Board of Directors

Erik has an extensive background of developing and commercialising technology businesses, with 30 years international experience in private equity and entrepreneurial ventures. He has been an active investor and Chair, or Board Director, in 25 companies, many in complementary sectors to Pragmatic. He brings a strong track record in chairing public companies and raising capital, for example recently leading CMR Surgical Ltd to a valuation of over £1 billion.

Scott is an experienced serial entrepreneur, leading his sixth technology venture as CEO of Pragmatic. He was also a co-founder and board director at computer vision-based AI company Cortexica, acquired by Zebra Technologies. Past successes include Azea Networks, which he grew from concept to 8 figure sales levels before acquisition. He has lived and worked across the globe including Australia, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, the US and UK.

Richard has over 25 years experience in the development and commercialisation of a wide-range of new technologies based on novel processes, materials and flexible electronics. Richard has a BSc and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Durham. He is inventor/co-inventor on over 25 patent families. Richard is a non-executive director at the Henry Royce Institute – the UK’s National Institute for advanced materials research.

Rian is a fellow ICAEW Chartered Accountant who trained with Price Waterhouse Coopers and has spent most of his career in high growth, intellectual property driven, deeply technical businesses. He was most recently CFO of McLaren Automotive, the iconic global supercar manufacturer. He has been instrumental in the strategic growth and expansion of multiple companies, which involved raising significant amounts of private equity funding.

Andrew is the Managing Partner at Cambridge Innovation Capital (CIC) and has considerable experience of building technology businesses. Prior to joining CIC, he was at True North Venture Partners in Chicago. Before this Andrew spent ten years leading materials science and semiconductor research in US government research laboratories, followed by managing director positions at venture capital funds Physic Ventures in San Francisco and MalibuIQ in Los Angeles.

Laurence is VP of segment strategy for client computing at Arm and has previously held other senior leadership positions, including responsibilities for defining corporate strategies, product marketing and business development across multiple markets and eco-systems. Laurence has over 25 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, including at Atmel and Infineon. Laurence has a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Plymouth.

Dave was CTO at Avery Dennison from 2006 to 2012, where he was responsible for the R&D and Technology function of the Corporation. Dave joined Avery Dennison in 1999 as New Business Development Director. Previously he was MD of the British Printing Company and he was an R&D Scientist at Union Carbide. He has 25 granted patents and continues to advise companies through his position as senior partner at Flex R&D Inc.

Birger is Board Chair of multiple technology businesses including Internet of Things pioneer and global Bluetooth LE market leader Nordic Semiconductor ASA, business network innovator Pagero AB, and German care technology leader myneva GmbH. He is also a Thematic Partner at Summa Equity’s Tech-enabled Transformation team. Previously Birger was CEO at Parallels, Inc. and held senior roles at Microsoft Corporation including Vice President of Worldwide SMB and Distribution.