Exclusive: Ex-Atomico partner Anu Adebajo appointed boss of Newton Venture Program

Anu Adebajo, former partner at Atomico, has taken the top job at Newton Venture Program.

Backed by LocalGlobe, Phoenix Court, and London Business School, Newton was set up in 2020 to help aspiring VCs – especially women and people from underrepresented backgrounds – break into an industry that remains overwhelmingly white and male.

“I know what it's like to be the only one who looks like me in the boardroom,” Adebajo – who spent almost a decade as an LP at British Business Bank and British Patient Capital – tells Impact Loop in an interview.

Newton says over 3000 students have gone through its four training programmes so far, of which over half are from underrepresented backgrounds and 60% are women. Now, Adebajo has been picked to lead the organisation’s next phase of growth.

“I can’t wait to expand the impact of our programs,” Adebajo told Impact Loop in an interview, adding that the organisation planned to expand beyond its four core courses and was also exploring expanding into new locations outside of the UK and Europe.

“I truly believe in the [Newton’s] mission because ultimately I believe in venture and its potential to have an outsized impact on society,” Adebajo said. “But I also believe to realise the potential we need to get the best talent from all walks of life.”

Adebajo will join a core management team comprising current managing director Shayan Roy Chowdhury, marketing manager Seyi Owolawi, and head of programs and community Kelechi Achinonu (all pictured top).

Newton’s courses are taught by lecturers at universities including Oxford, Imperial College London, King’s College, and London Business School. They also regularly bring in guest investors from VCs including Speedinvest, Sequoia, Octopus Ventures, and inclusive investing firm Ada Ventures.

Newton board member Pam Burton, a venture partner at LocalGlobe, said the program had become a “vital part” of the venture ecosystem and that was “reshaping” the next generation of investors.

“The board is delighted to welcome [Adebajo] as CEO and excited about the role Newton will play in building a stronger, more inclusive venture industry,” Burton added.

Despite the backlash against diversity and inclusion initiatives over the last year or so, Adebajo remains positive.

“If you look past the headlines, my experience is that much of the work is still being done [to improve diversity in tech and venture],” she said, while admitting that much more work still needs to be done.