Silicon Valley Bank UK CEO Erin Platts set to join Founders Forum Group Board of Directors
London: 10 November 2022 – Founders Forum Group (FF Group), an event-powered community and group of businesses supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their development today announced it has strengthened its relationship with SVB Financial Group (SVB), the financial partner of the innovation economy, through a new Global Partnering Agreement.
SVB, the ultimate parent of Silicon Valley Bank UK, has taken a part-ownership stake in FF Group and Silicon Valley Bank UK’s CEO and Head of EMEA, Erin Platts, will join the FF Group board, bringing her deep expertise in financing innovation economy businesses and supporting the UK and Europe’s leaders within the global innovation economy.
In addition to this agreement, Silicon Valley Bank UK will be a leading partner of flagship Founders Forum events. The enhanced partnership will see deeper collaboration between the two organisations around the Founders Forum Events programme on a global scale, including forums in London, Berlin and New York.
Silicon Valley Bank UK and FF Group will develop and produce a variety of events and content in support of entrepreneurs at every stage of their business growth via industry networking, education and thought leadership. Both Silicon Valley Bank UK and FF Group are focused on supporting the global innovation economy and will work together to fuel entrepreneurial growth, supporting leading innovation businesses across a range of geographic markets and industry sectors.
Carolyn Dawson, CEO of Founders Forum Group said: “SVB is a great brand with a similar growth strategy to ours; they’re focused on fuelling the founders of the future, making them an ideal partner as we seek to expand our remit to help more founders be successful. SVB’s clients will gain access to a range of FF Group services tailored to scaling founders and FF’s far-reaching community will gain access to SVB’s services and its global network.”
Brent Hoberman, Co-Founder & Executive Chair of Founders Forum Group said: “We welcome SVB as a new shareholder to the FF Group. The partnership will enable us to continue to improve the quality and depth of our events every year and further broaden our transatlantic reach. In addition, we will look to launch more ventures in Europe and explore opportunities to do this with SVB.”
Erin Platts, CEO of Silicon Valley Bank UK and Head of EMEA said: “This exciting global partnership and part-ownership stake is an investment in our ongoing relationship with Founders Forum and commitment to support the next generation of entrepreneurs, from early-stage startups and scaleups, to large corporations and investors. Our vision for the global innovation economy is aligned with Founders Forum’s vision and we view it as a natural long-term partner in driving innovation forward globally.”
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About Founders Forum Group
Founders Forum Group is an event-powered community and group of businesses supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their journeys. Its invite-only forums unite the world’s most influential founders, investors, corporate and government leaders to tackle era-defining questions in iconic locations across the globe.
Since 2019, Founders Forum has partnered with Informa Tech to celebrate the strength and diversity of UK tech through London Tech Week. The joint venture allows LTW to enrich its impact with sector-specific and diversity-driven events including ClimateTech, Elevating Founders, EQL Her, and HealthTech.
Fuelled by the connections and ideas forged at the group’s flagship events, Founders Forum businesses support the needs of today’s founders via networking (Grip), education (01 Founders and Framework), professional services (Founders Keepers and Founders Law), investment (Founders Factory and firstminute capital) and philanthropy (The Centre for Entrepreneurs and Founders Pledge). In 2021, the group sold its innovation strategy consulting firm, Founders Intelligence, to global consultancy, Accenture.
For more information, contact:
Emily Miller
Head of Marketing
Founders Forum Group
emily@ff.co
Mobile: (+44) 0793 242 2765
About Silicon Valley Bank UK
Silicon Valley Bank UK Limited, the bank of the world’s most innovative companies and investors, provides commercial banking services, expertise and insights to the technology, life science and healthcare, private equity and venture capital industries across the UK & EMEA. Silicon Valley Bank UK’s commercial banking and lending services help address the unique needs of its dynamic, fast-growing, innovative clients.Learn more: svb.com/uk.
Silicon Valley Bank UK Limited is registered in England and Wales at Alphabeta, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1BR, UK (Company Number 12546585). Silicon Valley Bank UK Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority (Firm Reference Number 543146).
© 2022 SVB Financial Group. All rights reserved. SVB, SVB FINANCIAL GROUP, SILICON VALLEY BANK and the chevron device are trademarks of SVB Financial Group, used under license. [SIVB-C]
Mat Gazeley
PR Manager
Silicon Valley Bank UK
mgazeley@svb.com
Mobile: (+44) 07833446870