TLDR:
Octopus Ventures has appointed Erin Platts as its new CEO, bringing her two-decade experience from Silicon Valley Bank and HSBC Innovation Banking UK. Platts will focus on refining and enhancing the equity capital business and expanding support for startups across the UK and Europe. Alliott Cole, the current CEO, will return to a full-time investment role.
Octopus Ventures, a prominent venture capital investor in the UK and Europe, has announced the appointment of Erin Platts as its new CEO. Platts, who previously spent close to two decades at Silicon Valley Bank and later as the CEO of HSBC Innovation Banking UK, will join the company in January 2025. Her role will involve refining and enhancing the equity capital business, increasing support for startups across the UK and Europe, and broadening the company’s remit into adjacent capital provision.
Platts expressed her excitement about continuing to support technology entrepreneurs and founders, emphasizing the potential in the UK and Europe for fostering successful companies. Octopus Ventures, managing £2 billion in assets and backing over 180 businesses, has a notable portfolio including successful ventures like Zoopla, Secret Escapes, and Graze. Simon Rogerson, co-founder and CEO of Octopus Group, praised Platts for her ability to champion the founder community and lead the company’s growth into the future.
Platts’s appointment comes as part of a strategic move for Octopus Ventures to strengthen its position in the venture capital market and further support emerging technology companies. With a strong focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, the company is poised to continue driving positive change and growth within the ecosystem.
