A listed investment company founded by stock market commentator Zak Mir has appointed two highly-experienced directors and announced its intention to invest in AI.
London-based Lift Global Ventures, which is focused on financial media, technology and related sectors, has onboarded David Richards MBE as its non-executive chairman and Mark Horrocks as a non-executive director.
Yorkshire AI Labs founder and managing partner Richards brings 30 years of experience as a technology entrepreneur, including nearly 25 years as a technology executive in the software industry in Silicon Valley.
He previously co-founded and served as CEO of WANdisco Plc (now Cirata Plc) from 2005-2023 and co-founded and chaired IntelliamAI Plc, a listed company that specialises in AI and machine learning, servicing half of the world’s top 12 food and beverage companies.
Richards also co-founded the Laptops for Kids campaign, serves as a trustee of the David and Jane Richards Family Foundation and serves on the Economic Growth & Investment Group at the Cabinet Office Social Mobility Commission.
He received an MBE in 2022 for services to the information technology sector and youth, particularly during COVID-19 and will replace the outgoing Roy Kelly, who is leaving to focus on his other business ventures.
New non-executive director Horrocks has been working within the funds industry for 40 years.
His career started as a financial sector analyst with financial institution Guardian Royal Exchange, which was in the FTSE 100, and he then went on to manage the equity element of the life and pension funds, which was valued in excess of £2.5bn.
He is currently invested in a series of private investments in the technology, land and leisure sectors and is still a director of Intrinsic Capital London – an independent wealth management company.
“Our strategic shift towards artificial intelligence is driven by our conviction in AI’s transformative potential,” said Mir, CEO of Lift.
“David Richards’ extensive track record, notably with Yorkshire AI Labs, alongside Mark Horrocks’ deep expertise in fund management and smaller company investing, will significantly bolster our capacity to identify, accelerate, and support investments in groundbreaking AI solutions that address real-world challenges and deliver substantial commercial impact.
“I would like to thank Roy Kelly for his valuable contribution to the company.”
Richards added: “I am delighted to join Lift at this exciting time. We have a unique opportunity to back innovative, early-stage companies, leveraging AI to build scalable, transformative solutions.
“AI is more than just a technological trend; it represents a fundamental shift that will shape future market leaders and redefine industry landscapes globally.
“I look forward to contributing to Lift’s strategic vision and growth in this dynamic space.”
Additionally, as part of its investment strategy, the company will actively pursue opportunities within the rapidly expanding AI sector.
The board has described this as a ‘generational opportunity’ and that investment in it represents a logical evolution of Lift’s current investment policy.
The business is currently engaged in advanced discussions with potential investee businesses and anticipates announcing its first AI-sector investment shortly.