Person Cooksey; Sir; David James Scott (1940-2024); businessman; venture capitalist; policy advisor Cooksey David James Scott Sir businessman; venture capitalist; policy advisor 1940-2024 British Male Sutton, Surrey, England, United Kingdom 14 May 1940 19400514 England, United Kingdom 28 January 2024 20240128 Funeral: All Saints’ Church, Whiteparish, Hampshire, United Kingdom (24 February 2024)

Executive Materials Science Economics Engineering Science and state Policy sciences Medical technology Medical care Health care reform Education: Westminster School; St Edmund Hall, Oxford Career: Began as an industrial engineer, reaching a management position at Formica International, leading the management buy-out of a subsidiary (1971); formed Advent Venture Partners, providing financing for technology-based businesses and one of the first venture capital firms in the United Kingdom (1981-2006); first chairman of the British Venture Capital Association (1983/4); chairman of the Audit Commission (1986-1995); director of the Bank of England (1994-2005); Governor of the Wellcome Trust (1995–1999); chairman of the Local Government Commission for England (1996); Board of Directors at Diamond Light Source Ltd (2002-2008); chair the Biosciences Industry Growth Taskforce by HM Treasury (2003); chairman of the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (2005/6); chairman of London and Continental Railways (2006-2011); chairman of Bechtel Ltd (2008); chairman of the Francis Crick Institute (2009-2017); Pro Chancellor of the University of Southampton (2009–2013); chaired UK Financial Investments Limited (2009-2012); died from a heart attack. Honours: KB 1993; GBE 2007 Spouse: (m. May 1973) Janet Wardell-Yerburgh. Children: One daughter and one son. The translation of scientific discovery into economic and health benefit has been the driving force behind David Cooksey's working life. He recognised that this can only be achieved with a high quality science infrastructure populated by world-class scientists. Persuaded Government to introduce incentives for risk investments in early stage technology and life sciences companies. Following his appointment as a Governor of the Wellcome Trust, he persuaded his fellow governors to work alongside Government to offer University Challenge Seed Funds to provide on-campus proof-of-principle funding. This was followed by the Joint Infrastructure Fund (JIF), a major initiative to improve universities’ scientific research infrastructure. The largest JIF investment was in the Diamond Light Source synchrotron accelerator which Cooksey chaired from inception to full operation. Led the Cooksey Review of Medical Research Funding which challenged the accepted translation pathways, secured substantial additional medical research funding and led to the formation of the Francis Crick Institute. He chaired the Crick from initial concept to complete delivery. Honorary Fellow 14/04/2020 79 References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Cooksey#Awards_and_honours The Royal Society Fellows Directory, Sir David Cooksey GBE FMedSci FRS, [URL: https://royalsociety.org/people/david-cooksey-25434/: last accessed: 28/10/2025] The Francis Crick Institute, News & Features, In tribute to Sir David Cooksey, 1940-2024, 5 February 2024, [URL: https://www.crick.ac.uk/news/2024-02-05_in-tribute-to-sir-david-cooksey-1940-2024; last accessed: 28/10/2025] St. Edmund's Hall, Hall remembers Sir David Cooksey, 2 February 2024, [URL: https://www.seh.ox.ac.uk/news/teddy-hall-remembers-sir-david-cooksey; last accessed: 28/10/2025] The Times, Announcements, Births, marriages and deaths: February 12, 2024, [URL: https://www.thetimes.com/comment/register/article/bmds-feb12-b5swxnbml; last accessed: 28/20/2025] The Times, Obituary, Sir David Cooksey obituary: pioneering venture capitalist, 24 February 2024, [URL: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/sir-david-cooksey-obituary-b9j38sr9k?msockid=2825b913bbc7638b0090af0bba2562f3; last accessed: 28/10/2025] International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) 2nd edition - ICA 2004 ISBN 2-9521932-2-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 14 May 1940 - NA10354 13/05/2020 VirginiaM 12/03/2026 RS_NET\VirginiaM Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/12075146 f63f54ed-941b-4bad-a578-38b42c5dfd65