Robert Hook PhD, MIEEE - Managing Director, Esprit Capital Partners LLP (Board Member)

Bob is an electronic and communications engineer by training, and was a director of Cambridge Consultants Limited for ten years prior to founding Prelude in 1984. He build Prelude up into the UK's leading early-stage technology venture capital investment company, raising three funds, and led its merger with Cazenove Private Equity in 2006 to form Esprit, of which he is Chairman. With a portfolio mainly in the physical sciences, sector, Bob has played an instrumental role in the formation of a number of companies and serves as a director of Cambridge Positioning Systems, ZBD displays, m-spatial, and Polatis. His past investments include Fillfactory and Xaar.

Bob was a founding member of the European Venture capital Association's High Tech Committee, and also a past member of the British venture Capital Association High Tech Committee.