Lawrence Lam: ‘The Types of Companies That Attract Me Are Founder-Led and Profitable’

Hi, and welcome to The Long View. I’m Dan Lefkovitz, strategist for Morningstar Indexes. Our guest this week is Lawrence Lam. Lawrence is managing director and founder of Lumenary Investment Management based in Melbourne, Australia, a firm that specializes in founder-led companies globally. Lawrence is also the author of a new book called The Founder Effect. Lawrence has also been an investment banker, a derivatives consultant, and a financial regulator. He holds degrees from the University of Melbourne and is a lifetime basketball player.Background Bio Lumenary Investment Management The Founder EffectFounder-Led Companies “Four Signs a Founder-Led Company Isn’t Worth the Hype,” by Lawrence Lam, afr.com, May 2, 2025. “Lessons From the Rise and Fall of Founder-Led Companies,” by Lawrence Lam, firstlinks.com, March 26, 2025.Founder-Led Companies Mentioned “Yvon Chouinard: The Founder of Patagonia,” by Charlie King, sustainabilitymag.com, Oct. 4, 2024. FUCHS Fortinet Hermes Uniqlo Reply Flight CentreCase Study Chemist Warehouse Le Specs “Chemist Warehouse Founder Reveals His Success Secrets,” by Lawrence Lam, Morningstar.com.au, May 30, 2023.Other “Social Loafing in Psychology: Definition, Examples & Theory,” by Riley Hoffman, simplypsychology.org, Sept. 7, 2023. Arista