects the qualities he frequently promotes: resilience, hunger, humility and disciplined execution.
Trusted external sources: Official OakNorth profile and London School of Economics profile.
