Former Atomico partner Anu Adebajo has been chosen as the new chief executive officer of the prominent Newton Venture Program.
Founded by Phoenix Court and London Business School, Newton Venture Program is an educational course designed to train new generations of venture capital talent.
The scheme was launched in 2020 and has since amassed an international community of more than 3,000 students practicing investment in more than 50 countries.
Adebajo has been chosen to lead the project due to her strong background in investment, most recently holding the position of partner at the VC firm Atomico.
She has also held senior investment positions at British Business Bank and its subsidiary British Patient Capital, first joining the government-owned development bank in 2012.
“VC is at a crossroads. As the flow of capital slows and we see a reduction in exits across the ecosystem, VCs at all levels are competing in an ever-tightening market,” said Adebajo.
“With this in mind, it’s never been more important for early-career investors to showcase their value with deep technical understanding and strong industry instincts. As someone who is inspired by Newton’s mission, I can’t wait to expand the impact of our programs at this crucial juncture for our industry.”
Newton has reported a recent surge in demand for its training programmes, with the group having seen a 57% rise in applications for the Newton Fellowship in the past six months.
“We owe it to the next generation of investors to ensure the support they receive is truly world-leading,” Adebajo added.
“As the market becomes more saturated and competition for roles intensifies, those who can differentiate themselves through ‘human’ skills, expert understanding, and a genuine ability to add value will be the ones who stand out.”