Our team.

The EDT founding partners, Hugo James and Martin Davis, bring a rare blend of frontline national security experience and deep venture capital expertise. Together, they lead with a mission-driven approach to back transformative dual-use technologies shaping the future of defence, security, and innovation in the UK and Europe.

  • Founding Partner

    • Grandson of a French immigrant to the UK, son of a British Army Officer and upbringing between Germany, Italy, Morocco and the UK.

    • Veteran of nearly 20 years of experience in National Security and Defence unique perspective as a former end user and investor.

    • 10 years of experience in the finance sector across corporate finance and venture capital, and an instrumental leadership role in shaping the dual-use ecosystem in Europe.

    • Former Managing Partner at the UK National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) – deploying over £340m into leading venture capital funds across the UK and Europe and investing in the most transformational companies supporting freedom and democracy.

    • Led initiatives to accelerate advanced technology adoption for national security and defence communities across UK, Europe and with international Allies in the US, Australia, Canada and SE Asia.

    • Experienced Board member and LPAC representative (including the NATO Innovation Fund LPAC).

    • Regular speaker (SuperVenture, European Defence Summit, Resilience Conference, MissionLink etc) and key thought leader within the European ecosystem.

  • Founding Partner

    • Martin has more than 25 years' experience in financial services and technology and is widely recognised for his strategic vision and leadership in the European venture capital ecosystem. Martin was most recently CEO of one of the most active venture capital firms in Europe, at Molten Ventures Plc (GROW). Whilst at Molten, Martin oversaw the investment portfolio expansion to over 60 companies and over 42 European Funds via their Fund of Funds programme.

    • Martin previously served as Head of Europe at Aegon Asset Management and CEO of investment management business, Kames Capital.

    • Before joining Kames, Martin was CEO at Cofunds, the largest adviser platform for financial intermediaries in the market, which he joined after eight years at Zurich Insurance Group, where he ran the International and Global Emerging Markets life businesses. He was also CEO of Zurich's joint venture, Openwork, a network of financial advice firms.

    • Prior to this, Martin held senior management roles at fintech business Misys, online banking business Corillian and data business Reuters. He was originally an officer in the Royal Irish Rangers, serving operationally in both conventional and specialist roles.

    • Martin will Chair the Investment Committee and play an active role in managing LP relations, reporting and operational risk matters.