Former Octopus Ventures partner Luke Hakes joins Howden Ventures to accelerate next phase of growth

London, 19 March 2025 – Howden announces the appointment of Dr Luke Hakes as a Partner at Howden Ventures. Based in London, Hakes will co-lead with Tom Hoad, working closely with the team to drive the growth and success of Howden Ventures' investment portfolio.

Howden Ventures, the venture capital arm of Howden, combines industry expertise, strategic insights, and capital to invest in entrepreneurs leveraging data that benefit clients and insurers alike. By going beyond pure capital provision and removing traditional barriers to entry, Howden Ventures helps fast-track entrepreneurs’ path to success, ensuring their products reach the market quickly and effectively.

"Howden Ventures presents a truly unique opportunity," said Luke Hakes. "The integration of capital, infrastructure, and industry-leading expertise is unlike anything available in the market today. I am excited to join the team and help build on this platform to deliver long-term value for our investments and the industries we serve."

Hakes brings a wealth of experience in building and growing successful ventures. He was instrumental in expanding Octopus Ventures from a team of four and £15m in assets under management (AUM) to over 90 people managing £1.4bn in AUM. Over his 13-year tenure, Hakes participated in investments across more than 100 companies, contributing to numerous successful acquisitions and IPOs. 

At Howden Ventures, he will bring his extensive venture capital expertise to help seek out the most talented entrepreneurs, addressing the industry’s structural shift toward data-enriched and digitally enhanced underwriting models.

Tom Hoad, Head of Howden Ventures, said: "Luke's vast experience in the venture capital space and his track record of success makes him a valuable addition to Howden Ventures. His leadership will be instrumental as we continue to push the boundaries of innovation in underwriting and insurance."