From global adventures to venture capital, Olly brings a dynamic blend of experience and energy to his new role as Financial Controller at Anthemis. We sat down with him to chat about his journey so far, first impressions, and what excites him most about the road ahead.

Hi Oliver! Let’s start at the beginning, tell us a bit about yourself and your background.

Sure! I’m Oliver, and I recently joined Anthemis as Financial Controller. Just before starting here, I spent nine months travelling around the world which was incredible. Prior to that, I studied finance and accounting at university and qualified as an accountant at a global marketing group.

After that, I moved into the venture space with Molten Ventures, which had a strong tech focus but was a much larger, listed company. I also had a stint at a tech startup called Blink, working on a comms SaaS product. It was a classic startup environment, super fast-paced, everyone jumping in to solve problems together which I loved.

What made you want to join Anthemis specifically?

Having already worked in VC, I knew I liked the sector, but what really attracted me to Anthemis was the scope. When I spoke to Mei and Carol, I got the sense that “the sky’s the limit” in terms of what I could get involved in. That entrepreneurial, dynamic culture really appealed to me, as well as the feeling that everyone is genuinely working towards a shared goal. In smaller, mission-led organisations, the success of the company feels much more personal and collaborative, and that’s exactly the kind of environment I wanted to be part of.

And how’s it going so far? First impressions?

Honestly? Brilliant. From day one, everyone’s been warm, welcoming, and open. There’s a strong culture of collaboration here. I’ve already worked with the legal team, PRM, and others; it’s very fluid and cross-functional. People genuinely want to hear your ideas, regardless of your role or seniority, which is rare and really refreshing.

What does a Financial Controller in VC actually do, anything people might not expect?

People probably think it’s all numbers and spreadsheets (which… it often is!), but there’s also plenty of fun stuff. For example, I’ve always ended up helping plan Christmas parties and social events, finance gets surprisingly involved! I also think there’s a broader strategic side to VC finance that people might not realise: working closely with other teams, shaping forecasts, supporting fund launches. It’s a very varied role.

What are you focusing on in your first few months?

Right now, I’m deep in handover mode and making sure I understand the ins and outs of how things have been run to date. I’m also starting to get more exposure to the fund side, learning about the structure of the funds, working with administrators, and building a full picture of how Anthemis operates. So it’s a mix of operational onboarding and strategic learning.

What are you most looking forward to in the next 6–12 months?

I’m really excited to see some of the new funds in development actually go to market, getting exposure to that process, from forecasting to structuring to execution is fascinating.

Any big trends you’re watching right now in finance?

It’s hard to ignore the impact of AI. Even in accounting, it’s changing how we work, particularly in automating manual tasks like reconciliations.

Outside of finance, I’m really interested in how climate tech is evolving, especially models like carbon credits and tools for sustainable agriculture. When I was travelling, I saw first-hand how tech is helping small farmers access new markets or use drones to optimise their crops. That intersection of innovation and impact really excites me, and is a big part of why I was drawn to Anthemis.

What do you enjoy most about working in finance?

Solving problems with smart people. Whether it’s tackling a tricky forecast or working through a challenge with someone from another team, I love the mix of analytical thinking and collaboration. It’s rewarding and energising.

Any advice for someone trying to get into VC finance from a non-traditional background?

It’s tough, but not impossible. My advice is: do your research, be curious, and don’t be afraid to reach out to people. Even within finance, many professionals don’t know what goes on behind the scenes in VC firms, so the more you can learn and connect with others, the better.

And honestly, Anthemis is a great example of what’s possible, so many people here don’t come from traditional VC or finance backgrounds, and that diversity makes it a better place to work.

Outside of spreadsheets, what do you do for fun?

I love hiking and travelling, I did a lot of both during my sabbatical. New Zealand was a highlight. I’m also into running (London has some great run clubs), and I play a bit of tennis.