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, BSc MSc, and PhD. After starting his career as a scientist, he moved into management and technology consulting in the insurance and investment banking space. In 2009 Luke joined Octopus Group, helping to start and subsequently grow Octopus Ventures, expanding it from a team of four and £15m in Asset Under Management, to over 90 people overseeing £1.5bn in AUM.

Over 13 years, Luke participated in investments in over 100 companies and was personally involved in a number of very successful acquisitions and IPOs. Luke now co-leads Howden Ventures, investing in and building the next generation of augmented underwriting companies.

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 holds a Master’s in Finance from the London Business School. After beginning her career as a data analyst and actuary in the reinsurance industry, she moved into investment banking, specialising in insurance M&A. At Howden Ventures, she plays a pivotal role in evaluating the commercial viability of early-stage startups.

As a Senior Associate, Acacia applies her expertise in risk management, financial modelling and industry dynamics to lead investment due diligence and support capital allocation. Acacia works closely with founders to assess the financial and operational feasibility of potential investments, evaluate market positioning, and help them execute their go-to-market strategies.

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.