Edge Investments (Edge), a growth investor in the UK creative economy, has appointed Simon Andrews as Chief Investment Officer (CIO), to help drive growth and realise the potential of its current and future portfolio companies.
Andrews has a wealth of experience throughout the venture capital world, joining Edge from the Business Growth Fund (BGF), the UK’s most active investment company, and having spent nearly eight years at Octopus Ventures prior to that. Before moving into venture capital entirely, Simon worked at Silicon Valley Bank working around M&A Advisory and debt financing solutions for venture-backed companies. He has also held positions at leading equity research houses with a focus on technology, including at Jefferies, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and BNP Paribas.
Throughout his career, Andrews has been pivotal in driving the growth of early-stage creative and technology companies, as well as holding board seats at many of them, including Streetbees, The Plum Guide, BehavioSec, Token, Trouva and Triptease. As Chief Investment Officer, Andrews will help Edge’s early-stage current and future portfolio companies grow scale and grow to reach their full potential.
Utilising the best talent is the cornerstone of everything that Edge sets out to do. Last year, Edge announced the founding of the Edge Advisor Panel, bringing together a leading group of experts and industry leaders from ITV, Stanford University, LionTree, Nokia, CVC Capital Partners, Oracle, BBC, Google and YouTube, among others. Andrews’ appointment acts as another key milestone for Edge’s talent base, as it continues to work towards the first close of its second-generation fund, Create the Future.
David Glick, CEO and Founder of Edge Investments, says: “I’m delighted to welcome Simon to the team. The pandemic has been a challenging time for all. But the expansion of our team, in addition to the recent establishment of our advisory panel, is a testament to the resilience and ambition of the creative economy, and the talented entrepreneurs up and down the UK. We look forward to working with Simon as we embark on a pivotal year for Edge.”
Andrews says: “It’s fantastic to be joining a team as visionary and dynamic as Edge Investments. Edge’s approach is innovative, robust and dedicated, a true testament to the potential and opportunities of the creative economy. Over the years I’ve watched David and his team identify and partner with numerous market leaders and industry disruptors; I am truly excited to be a part of the next stage of their journey.”
Gregory Dray, Director, Kids, Family Entertainment and Education at Google/YouTube EMEA; International Managing Director, YouTube Kids, and Edge Advisor Panellist, says: “The creative economy is an exciting space, and IP intensive industries have demonstrated significant resilience in the face of the challenges posed by the pandemic. We are delighted to see Simon join the Edge Investments team. His proven expertise in growing strong businesses and building sustainable value will be a further boost to Edge’s industry leading position, at the helm of the creative economy.”
Tanit Koch, former Editor-in-Chief of BILD newspaper, Managing Director n-tv and Edge Advisor Panellist, says: “Simon’s industry knowledge embraces the full spectrum of business capabilities and he has an acute understanding of how to accelerate growth. His appointment demonstrates the momentum of Edge within the UK’s homegrown innovation sphere which I’m sure will ultimately support the recovery of the UK economy.”
Source: Private Equity Wire
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