Investor Forum for Professional and Business Services

Legal, accountancy, and management consulting services are central to the United Kingdom’s economic strength. The PBS sector contributes around £300 billion each year to the UK economy (UK Gov), driving productivity, exports of services and products, and transformation across all other sectors.

As frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) transform the way these services are delivered, new opportunities for investment and collaboration are emerging whilst investor interest is rising. For instance, UK LegalTech firms raised some £117 million in in the first six months of 2025 alone, which is close to the total amount raised in 2024 (LawTech UK Investment Snapshot).

What to expect?

Hosted by the Next Generation Professional and Financial Services team, this event is set to offer participants the chance to:

• Discover emerging investment and innovation opportunities in legal, accountancy, and consulting services.
• Gain exclusive market insights through expert-led discussions and peer exchange.
• Explore co-investment models including public–private partnerships
• Connect with Innovate UK, the British Business Bank, and other funding partners
• Build valuable connections with investors, corporate ventures, and innovation stakeholders.

Who is this event for?

• Venture capital and growth funds
• General Partners and Limited Partners
• Private equity and corporate venture teams
• Institutional investors (e.g. pension funds, insurers)
• Family offices
• Emerging Fund Managers
• Public investment partners (e.g. British Business Bank)
• Ecosystem enablers and networks supporting PBS innovation

Investors active in or interested in professional and business services, as well as FinTech and technology investors, are also welcome as the close connections between these investment areas is recognised.

Agenda

9:30am to 10:00am : Arrival and registrations

10:00am to 10:10am : Welcome

• Astrid Ayel, Professional, Business and Financial Services Lead, Innovate UK Business Connect
• Ana Wolsztajn, Digital and Frontier Tech Investment Lead, Innovate UK Business Connect

10:10am to 10:50am : Panel Discussion – What is driving specialist investment in Professional and Business Services (PBS) and what is holding it back? 

Senior leaders including venture and corporate investors will explore the opportunities for attracting capital into PBS innovation and the barriers slowing progress.

• Chair: Department of Business and Trade
• Panellists:
  • Socheat Chay, Managing Director – Group Head of Corporate Venture Capital, Sopra Steria Ventures
  • Shruti Ajitsaria, Head of Fuse, A&O Shearman
  • Xavier Van Hove, Managing Partner, Nighthawk

10:50am to 11:30am : Panel Discussion – Mobilising Capital for UK Growth

This panel will explore how institutional investors can work together to unlock patient capital in support of UK growth. The discussion will examine how different sources of capital are currently being deployed, where gaps remain across the investment landscape, and how investment strategies can better align with national growth priorities and long-term economic objectives.

• Chair: Scott O’Brien, Chief Investment Officer, Innovate UK
• Panellists:
  • Ant Barker, Director Venture Capital, Aviva
  • Bethan Cousins, New Business Director – Investment Teams, Development Bank of Wales
  • David Foreman, CEO, PXN Group
  • Ian Connatty, Managing Partner, British Growth Partnership, British Business Bank

11:30am to 11:45am : Coffee Break

11:45am to 12:25pm : Panel Discussion – How Can We Recycle Capital? Building Liquidity in UK Markets

This session will explore how the UK can better support capital recycling through stronger exit pathways, improved market infrastructure, and greater liquidity. Speakers will discuss the role of secondary markets, public listings, and structural reforms in enhancing long-term investor confidence.

• Chair: Sebastien Paillet, CEO, ScaleX Invest
• Panellists:
  • Mark James, Consultant for Investor Relations, LSEG Private Securities Market
  • Alan Vaksman, Founding Partner, Launchbay
  • William Dovell, Director, Salica Investments
  • Romain Stokes, Partner, Quadrille Capital

12:25pm to 1:30pm : Networking Lunch

1:30pm to 2:00pm : Innovate UK Investor Programme – Unlocking Co-Investment Potential

2:00pm to 3:45pm : Investor Matchmaking – Connecting capital with opportunities

3:45pm to 4:00pm : Closing Remarks, Networking and Close of Event

Express your interest to attend

Places will be confirmed based on sector relevance and balance of participants to ensure valuable discussion and networking opportunities for all.