The UK R&D Society was founded to be the authoritative voice for UK technology businesses, focused on the commercialisation of research and advocating to government, investors, and intervention agencies to develop a sustainable industrial strategy that supports economic and social growth in regions across the nation.
Most recently, the RDS published a response to the UK Government Industrial Strategy Green Paper ‘Invest 2035’ published in November 2024.
Pierre Socha joins Jamie Urquhart, co-founder of semiconductor company Arm, and Sir Richard Sykes, former CEO and Chairman of GlaxoWellcome and GlaxoSmithKline, on the Strategic Advisory Board of the R&D Society, contributing to the Society’s recommendations to the Government on the UK Industrial Strategy.
Pierre is a Partner at Amadeus Capital Partners, a European venture investor that for three decades has backed trailblazing startups in transformational technologies including machine learning, quantum computing, semiconductors, cybersecurity and healthcare.
At Amadeus, Pierre leads investments in the health and biotechnology sectors, with a range of companies in synthetic biology, cell and gene therapy manufacturing, organ transplantation and AI. Prior to joining Amadeus, Pierre was an analyst at Natixis before joining biotech Avesthagen where he helped grow the business globally over a decade, with activities spanning from medical nutrition to population genetics. His knowledge and experience will help RDS develop a compelling strategy for growth in these sectors, potentially adding significant value to the UK economy.
Pierre Socha said: “Growth in the UK will be driven by innovation, and the country hosts exceptional talent and visionary entrepreneurs in healthcare and biotech. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the R&D Society’s mission, supporting tech transformation by driving forward commercialisation, and having a positive effect both on the economy and people’s health and wellbeing.
Iain Simpson, Chair the R&D Society, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Pierre to our advisory board. Key in realising the UK’s growth ambitions is the need to attract investment into existing commercial organisations as well as the creation of new ventures in the key market spaces. Pierre’s extensive investment experience will be invaluable as we develop our ideas around a data driven and evidence-based approach to industrial strategy.”
About Amadeus Capital Partners
A trailblazer for three decades, we invest in people who create transformational technologies and sustainable businesses. We back early stage and growth companies from our locations in Cambridge, London, Oxford, and San Francisco, and with our DACH partners Apex Ventures. Find out more here and follow us on LinkedIn and X.