Scott O’Brien

Director, Innovation Finance

Scott is Director, Innovation Finance at Innovate UK. He joined Innovate UK in 2017, initially on secondment from British Business Bank. Scott previously led Innovate UK’s credit function, and is a director of Innovate UK Loans Limited, chairing its Credit Committee.

Scott’s role includes responsibility for the Innovation Loans programme, targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises with later stage innovation projects and a clear route to commercial success. He also oversees Investor Partnerships, which provides grant funding alongside aligned equity investment from private providers to catalyse business growth through innovation.

Prior to joining Innovate UK, Scott worked in British Business Bank’s debt solutions team, co-designing guarantee programmes with the European Investment Fund, making investments in funds and contributing to the delivery of the Enterprise Finance Guarantee.

While at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, Scott led the creation of Start-Up Loans, a micro-finance programme that is now an established part of the funding landscape. Celebrating 10 years of delivering loans and mentoring to more than 75,000 budding entrepreneurs in 2022.

Before joining the public sector, Scott worked in corporate and commercial banking in relationship and credit sanctioning roles.

Last updated: 23 September 2022

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