Richard Vellacott

Richard Vellacott is an authentic, passionate, and entrepreneurial leader who drives transformational change through purposeful vision, exceptional talent, and quality capital.

With a background in life sciences and technology sectors, he excels in delivering high growth to companies ranging from private start-ups to globally listed businesses in the UK and the US.

As the co-founder, CEO, and Chair of BiologIC Technologies Limited, Richard focuses on integrating Industry 4.0 technologies to address significant challenges like feeding a growing global population, combating climate change, and tackling diseases sustainably and economically.

During his tenure at Horizon Discovery Group plc, Richard played pivotal roles such as interim CEO, deputy CEO, CFO, COO, and Company Secretary, leading the company's growth from a £3m revenue private entity to a £60m revenue global leader in gene editing with a valuation of £350m.

Richard orchestrated one of the most successful Life Science listings on AIM, raising £68.6m through an oversubscribed IPO, and successfully handled fundraisings, acquisitions, and hostile bid defense strategies.

Prior to his time at Horizon, he served as the Vice President of Finance at CSR plc, a dual-listed FTSE 250 company with billion-dollar revenues, and as a director at Deloitte focusing on life sciences, collaborating with prestigious companies like AstraZeneca, Vectura, CAT, Acambis, and Abcam on capital market transactions including IPOs, M&As, and fundraisings on various stock exchanges.

Richard Vellacott holds a first-class honours degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Durham and is a qualified chartered accountant. He is known for his thought leadership in life sciences, advisory roles in European funding committees, and mentorship activities to nurture emerging talent.