We are delighted to announce the appointment of Ann Fisher and Iain Keys as Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) effective immediately.
Ann Fisher has been part of the Cambridge and UK-wide tech ecosystem for almost 30 years. A visionary entrepreneur, she has successfully led two businesses to exit – one through a trade sale to a global services group and more recently an MBO. Ann is passionate about high-growth start-ups, she actively supports innovation ecosystems and collaborates with entrepreneurs and business leaders.
Ann’s expertise spans technology sector growth, investor relations, operational finance and community integration. She continues to connect early-stage companies, professional advisors and investors, reinforcing the UK’s innovation landscape.
As a Co-Founder of a boutique search firm in 1998, Ann played a pivotal role in executive search for early-stage technology companies. Recognised as a connector, networker and catalyst, Ann was awarded as one of the most Influential business people in the Cambridge technology cluster.
Beyond business, she has been instrumental in founding Cambridge Tech Week and Women4Technology and has played a key role in organising Silicon Valley comes to the UK events in Cambridge. Ann has recently been appointed to the campaign board of the Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital, supporting its mission as a leading national and global cancer research centre.
Iain Keys joined Knight Frank in January 2023 to launch their Cambridge office, spearheading the company’s growth into the city by bringing his knowledge of the science and technology markets. With a career of over 30 years’ in real estate, Iain has spent time in wealth management and as a regulated fund manager before returning to consultancy to advise on development and occupation of the specialist sectors so prevalent in Cambridge.
Iain spends time learning about occupiers, their business and future influences to understand how real estate has to be best placed to suit the ever changing requirements as technology influences research methods and new sectors emerge.
Ann and Iain join board members Victor Christou, Barnaby Perks, Chris Lang, Jennifer Brook and Nick Hood.
Speaking on the appointments, Victor Christou, Chair, commented “We are delighted to welcome Ann & Iain to the St John’s Innovation Centre board. Their unparalleled experience in the Cambridge tech ecosystem and real estate industries will bolster SJIC’s strategic direction and play a key role in helping SJIC continue to grow and drive innovation.”