Record-breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont takes up top role at Fife investment firm

Mark Beaumont, the record-breaking cyclist and author, is taking a top role at a Fife investment firm.

Left to right are Andrew McNeill and Mark Beaumont of Eos Advisory. Picture: Stewart Attwood

Beaumont, an economics and politics graduate from the University of Glasgow, is joining the leadership team of Eos Advisory, which is based in the seaside golfing town of St Andrews.

The firm said the strengthening of its senior executive team was the first in a series of forthcoming announcements which would support its growth strategy.

Beaumont’s remit will include helping to secure new co-investors, based in the UK and internationally, adding to the investment leverage which the firm has been able to bring to its portfolio to date.

Eos also remains a Scottish Investment Bank (SIB) co-investment partner, having completed a number of investment rounds alongside SIB this year.

Beaumont is best known for his record-breaking cycles around the globe, his broadcasting and as an author. He is patron for the Saltire Foundation, a part of Entrepreneurial Scotland, as well as the Centre for Entrepreneurship at Dundee University, where he was formerly the rector, as well as being a corporate ambassador for private equity house LDC.

In 2017, he was awarded the British Empire Medal for his contributions to sport and charity.

Beaumont said: “Eos has established itself as one the most exciting early stage investors in Scotland.

“The areas that Eos targets are hugely important, addressing key global issues, so I am motivated not just by finding and growing businesses, but also around the impact they will have and how Scotland continues to play an important role through innovative science and technology.

“I am much better known for building record-breaking teams and creating world firsts in the adventure world, but the processes and entrepreneurial skills are remarkably similar.

“I have spent my entire career building belief and process around projects that many people think are impossible, and that is what is often needed to create businesses that disrupt and often create new markets.

“As we start to engage with investors across the UK, Europe, North America and Asia, I can see that Eos is building a really powerful narrative which I can help shape. Collectively, our aim is for Eos Advisory to be a significant catalyst for Scottish early stage businesses and global impact.”

Founded in 2014, Eos has a portfolio of 12 investee companies including Cumulus Oncology, ILC Therapeutics, 3FBio and Xelect, investing in several key impact areas – disease prevention and treatment, energy security, climate change and pollution, food and water security, and sustainability of industrial processes and infrastructure.

Managing partner Andrew McNeill said: “Eos has a strong track record with our syndicate investments, which will continue to be an important pillar for our work.

“As we scale our investments through the EIS Innovation Fund and our new co-investment vehicles, we will greatly benefit from the network and experience that Mark brings.

“On the back of his investment as an equity partner in Eos in 2019, we are delighted that he has accepted our offer to now take this executive leadership role.”

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