Mr Nigel Brown, OBE

KANDO id: 25628

Bio

Started his own business, NW Brown Group, in Cambridge in 1974 and by 2007, when he retired, it employed nearly 100 people and managed discretionary funds of over $1bn. Since the early 1990s, spent most of his time helping early stage businesses with finance and advice. As part of this process, formed the GEIF and was co-founder of the Cambridge Network. Raised his first venture capital fund, the $70m Gateway Fund in 2001 and was part of the team which raised the IQ Capital Fund in 2006. His efforts on behalf of early stage companies achieved national recognition when he received an individual Queen’s award for enterprise promotion in 2006, and an OBE in 2007 Chairs IQ Capital and GEIF and keeps an active involvement in university and charitable activities, including membership of the University of Cambridge Council, the chairing of its Audit Committee and Chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership. Supports the performing arts, especially music through his own charity, The Stradivari Trust, which raises substantial funds for the purchase of rare stringed instruments for gifted musicians.

Education