Andrew Dixon

Founder

ARC InterCapital

London, UK

Biography

Andrew Dixon is an angel investor, founder of ARC InterCapital and founding trustee of The Woodhaven Trust.

Starting his career in finance at Société Générale and Goldman Sachs, Andrew has spent over two decades investing in small and medium-sized businesses. Through ARC InterCapital, he has invested £20 million in over 40 British companies and his current portfolio employs more than 1,500 people.

Many investments in his portfolio have become well-recognised brands. ARC was the first seed investor in Gamesys, which went on to become one of the most successful businesses in the online gaming space and, in 2006, was the UK's fastest-growing private technology company in The Sunday Times Tech Track 100.

Others portfolio companies include Infinitesima, the Abingdon-based high-tech firm that developed the Rapid Probe Microscope for the semiconductor industry; call answering service Cymphony and LIVE IT, the global online ticketing platform for live events.

In 2008, he founded The Woodhaven Trust to support initiatives that provide offenders and ex-offenders with pathways into employment and self-employment. The Trust also supports causes that champion progressive tax reform and teach leadership skills to young people.

Inspired by San Quentin prison's Last Mile project, in 2016, Andrew co-founded social enterprise Code4000, which teaches coding skills in prisons to increase offenders’ prospects of meaningful employment upon release. And in 2013, he co-founded Prosper 4 Group, which runs the UK’s only national jobs board for ex-offenders.

An Enterprise Fellow at The Prince's Trust, he also launched the Liberal Democrat Business & Entrepreneurs Network. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Surrey, and enjoys cricket, golf and the occasional glass of wine.

Andrew Dixon’s Newsfeed

Fairer Share

Andrew Dixon: An interview with the founder of Fairer Share

In an interview with Fairer Share, Andrew Dixon discusses his motivations for setting up Fairer Share, its proposals, and how to get involved. He said " The big story of the last few years has been growing levels of social discontent. Many people feel they have been left behind by economic growth, are struggling to keep up with the higher costs of living, and are frustrated with politics."

Thrive London

Andrew Dixon – Entrepreneurs Will Be An Important Part Of The Recovery

Founder of ARC InterCapital, Andrew Dixon said " I love working with entrepreneurs who look at problem sets differently. A fresh set of eyes can mean a different approach and an unorthodox solution to the problem. I also often find that a business manager who has an extensive background in a particular industry finds it difficult to question established ways of operating. Academic qualifications are often not particularly helpful – and in some cases may actually limit success."

View allHide

Andrew Dixon’s Background

ARC InterCapital

Founder

Mar 2001 - Present

London, UK

An investor in early-stage businesses, ARC InterCapital has a diversified portfolio and has invested in 40 British businesses from a wide range of sectors since 2001, including software, semiconductor, health, education, utilities, leisure, publishing, software and entertainment. ARC InterCapital was founded by angel investor, Andrew Dixon, who is also the owner.

Infinitesima

Chairman

Feb 2013 - Present

Oxford, UK

Based in Abingdon, Infinitesima is a high-tech firm that developed the Rapid Probe Microscope for the semiconductor industry. Widely used in semiconductor process control and industrial inspection, RPM allows businesses to take high-speed 3D images in an open atmosphere rather than a vacuum chamber.

Code 4000

Founder

2013 - Present

London, UK

Taking its inspiration from San Quentin prison's The Last Mile project in America, Code4000 teaches offenders how programme and code through in-prison courses, training, and workshops. Code4000 goes on to help find graduates of their programming courses find meaningful employment at technology companies and start-ups, breaking the cycle of offending.

Prosper 4 Group

Co-Founder

2014 - Present

London, UK

Prosper 4 Group is a recruitment, training and job brokering agency, which runs the UK's only job board for ex-offenders. The business aims to break the cycle of crime by providing offenders and ex-offenders with sustainable and effective pathways into training, employment and self-employment.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

Vice President, Precious Metals Division

Apr 1998 - Mar 2000

Sydney, AU

Goldman Sachs is an American multinational finance company that engages in global investment banking, investment management, securities and other financial services.

Société Générale

Sales Manager

Aug 1994 - Mar 1998

Tokyo, JP

Société Générale is an international investment bank and financial services corporation that is headquartered in Paris. Their services include retail, private, investment and corporate banking as well as insurance and investment management.

IDEAglobal

Corporate Relations

1993 - 1994

London, UK

IDEAglobal is an independent, global research organization, with its headquarters in Singapore, and subsidiaries in New York and London. IDEAglobal is a leading supplier of independent and impartial advice to 50 central banks in the formation of policy and is read by financial professionals in over 500 dealing rooms worldwide.

Arai High School

Teacher

1991 - 1993

Shizuoka, JP

Arai High School is located in the Shizuoka Prefecture in the coastal town of Arai in the south of Japan. Andrew started his career as an English teacher at the secondard school as part of the Japanese Government’s JET Programme.

View allHide

Public Service

Fairer Share

Founder

2020 - Present

London, UK

Fairer Share is a national initiative campaigning for the abolition of Council Tax and Stamp Duty and the introduction of a Proportional Property Tax.

Woodhaven Trust

Founder

2008 - Present

London, UK

The Woodhaven Trust is a family trust that supports causes that provide offenders and ex-offenders with sustainable pathways into employment, self-employment, training and education. It also supports initiatives that champion progressive tax reform and provide young people with the opportunity to grow, build and develop their leadership skills.

The Prince's Trust

Enterprise Fellow

Feb 2010 - Present

London, UK

The Prince's Trust Enterprise Fellowship is a network of the UK's leading entrepreneurs who are committed to supporting and inspiring the next generation of leaders. As well as providing financial support to The Prince's Trust, Enterprise Fellows mentor, guide and coach young entrepreneurs. The Enterprise Fellowship has raised over £24 million for The Prince's Trust since in launched in 2010.

Liberal Democrat Business & Entrepreneurs Network

Founder

Nov 2014 - Present

London, UK

Bringing together businesspeople and entrepreneurs, the Liberal Democrat Business & Entrepreneurs Network provides the Party with expert advice on business and economic policy, ensures it gives the business community a voice in politics, and makes the Party's case to business. The Network hosts events, publishes research and organises private political briefings for its members.

The Entrepreneurs Network

Advisor

2018 - Present

London, UK

The Entrepreneurs Network is a think-tank that produces research into the best policies to support entrepreneurship. The Network campaigns for policy changes that will help entrepreneurship flourish and runs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Entrepreneurship, providing a bridge between the British startup community and politicians in Westminster.

View allHide

Andrew Dixon’s Education

London Business School

Master of Business Administration

2008 - 2009

Aberystwyth University

Bachelor of Science in Economics, International Politics

1988 - 1991