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 has over 20 years of experience in securities operations, including trade execution, settlements, reconciliations, and regulatory compliance. She previously held roles at Credit Suisse and ABN AMRO, working within Settlement Operations and Dealing Teams. Since joining 1818 in 2022, Dawn has been responsible for investor onboarding, trade processing, and supporting 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 spent many years in private legal practise, including a number of years as a Partner with a leading offshore law firm. He subsequently went on to become a Director and Shareholder of Trust Corporation International, a leading provider of offshore fiduciary and corporate services, which he and his colleagues successfully sold to Ocorian in 2021. Andrew now acts as a consultant and non-executive Director to, amongst others, 1818 Venture Capital Limited, bringing deep expertise in structuring, governance, and financial services regulation. His work as a legal and fiduciary practitioner has been recognised by a number of leading industry commentators including 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.