Robert has been part of the Oxx journey since the beginning, joining our co-founders Richard and Mikael in the investment committee, and coming onboard as a Senior Adviser. Passionate about technology, Robert is a past Chairman of the British Venture Capital Association (just like Richard) and a serial investor in technology driven, small and start-up businesses – including in Oxx and the predecessor funds that led to the firm’s founding.
Robert is a former Partner at The Carlyle Group, the global alternative asset management company, where he performed multiple roles as an investor, including running the buyout team in the UK, serving as co-head of Carlyle Europe Technology Partners and leading Carlyle’s Ireland focused fund. Across his 19 years at the firm, he served on multiple portfolio company boards in many different sectors.
Beyond the investment world, Robert is deeply engaged in higher education, holding leadership roles at Imperial College London and the University of Oxford. Why these two particular standouts of higher education? Unsurprisingly, it’s a result of his own studies – Robert’s academic credentials include a Doctorate in Organic Synthesis from Oxford and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Imperial.
He is also a Trustee of Cancer Research UK, a Fellow of the British Heart Foundation and a Trustee of the Young Vic Theatre. Philanthropically, he funds causes in science, sport, music, higher education, conservation and sub-Saharan Africa.