Sir Keir Starmer’s former artificial intelligence adviser is stepping into a part-time role at the start-up accelerator he co-founded and which has helped spawn some of Britain’s leading technology businesses.
MEZIESBLOG understands that Matt Clifford, who along with co-founder Alice Bentinck created Entrepreneur First in 2011, notified investors on Tuesday that he would become its non-executive chairman from April 1.
It comes soon after EF itself was valued at about £1bn after winning new backing from investors.
Mr Clifford spent six months last year helping to shape Downing Street’s approach to AI, authoring its AI Opportunities Action Plan.
He is also chair of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA), which is responsible for identifying ‘moonshot’ ideas and bringing them to fruition.
In a note to investors seen by Sky News, Mr Clifford said he would spend a day a week at EF, “which will allow me to dedicate more time to public service and UK technological sovereignty in the years ahead”.
“EF remains, of course, extremely important to me, both economically and emotionally.
He said he would continue to chair the company’s board and the FCA-regulated fund manager of EF’s various funds.
EF has become a lynchpin of Britain’s start-up ecosystem, backing hundreds of companies, including the fintech unicorn Cleo, PolyAI and Accurx.
Ms Bentinck will continue in the role of chief executive of the firm following Mr Clifford’s transition to non-executive chairman.
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