Leadership Team

Simon has overall responsibility for the day-to-day decisions and strategic direction of Octopus Group.

Much of his time is spent looking for new opportunities for Octopus, such as moving into the commercial energy sector with Octopus Energy.

Before founding Octopus in 2000, Simon spent two years working at Mercury Asset Management. He holds a first-class MA in Modern Languages from St. Andrews University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Alison is Co-Head of Retail Investments, responsible for creating, owning and delivering Octopus Investment’s business strategy and managing several key business functions, including: Strategy, Change and Transformation; Marketing; Communications; and Retail Investment Products. Alison joined in 2021 following various senior roles at NatWest Group, including Head of Strategy & Delivery for Esme Loans, the digital SME lender for NatWest Bank and VP for Structured Finance.

Kristy is Co-Head of Retail Investments, responsible for creating, owning and delivering Octopus Investments’ retail business strategy and leading the Customer & Sales team. She joined Octopus Investments as Distribution Director in September 2021 from Abrdn, where she was responsible for the key strategic partners of Aberdeen Standard Investments and Standard Life. Kristy was previously Head of Institutional, Europe for BMO Global Asset Management and spent 15 years in various sales and client management roles within hedge funds and real estate.

Jonathan manages a number of our central support services. Jonathan joined Octopus in 2019. His previous roles include Chief Operating Officer of Zoopla’s software business and Managing Director of TripAdvisor’s holiday lettings business.

John joined Octopus in 2015 as Head of Risk. He began his career at PwC London, before moving to UBS, where he covered risks across the whole business in Wealth Management, Asset Management and the Investment Bank.

Anna is responsible for anything related to recruiting, developing, and retaining people at Octopus. Her main priority is making Octopus a great place to work, ensuring all employees are treated fairly and equally. Anna joined Octopus in 2017 from the Civil Service, where she led the Business Partner and Recruitment Team for the Department of Business and Industrial Strategy.

With overall responsibility for the Quoted Companies team at Octopus, Richard has over 25 years’ experience of smaller company investing. He is lead manager of our FP Octopus UK Micro Cap Growth Fund, also oversees the investment process of the team which include the AIM IHT portfolios, and AIM VCTs. Richard is also a co-manager on the FP Octopus UK Multi Cap Income & FP Octopus UK Future Generation Funds. Richard started his career in 1995 at Duncan Lawrie, where he managed a successful small companies fund. He subsequently joined Close Brothers to manage a smaller companies investment trust before moving to Octopus Investments Limited to head up the Quoted Companies team in 2004.

Ed joined Octopus in 2010. He is head of the Octopus Inheritance Tax Service, which includes Fern Trading and the Octopus Trading Partnership, and is responsible for the investment performance of these products. He is also a member of the Octopus investment committee and is a director of several Octopus portfolio companies.

Richard joined Octopus Ventures in 2017 and was the fund manager of the Octopus Apollo VCT from 2019. Since August 2024 he is Head of VCTs and EIS where he oversees all of Octopus Ventures’ retail investment funds. Richard has invested in UK and international SMEs since 2006. He previously worked at private equity firm TPG’s direct lending fund, at UK-focused private equity firm RJD Partners and at Dresdner Kleinwort in the bank’s principal finance group.

Simon has overall responsibility for the day-to-day decisions and strategic direction of Octopus Group.

Much of his time is spent looking for new opportunities for Octopus, such as moving into the commercial energy sector with Octopus Energy.

Before founding Octopus in 2000, Simon spent two years working at Mercury Asset Management. He holds a first-class MA in Modern Languages from St. Andrews University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Stuart is the Chair of the Octopus Investments Limited Board. He was appointed March 2024.

Ruth is CEO of Octopus Money, a money advice brand for everyone. She believes everyone should be able to get help with their money, regardless of how much they earn or are able to invest.

Ruth has been part of the Octopus Group since 2018. Before Octopus Money, she was CEO of Octopus Investments. She sits on the Octopus Group Board. Ruth has had more work lives than an octopus has tentacles: her career has spanned roles that have included zoology, strategic consultancy, finance director for Barcardi’s Martini & Cognac portfolios, founding employee of a challenger bank, and working in Sierra Leone for the Ministry of Trade.

Lieven has a long-established career in asset management, including 20 years at Schroders Investment Management. His career at Schroders spanned roles in Hong Kong, including Chief Executive of the Asia Pacific region, and London, as Global Head of Distribution and member of the Group Management Committee. In the latter roles, he was responsible for leading on the strategy and growth of the institutional, retail and wealth management businesses. Lieven also served on the Board of Greencoat Capital, the investment manager to Greencoat UK Wind, the leading listed renewable infrastructure trust. 
 
Most recently Lieven has worked as a Senior Advisor with the Boston Consulting Group, providing consulting expertise in the firm’s financial institution practice, focusing on private markets, asset and wealth management.

Jonathan manages a number of our central support services. Jonathan joined Octopus in 2019. His previous roles include Chief Operating Officer of Zoopla’s software business and Managing Director of TripAdvisor’s holiday lettings business.