Biography

Ian Lobley is a Partner in 3i's Venture Portfolio team which is responsible for managing c$1.5bn of investments in the Technology and Healthcare sectors around the world. He has been with 3i since 1987, investing in businesses seeking to exploit technology and market advantage to achieve exponential growth. Whilst active across Europe and USA, Ian is currently based in London, UK, and has also been based in Paris, France.

Ian specialises in information technology and semiconductor investments. Key deals he has been involved in include Bookham, a leading supplier of optical components; Sophos, a world leader in protecting businesses against viruses and malware; Searchspace, a leading provider of financial risk management software; Magic4 and Paragon Software, both mobile device software companies separately acquired by Openwave; Merlin Communications, a spinout of the BBC World Service transmission business, Dibcom world leader in mobile TV chipsets and Nujira providing dramatic improvements to the efficiency of cellular and broadcast systems.

Currently Ian is a director of a number of exciting companies including The Cloud, Europe's leading WiFi network; Ipanema, provider of world leading network application management software; Psytechnics, assuring the quality of Voice and Video over IP; Intense, bringing leading-edge laser solutions to the printing and defence industries; Netronome, provider of high performance Network Flow Processors and application acceleration solutions; CamSemi fabless semiconductor leader in efficient power conversion; Metalysis bringing cleaner technologies to speciality metal production; and Omprompt, leading a revolution in supply chain connectivity.

Ian has served on various advisory boards including the European Objective One Programme and the European Technology Forum. Ian has a degree in Chemical Engineering.