With over 25 years’ experience at senior leadership and board level, Richard has coordinated R&D, product development, and commercial strategy across global operations — from multi-site industrial groups to cutting-edge university spin-outs. He brings deep expertise in transitioning technology businesses from early-stage innovation through to venture funding, scale-up and M&A.

His work spans IP protection, business development, and innovation leadership, particularly in the fields of Filtration & Separation, Life Sciences, Clean Water, Air Quality, and Sustainable Energy.

Richard has led global R&D programmes, worked with CROs and institutes on the commercialisation of novel technologies, and built collaborative pathways between science and market.

At Kognise, Richard supports our mission to unlock value at the intersection of technology, investment, and execution— shaping ventures with ambition and discipline.

Welcome, Richard

We’re off to the Chester Business Club Club5to7 event at the Artezzan Restaurant and Bar on 26/06/2025. This is a free event, open to Club members, their guests and the wider business community to attend for drinks and informal networking between 5pm and 7pm.

www.https://chesterbusinessclub.co.uk

It’s a great opportunity to catch up with people and enjoy a few nibbles. The booking link is below

https://chesterbusinessclub.beaconforms.com/form/040d2694

This morning, I had the privilege of attending the LCR Investor Pitch and Investor Partnership event hosted at Sci-Tech Daresbury—a dynamic showcase of innovation and collaboration in one of the UK’s most forward-thinking tech ecosystems.

🔹 First, a huge thank you to John Leake, Business Growth Director at Sci-Tech Daresbury, and Paul Treloar, Head of Business Support, for making space for me at the last minute and curating such a valuable programme. Also, a special thanks to Richard Lydon, who gave me the heads-up about the event and was great company—especially appreciated after a late night!

🔹 It was also a pleasure to meet up with Dr. Susanne Coles from Innovate UK Loans Ltd, and to meet a range of visionary founders .

What Made the Event Stand Out?

World-class venue: Sci-Tech Daresbury is more than just a tech park. It’s a deeply integrated innovation ecosystem—a hybrid physical and virtual campus where entrepreneurs, researchers, and funders collaborate to scale science-led businesses.

Exceptional pitches: The founders presenting today were well-prepared, purpose-driven, and already generating traction. Whether in AI, life sciences, clean tech or advanced engineering, the calibre of business and strategic vision was outstanding.

Meaningful connections: Beyond the pitches, the real value came from the quality of follow-up discussions—several of which are already turning into active conversations around support and investment.

Final Thoughts

Events like this are a reminder of the power of place-based innovation. Sci-Tech Daresbury plays a vital role in driving regional economic growth by connecting capital to capability. The atmosphere was energetic, forward-looking, and collaborative—a true testament to the ecosystem John, Paul, and the broader team have built.

Looking forward to continued engagement and supporting the next generation of standout ventures.

Kognise will be attending the LCR Investor pitch and investor partnership event – Thursday June 5th (8.30am – 2.00pm) at Sci-Tech Daresbury.

Sci-Tech Daresbury is a national science and innovation campus established back in 2006 and home to over 160 exciting science, technology and engineering companies. Notable exits over the years have been Auralis to US biotech Viropharma, FS Walker-Hughes to Amor Group and then subsequently to Lockheed Martin, Perceptive Engineering to US multi-billion dollar materials engineering business Applied Materials, and more recently Perfectus Biomed to NAMSA, a US Life Sciences CRO business.

Sci-Tech Daresbury, with its key joint venture partner STFC, provides a range of facilities, support services and networks that helps reduce the risk around its cluster of tech companies and accelerates their growth. Since it started in 2006, business failure rates on campus are an astonishing 7%. Alongside this, sales growth rates of 25%/year have been achieved in the past 5 years by companies on campus.

We are delighted to formally welcome Georgina Chapman as a partner at Kognise Ltd. Georgina brings an impressive breadth of experience and expertise that will undoubtedly enrich our firm and its future endeavours.

Georgina possesses an extensive and influential network, is a proven leader across both the Not-for-Profit (NFP) and For-Profit (FP) sectors, with a deep understanding of organisational dynamics and strategy. She has specialist skills in working with High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWI), providing tailored insights and strategic engagement. She has incredible organisational abilities and a distinguished track record as a project manager, ensuring precision and efficiency in all endeavours.

Outside of work Georgina is an accomplished equestrian, having owned and retrained racehorses, Georgina has cultivated an extensive network within the equestrian community, including breeding and performance expertise.

A Message from Anthony Keith King, Founder of Kognise Ltd:  “It is with immense pride and excitement that I welcome Georgina to Kognise Ltd as a partner. Her unique expertise, remarkable organisational skills, and broad network are an excellent fit for our firm’s vision and values. Her passion for connecting people and creating opportunities aligns perfectly with what we stand for, and I have no doubt she will play a vital role in driving us forward. Georgina, welcome to the team—it’s an honour to have you on board!”

Last night was a perfect example of how powerful business networking can be when you combine a fantastic venue, great company, and an atmosphere designed for meaningful connections. Courtesy of the Chester Business Club’s renowned 5 to 7 event, I had the pleasure of meeting and engaging with professionals from a diverse range of industries.

It was inspiring to see business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals come together to share experiences, discuss opportunities, and support one another’s ambitions. Artezzan Restaurants Ltd truly outdid themselves with their exquisite selection of snacks. Their commitment to quality and hospitality shone through in every bite.

These events serve as a great reminder that networking isn’t just about handing out business cards—it’s about forming genuine connections that can lead to exciting new ventures, partnerships, and friendships.

A huge thank you to Chester Business Club for organizing such a brilliant evening and to Artezzan for hosting us so beautifully. I’m already looking forward to the next gathering!

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 18, 2024 – The US SIF Foundation’s 15th Report on US Sustainable Investing Trends highlights climate action as the leading priority for sustainable investors, both in the short and long term. The report reveals that at the start of 2024, US sustainable investment assets totaled $6.5 trillion, accounting for 12% of all professionally managed US assets.

The 2024 US SIF Trends Report offers in-depth data on asset management firms and institutional asset owners employing sustainable investment strategies. It examines key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues shaping portfolio management, while also documenting the size and growth of the sustainable investment market, the findings of the Trends Survey, and emerging industry trends.

Key Insights and Survey Results

Leveraging advanced data analytics and AI tools, US SIF doubled survey participation compared to 2022, gathering responses from over 250 organizations. The findings underscore that addressing climate change and advancing the clean energy transition are top priorities for sustainable investors. Additionally, 73% of respondents anticipate market growth in sustainable investing over the next one to two years. However, only 39% expect their own organizations to increase sustainable investment efforts, suggesting the growth may largely stem from broader market participants.

Since its inception in 1995, the Trends Report has chronicled the transformation of sustainable investing from a niche, values-driven practice to a mainstream financial strategy focused on risks and opportunities. The 15th edition comes at a pivotal moment, as the industry faces challenges such as ESG pushback and greenwashing claims. Despite these obstacles, sustainable investing offers a pathway to address systemic global challenges like climate change, social inequities, and corporate governance.

Methodology Advancements

The 2024 report builds on the 2022 methodology, refining data collection and analysis for greater precision. In partnership with SDGlabs.ai, the report establishes baseline measures of sustainable investment, offering a snapshot of the current market to guide future comparisons. This enhanced methodology ensures consistent tracking and data interpretation, enabling stakeholders to make informed decisions.

Leadership and Expert Commentary

Maria Lettini, CEO of US SIF, emphasized the significant opportunities in climate-focused investing:
“Investor interest in capturing the opportunities of the climate transition remains substantial. Regulatory obligations, shifting client preferences, inter-generational wealth transfers, and the increasing financial risks from climate change are driving this interest.”

Andreas Hoepner, Chair & Co-Founder at SDGlabs.ai, highlighted the report’s rigorous methodology:
“This foundation allows us to confidently monitor trends and analyze actual behaviors. It provides a baseline for future comparisons and sets the stage for more frequent, forward-looking research.”

Anthony Eames, Managing Director at Calvert Research and Management, underscored the report’s value:
“The Trends Report plays a critical role in identifying drivers of value. It is an invaluable resource for understanding trends that impact sustainable investment portfolios.”

Jared Fernandez, Senior ESG Analyst at Boston Trust Walden, pointed to the importance of sustainability in business:
“To stay competitive in a dynamic environment, companies must manage sustainability risks and seize opportunities. The 2024 Trends Report provides key insights based on credible data, making it an essential resource for the industry.”

Dan Hanson, Managing Director at Neuberger Berman, stressed the importance of stewardship:
“This report highlights the intrinsic value of stewardship in creating resilient outcomes. Shareholder engagement remains a critical strategy for sustainable investing.”

A Path Forward

The 2024 US SIF Trends Report reaffirms the growing relevance of sustainable investing in addressing global challenges. By offering actionable insights and a rigorous framework for understanding market dynamics, the report continues to serve as a cornerstone for the industry’s evolution.

This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with some of the North’s most dynamic hi-tech entrepreneurs, corporates, universities, support organisations and funding and professional communities.

SCHEDULE

• 08.15 am/08.30 am – Arrival and registration
• 08.30 am – 08.55 am – Networking
• 09.00 am – Hybrid live event starts (Elevator pitches)
• 09. 45 am – Hybrid event finish
• 09.45 am – 10.15 am – Networking

Sci-Tech Daresbury,
Keckwick Lane,
Daresbury WA4 4FS

01925 984 182

info@sci-techdaresbury.com

London Tech Week is the global tech ecosystem – where visionaries and entrepreneurs, investors and enterprise tech leaders come together in the right balance to accelerate the infinite cycle of tech innovation. This is a unique forum to connect with leading VCs, CVCs and angel investors, whether they are  based here, in one of the world’s biggest financial centres, or join from all over the world.

Get in contact and arrange to meet up for a coffee and informal chat.

https://londontechweek.com