Our Past Speakers

	John Viney, RIP Founder of The Zygos Partnership

John Viney, RIP
Founder of The Zygos Partnership – Active investment

John began his business career at Philips, having taken two degrees in the diverse subjects of physics and music, followed by a PhD in Astro Physics from Kings College, Cambridge.  He then joined the executive search industry, rising to become International Chairman of Heidrick & Struggles, finding senior board directors for a wide variety of large listed companies based in numerous locations across the world.

After overseeing the floatation of H&S on Nasdaq, John showed his entrepreneurial colours by founding his own search company, the Zygos Partnership, as well as 3 property companies and setting up a private investment company, investing £4m of his own money in 10 business service or technology companies.  He is still positive about hoping to create £20m of value from this business set up in 2001.

Clearly founding these businesses did not occupy him sufficiently, as John has also authored 5 books and found the time to serve as a Trustee of The London Philharmonic Orchestra and a Member of the Development Committee at Kings College, Cambridge!

John is a very active, hands on investor who is closely involved or chairs companies which he invested in.  In his presentation, he shared his journey with us and his views on how a focused entrepreneurial community can outperform normal businesses in the coming few years.

Additional Note:

We are sad to note that John passed away tragically from cancer in November 2009.  He was a truly inspirational entrepreneur and is missed by those of us who were fortunate enough to have met him.