Leadership team
Meet the people leading Octopus Capital
Bringing together deep investment expertise and an entrepreneurial drive to make a difference.
Our leadership team
We are part of a group of remarkable companies – built over 25 years.
Octopus Capital, part of Octopus Investments, is a B-Corp certified investment company. Our team of experts support our institutional clients’ investment objectives with impact-focused strategies aligned to solving the world’s greatest challenges.
Lieven Debruyne
CEO, Octopus Capital
Lieven leads Octopus Capital and brings over two decades of global asset management experience. He spent 20 years at Schroders, holding senior roles in Hong Kong and London, including CEO of Asia Pacific and Global Head of Distribution.
He served on the Group Management Committee and helped grow Schroders’ institutional, retail and wealth businesses. Lieven was also a Board member of Greencoat Capital.
Before joining Octopus, he was a Senior Advisor at Boston Consulting Group, supporting private markets clients across strategy, distribution and innovation.
He served on the Group Management Committee and helped grow Schroders’ institutional, retail and wealth businesses. Lieven was also a Board member of Greencoat Capital.
Before joining Octopus, he was a Senior Advisor at Boston Consulting Group, supporting private markets clients across strategy, distribution and innovation.
Jonathan Digges
Chief Investment Officer
Jonathan is responsible for the investment strategy across Octopus Capital’s fund management businesses, which manage more than £10 billion in client assets.
He joined Octopus in 2015, previously managing the Inheritance Tax Service. Before this, he worked at Lloyds, BNP Paribas, Robert Fleming and PwC. He is a Chartered Accountant and holds an MA in Geography from the University of Oxford.
He joined Octopus in 2015, previously managing the Inheritance Tax Service. Before this, he worked at Lloyds, BNP Paribas, Robert Fleming and PwC. He is a Chartered Accountant and holds an MA in Geography from the University of Oxford.
Caroline Turner
Head of Client Group
Caroline leads our institutional client and consultant engagement strategy. She works closely with investment teams to build strong partnerships and deliver meaningful client outcomes.
She joined from Willis Towers Watson, where she spent 15 years advising on investment strategy and ESG, and leading on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Caroline holds a degree in Mathematics from the University of Exeter and the Investment Management Certificate.
She joined from Willis Towers Watson, where she spent 15 years advising on investment strategy and ESG, and leading on diversity, equity and inclusion.
Caroline holds a degree in Mathematics from the University of Exeter and the Investment Management Certificate.
Alan Cauberghs
Head of Private Debt
Alan joined Octopus Capital in 2025 to lead our private debt platform. He brings extensive experience in direct lending, private credit and alternative assets.
Previously, he was at Investcorp and Generali, where he helped build Schroders’ private assets platform. He also co-founded Serone Capital, an alternative credit manager focused on structured and distressed strategies.
Alan holds an MSc in Finance and Economics from the University of Antwerp and is a CFA Charterholder.
Previously, he was at Investcorp and Generali, where he helped build Schroders’ private assets platform. He also co-founded Serone Capital, an alternative credit manager focused on structured and distressed strategies.
Alan holds an MSc in Finance and Economics from the University of Antwerp and is a CFA Charterholder.
Edward Clough
Head of Real Estate
Ed leads Octopus Real Estate and sits on the Investment Committee. Since joining in 2017, he’s helped expand the platform across care homes, affordable housing and specialist real estate.
He previously led our Care Homes and Corporate Development teams. Before Octopus, Ed trained as a lawyer at Allen & Overy.
He holds a BA in Economics from Durham University and an MBA from the University of Cambridge.
He previously led our Care Homes and Corporate Development teams. Before Octopus, Ed trained as a lawyer at Allen & Overy.
He holds a BA in Economics from Durham University and an MBA from the University of Cambridge.
Sam Reynolds
CEO, Octopus Australia
Sam founded Octopus Australia in 2018 and leads the team’s energy transition strategy across wind, solar and battery storage.
He originally joined Octopus UK in 2012 as Head of Energy Investments, later leading the London Renewables team.
Under his leadership, the Australian platform has grown into a multi-billion-dollar portfolio with offices in Melbourne and Sydney. Sam also champions community programmes and government partnerships.
He originally joined Octopus UK in 2012 as Head of Energy Investments, later leading the London Renewables team.
Under his leadership, the Australian platform has grown into a multi-billion-dollar portfolio with offices in Melbourne and Sydney. Sam also champions community programmes and government partnerships.
John Averill
Chief Risk Officer
John oversees risk management at Octopus Capital. He joined in 2015 and has helped shape our approach to risk across private markets and real assets.
He began his career at PwC before moving to UBS, where he worked across wealth management, asset management and investment banking.
John brings a strong track record in building robust, scalable risk frameworks aligned to long-term growth.
He began his career at PwC before moving to UBS, where he worked across wealth management, asset management and investment banking.
John brings a strong track record in building robust, scalable risk frameworks aligned to long-term growth.
Octopus Investments Limited board members
Simon Rogerson
Group CEO
Simon has overall responsibility for the day-to-day decisions and strategic direction of Octopus Group.
Much of his time is spent looking for new opportunities for Octopus, such as moving into the commercial energy sector with Octopus Energy.
Before founding Octopus in 2000, Simon spent two years working at Mercury Asset Management. He holds a first-class MA in Modern Languages from St. Andrews University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Much of his time is spent looking for new opportunities for Octopus, such as moving into the commercial energy sector with Octopus Energy.
Before founding Octopus in 2000, Simon spent two years working at Mercury Asset Management. He holds a first-class MA in Modern Languages from St. Andrews University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Stuart Quickenden
Chair
Stuart is the Chair of the Octopus Investments Limited Board. He was appointed March 2024.
Ruth Handcock
Non Executive Director
Ruth is CEO of Octopus Money, a money advice brand for everyone. She believes everyone should be able to get help with their money, regardless of how much they earn or are able to invest.
Ruth has been part of the Octopus Group since 2018. Before Octopus Money, she was CEO of Octopus Investments. She sits on the Octopus Group Board. Ruth has had more work lives than an octopus has tentacles: her career has spanned roles that have included zoology, strategic consultancy, finance director for Barcardi’s Martini & Cognac portfolios, founding employee of a challenger bank, and working in Sierra Leone for the Ministry of Trade.
Ruth has been part of the Octopus Group since 2018. Before Octopus Money, she was CEO of Octopus Investments. She sits on the Octopus Group Board. Ruth has had more work lives than an octopus has tentacles: her career has spanned roles that have included zoology, strategic consultancy, finance director for Barcardi’s Martini & Cognac portfolios, founding employee of a challenger bank, and working in Sierra Leone for the Ministry of Trade.
Lieven Debruyne
CEO, Octopus Capital
Lieven leads Octopus Capital and brings over two decades of global asset management experience. He spent 20 years at Schroders, holding senior roles in Hong Kong and London, including CEO of Asia Pacific and Global Head of Distribution.
He served on the Group Management Committee and helped grow Schroders’ institutional, retail and wealth businesses. Lieven was also a Board member of Greencoat Capital.
Before joining Octopus, he was a Senior Advisor at Boston Consulting Group, supporting private markets clients across strategy, distribution and innovation.
He served on the Group Management Committee and helped grow Schroders’ institutional, retail and wealth businesses. Lieven was also a Board member of Greencoat Capital.
Before joining Octopus, he was a Senior Advisor at Boston Consulting Group, supporting private markets clients across strategy, distribution and innovation.
Erin Platts
CEO, Octopus Ventures
Erin joined Octopus Ventures as CEO in January, 2025.
Previously, she held the role of CEO at HSBC Innovation Banking UK, formerly Silicon Valley Bank UK. Over two decades in leadership roles with the institution, she established Silicon Valley Bank UK as a standalone, regulated subsidiary before leading the organisation through the transition period following its sale to HSBC in 2023, scaling operations to over 800 people, across six countries and into the market leading position across the sector.
With a career spent in the US, UK and European tech ecosystems, Erin is an active and vocal spokesperson, championing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion through partnerships with organisations including Tech Nation, Founder’s Forum and the Newton Venture Program.
She’s been celebrated as a Top Woman in Fintech by Innovate Finance, and selected by Computer Weekly as one of the top 200 Most Influential Women in Tech. Erin has also held a seat on the boards of both UK Finance and ScaleUp Institute, and remains a UK Trustee at Founders Pledge and an advisory Board member for London Tech Week.
Previously, she held the role of CEO at HSBC Innovation Banking UK, formerly Silicon Valley Bank UK. Over two decades in leadership roles with the institution, she established Silicon Valley Bank UK as a standalone, regulated subsidiary before leading the organisation through the transition period following its sale to HSBC in 2023, scaling operations to over 800 people, across six countries and into the market leading position across the sector.
With a career spent in the US, UK and European tech ecosystems, Erin is an active and vocal spokesperson, championing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion through partnerships with organisations including Tech Nation, Founder’s Forum and the Newton Venture Program.
She’s been celebrated as a Top Woman in Fintech by Innovate Finance, and selected by Computer Weekly as one of the top 200 Most Influential Women in Tech. Erin has also held a seat on the boards of both UK Finance and ScaleUp Institute, and remains a UK Trustee at Founders Pledge and an advisory Board member for London Tech Week.
Jonathan Dees
Chief Operations Officer
Jonathan joined Octopus in 2019 and leads central operations across the business, with a focus on platform efficiency and growth enablement.
His previous roles include Chief Operating Officer of Zoopla’s software business and Managing Director at TripAdvisor’s holiday lettings division.
Jonathan brings deep experience in digital, operations and scaling businesses for long-term impact.
His previous roles include Chief Operating Officer of Zoopla’s software business and Managing Director at TripAdvisor’s holiday lettings division.
Jonathan brings deep experience in digital, operations and scaling businesses for long-term impact.