Howden Ventures

Tom has nearly 20 years’ experience in insurance. He started his career advising multinational banks and infrastructure funds on the insurance and risk management aspects of Project Finance and M&A, all while completing his Master's in Insurance and Risk Management at Bayes Business School, which he achieved with Distinction.

Since 2011 Tom has designed and launched dozens of new insurance products to market that span technology, climate, intangibles and parametric solutions, in addition to playing a key role in various start-up investments. Tom also formed and initially chaired the Lloyd’s Product Innovation Facility, now the Lloyd’s Launchpad, and is committed to the development of innovation at Lloyd’s.

Luke holds a BSc, MSc, and PhD, and has extensive experience in management and technology consulting for insurers and investment banks. Joining Octopus Capital in 2008, he has grown the Ventures team from four people managing £15m in Asset Under Management to over 100 people overseeing £1.5bn AUM. In over 15 years, Luke has managed eight VC funds, developed investment strategies, and delivered exceptional portfolio performance.

He has served as a board representative for over 25 companies and is currently a chair of the University of Manchester Innovation Factory. Also a mentor, judge, and speaker, Luke is passionate about sharing his venture capital expertise with students at London Business School and Hult Business School.

Ed is a Senior Associate at Howden Ventures, with over 10 years of experience in underwriting and product development at AIG, followed by commercial roles at a Series A startup. As our go-to problem solver, he works across both our investment and insurance functions, from shaping origination strategies to helping our investments navigate their path to market.

Acacia is an Investment Associate at Howden Ventures with nearly 8 years of insurance experience. She has held various roles within the industry ranging from actuarial and strategic advisory to investment banking. She has an MSc in Finance from London Business School and a BSc in Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics from Kingston University.

After developing broad insurance expertise through a rotational insurance graduate scheme, Ben gained extensive experience as a Property Class Underwriter at a leading Lloyd’s of London Syndicate. Now, as an Associate at Howden Ventures, he serves as the primary point of contact for the Howden Ventures Broking Committee and oversees all matters related to the Incubation Binder. Ben holds an MSc in Psychology of Economic Life from the London School of Economics (LSE), where he graduated as valedictorian.

Charlie has experience as a Junior Credit and Political Risk Underwriter at a Lloyds of London Syndicate, and at a VC fund. He has an MSc in Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment from University College London and a BSc in Biochemistry from Cardiff University. As Howden Ventures' Venture Scout he is responsible for researching emerging trends in the insurance and VC sectors, as well as securing deal flow. 

Georgianna is a skilled PA with 8 years of experience in the role. Her background includes working in a law firm before transitioning to the insurance industry in 2022. In her current role, she manages schedules and oversees various tasks, making her essential to the success of Howden Ventures.

Tanya is the Partnership Assistant at Howden Ventures. As a qualified journalist with a degree in Media and Communication from the University of Leicester, she previously worked as a reporter for a local news channel in Italy and has experience in PR and brand marketing. She joined Howden through the Pioneers programme and is looking to bring an external perspective to support the growth of the group.