We are a team of founders and operational experts.

Richard Avery-Wright

Founding Partner and CEO

Richard is a seasoned investor and serial entrepreneur with nearly four decades of experience across public and private markets. He has co-founded and led several high-performing ventures, including Pie Funds (AUM NZ$2.5bn), Castle Point, RAW Capital Partners, and Wealthify, which was acquired by Aviva in 2020. As the Founder of 1818 Venture Capital, Richard brings deep expertise across venture capital, private debt, and public equities. His track record is marked by consistent performance and remarkably low failure rates. Today, he provides strategic oversight and continues to drive the long-term success of the firm and its investors.

Ben Lloyd

Partner

Ben is a venture capital investor and financial technology specialist with a background spanning digital banking, high-growth startups, and institutional innovation. Before joining 1818 Venture Capital, he held senior leadership roles at one of the world’s largest banks, serving as Head of Digital Product and Chief Digital & Innovation Officer. He was instrumental in shaping the bank’s innovation strategy and was an early contributor to FinTech ecosystems in both the UK and Saudi Arabia. Ben brings deep experience in financial product development, payment systems, and growth infrastructure across early-stage ventures and FTSE-listed companies. At 1818, he co-leads strategy, sourcing, and portfolio management, with a particular focus on bridging capital and innovation between the UK and the Middle East.

Daisy Avery-Wright

Investor Relations Associate

Daisy oversees the day-to-day operations of 1818 Venture Capital, playing a central role across compliance, investor relations, internal processes, and strategic initiatives. In addition, she sits on the Investment Committee, leveraging her experience from her time at Credit Suisse, KPMG, and other early-stage ventures. She brings a strong blend of operational discipline and interpersonal skills, ensuring the business runs smoothly and that both clients and portfolio companies are well supported. Daisy received a first-class degree in Business Management and French from Cardiff University.

Harry Williams

Investment Associate

Harry is a venture capital professional and member of the Investment Committee. He leads the top-of-funnel at the firm, and has been closely involved in over 25 early-stage investments and plays a key role in financial modelling, due diligence, investment strategy, and supporting portfolio companies through growth and follow-on funding. His background spans corporate strategy, digital transformation, and communications, having previously worked on global initiatives at BMW. Harry brings strong analytical ability, a collaborative approach, and deep connections across the venture ecosystem.

Julia Bowerman

Operations Executive

Julia is an experienced operations and project management professional, supporting investment operations, compliance, ESG reporting, and client communications. She has worked across Europe and Latin America and is a successful entrepreneur in both the UK and Peru. Fluent in Spanish and French, Julia brings a global perspective and a strong track record in building systems, managing logistics, and solving complex problems under pressure.

Dawn Pybus

Investor Relations Associate

Dawn brings over 20 years of experience in securities operations, with deep expertise in trade execution, settlements, reconciliations, and regulatory compliance. She held senior roles at Credit Suisse and ABN AMRO, managing complex global trading operations. Since joining 1818 in 2022, she has led investor onboarding, trade processing, and compliance — playing a key role in the firm’s operational resilience.

Andy Parr

Chief Financial Officer

Andy is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of experience in audit, fiduciary services, and financial leadership. He previously served as Managing Director at Hansard Limited for over 15 years, leading with a hands-on, client-first approach. At 1818, Andy brings deep operational and analytical experience to his role as CFO, supporting the firm’s financial oversight, growth strategy, and investor reporting. He is a Fellow of the ICAEW and holds a degree in Mathematics, Operational Research, Statistics, and Economics from the University of Warwick.

Andrew Walters

Director

Andrew is a corporate lawyer and fiduciary expert with over 20 years of experience advising private capital vehicles, investment funds, and family offices. A qualified Barrister, Solicitor, and Guernsey Advocate, he has held senior roles at leading law firms and co-founded Trust Corporation International, which he scaled and successfully exited to Ocorian. Andrew advises HNWIs, family offices, and regulated firms, bringing deep expertise in structuring, governance, and cross-border regulation. He is consistently recognised in Chambers, The Legal 500, and IFLR.

Ben Nichols

Director

Ben is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser with extensive experience in financial reporting, risk management, and regulatory oversight. He trained at Deloitte and has worked across both advisory and financial services roles since 2014. As a Non-Executive Director at 1818 Venture Capital, Ben provides financial insight and strategic guidance, drawing on his technical expertise and commercial judgement to support board-level decision making.

Clive Damsell

Director

Clive is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser with a long-standing career in fiduciary services, private equity, and investment structures. He has held leadership roles at regulated firms and served on the boards of trust companies, captive insurers, and funds. A former shareholder in Mercator Holdings, he played a key role in its successful sale to First Names Group (later acquired by IQEQ). Clive brings commercial insight, governance expertise, and clear judgement to his advisory roles.

Tim Parkes

Director

With over 30 years of experience in fund management, banking, and financial services, Tim boasts an impressive career trajectory. He has held prominent positions at a FTSE listed Bank and garnered more than a decade of expertise in offshore fund management and administration. Tim's educational background includes a BSc (Hons), a Diploma in Marketing, and the Institute of Directors Diploma in Company Direction. Tim is an avid personal investor, actively investing in early-stage growth companies, particularly within the FinTech sector.