Cambridge Enterprise, University of Cambridge

Mr Benthall is a partner at Charterhouse Capital Partners, a private equity firm based in London. He is also an active participant in the Cambridge business angel community, through his membership of the Cambridge Capital Group.

Mr Benthall, who read Modern and Medieval Languages at Magdalene College, is also Chairman of the 800th Anniversary Campaign Council, a group of key volunteers whose support for Collegiate Cambridge has helped the Campaign to raise over £940 million to date.

He has been a key supporter of the University of Cambridge Discovery Fund, one of three evergreen funds managed by the Cambridge Enterprise Seed Funds team. The Discovery Fund, which was launched in 2008 as part of the 800th Anniversary Campaign, provides vital pre-seed and seed funding for commercial ideas originating from University research.

Mr Benthall takes over from Lord Roger Freeman, who has served as Chair of Cambridge Enterprise since its incorporation in 2006. From 2004, he served as Chair of The Challenge Fund Trade Company (CFT), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the University. He first became involved with CFT through one of its first spin-out companies, Metalysis Ltd, which he
chaired from 2004 to 2009. He also served on the Cambridge Enterprise Advisory Board during the reorganisation and establishment of Cambridge Enterprise.

Lord Freeman was an MP between 1983 and 1997 and served as a Minister from 1986 in the Departments of Defence, Health and Transport. He served in the Cabinet as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for Public Service. He is Chairman of PricewaterhouseCooper's UK Advisory Panel, Chairman of Thales UK and Parity Group PLC.

“Roger’s leadership and guidance in our first years as a limited company has been invaluable,” said Teri Willey, Chief Executive of Cambridge Enterprise. “We are very sorry to see him leave, but look forward to working with our new Chair as Cambridge Enterprise continues to grow.”

Cambridge Enterprise recently published its Annual Review for 2008/09, marking two full financial years operating as a wholly owned affiliate of the University. During this time, 400 new knowledge and technology transfer transactions were completed, bringing the portfolio to over 700 active equity, consultancy and licence agreements under management.

Knowledge and technology transfer income over the two years exceeded £18 million, of which almost £14 million was distributed to University academics and departments, with the remainder reinvested in patent assets, seed fund pools and support for knowledge and technology transfer services to the University.

Cambridge Enterprise Limited, University of Cambridge

Cambridge Enterprise Limited is responsible for the commercialisation of University of Cambridge intellectual property and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the University. Activities include management and licensing of intellectual property and patents, proof of concept funding and support for University staff and research groups wishing to provide expert advice or facilities to public and private sector organisations. Cambridge Enterprise provides access to angel and early stage capital through the Cambridge Enterprise Seed Funds and Cambridge Enterprise Venture Partners, and offers business planning, mentoring and other related programmes.

The University leads the world in transformative research and Cambridge Enterprise is well placed to support the academics to find the best commercialisation route for their innovations either through licensing, company creation or consultancy. Income over the past two years exceeded £18 million, of which almost £14 million was distributed to University academics and departments, with the remainder reinvested in patent assets, seed fund pools and support for knowledge and technology transfer services to the University.

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Contact: Shirley Jamieson
Head of Marketing
Cambridge Enterprise Limited
Tel: 01223 760 339
shirley.jamieson@enterprise.cam.ac.uk