Erin Platts – A Visionary Leader Shaping the Future of Venture Capital and Innovation Banking
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, venture capital, and innovation banking, few names resonate with as much influence and credibility as Erin Platts. A dynamic leader with over two decades of experience across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, Erin Platts has become a central figure in transforming the way financial institutions support high-growth technology companies. As of January 2025, she serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Octopus Ventures, one of Europe’s leading venture capital firms.
Her journey from a young graduate at Babson College to the head of major financial and venture firms exemplifies perseverance, strategic intelligence, and an unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion in finance and technology.
Early Life and Education of Erin Platts
Academic Foundations at Babson College
Erin Platts’ journey into finance and entrepreneurship began at Babson College, Massachusetts — one of the most respected institutions globally for entrepreneurial studies. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship and Management (2000–2004). This academic grounding built the foundation for her future success in innovation-driven financial leadership.
Her early exposure to entrepreneurship equipped her with the mindset to understand and nurture the startup ecosystem — a quality that later defined her professional approach at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and beyond.
Career Beginnings at Silicon Valley Bank
Joining SVB and Building the Innovation Ecosystem
Erin Platts began her professional career at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) in 2004. Over her 19-year tenure, she played a crucial role in expanding the bank’s presence across Europe and the UK. Starting as Director of Accelerator & Growth, she managed debt portfolios for early- and growth-stage technology firms, including clients across the software, hardware, and life sciences sectors.
Her early leadership at SVB marked the beginning of her long-term mission: bridging financial services with innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology.
Climbing the Ranks: From Director to CEO
Head of Relationship Banking and Commercial Leadership
Between 2013 and 2022, Erin Platts held several high-impact leadership positions within SVB, including Managing Director, Commercial Banking, and later, Head of Relationship Banking, Europe. Her broad remit involved leading teams across venture and growth banking, healthcare financing, credit structuring, and relationship enablement.
She played a defining role in scaling SVB’s UK operations, ensuring the bank became synonymous with supporting venture-backed businesses. Under her leadership, SVB UK developed into one of the most influential financial institutions for startups and scale-ups across the continent.
Becoming CEO of SVB UK and EMEA
In 2019, Erin Platts reached a milestone in her career, being appointed CEO of Silicon Valley Bank UK and EMEA. As Chief Executive, she not only expanded SVB’s European footprint but also oversaw its transformation into a standalone, regulated subsidiary.
Her leadership through turbulent financial environments showcased her resilience and strategic foresight. She guided the organisation through significant regulatory milestones and laid the groundwork for the next phase of its growth — a phase that would soon involve one of the biggest transitions in UK banking history.
Transition to HSBC Innovation Banking
Navigating the SVB to HSBC Transition
In 2023, following the global banking crisis that impacted SVB’s parent company, Erin Platts led Silicon Valley Bank UK through its acquisition by HSBC, becoming CEO of HSBC Innovation Banking UK. This was a monumental period that tested her crisis management and leadership skills.
Under her direction, HSBC Innovation Banking UK successfully integrated SVB’s innovation banking model while maintaining the entrepreneurial spirit that defined it. Within 18 months, the bank expanded to over 800 employees across six countries, cementing its role as a market leader in innovation finance.
This period proved Erin Platts’ exceptional capability to manage transitions, safeguard client relationships, and maintain operational stability during industry-wide disruption.
Leadership at Octopus Ventures
Becoming CEO of Octopus Ventures
In January 2025, Erin Platts was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Octopus Ventures, a firm renowned for supporting early-stage and growth-stage technology startups across Europe. This marked her transition from innovation banking to venture capital, aligning with her long-standing commitment to nurturing technological ecosystems.
At Octopus Ventures, she now leads a diverse portfolio of investments, driving strategic growth and innovation in areas such as fintech, healthtech, climate technology, and deep tech. Her mission is clear — to empower visionary founders and position Octopus Ventures as a global benchmark in sustainable and inclusive venture funding.
Advocacy and Industry Impact
Championing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Beyond her executive roles, Erin Platts is celebrated for her advocacy in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). She collaborates with major organisations including Tech Nation, Founders Forum, and the Newton Venture Program to create pathways for underrepresented groups in finance and entrepreneurship.
Her work underscores the importance of inclusive leadership in shaping future economies. By fostering equitable access to funding, she has become a role model for women in financial services and technology.
Board Memberships and Advisory Roles
Erin Platts’ influence extends far beyond her corporate leadership. She has served in multiple prestigious positions, including:
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Board Member, UK Finance (2022–2023)
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Board Member, ScaleUp Institute (2022–2023)
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Trustee, Founders Pledge (2024–present)
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Advisory Board Member, London Tech Week
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Member, Capital Markets Industry Taskforce (CMIT)
These roles reflect her strategic engagement in shaping financial and technological policy frameworks that support innovation-led economic growth.
Awards and Recognition
Erin Platts’ achievements have earned her international recognition. She has been:
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Named one of Innovate Finance’s Top Women in Fintech
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Selected by Computer Weekly among the Top 200 Most Influential Women in Tech
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Featured in Management Today’s 35 Women Under 35 (2014)
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Honoured as one of Innotribe’s Power Women in Fintech (2015)
These accolades demonstrate her consistent excellence, leadership integrity, and impact across the global financial and tech communities.
Personal Life and Values
Erin Platts, born in December 1981, is 43 years old as of 2025. She holds dual British and American nationality. Known for her warmth and humility, she often shares insights from her personal life to inspire authenticity in leadership.
In a personal note shared on LinkedIn, she mentioned relocating to New York with her husband, Chris, and their golden retriever, during her move to lead SVB Private. This glimpse into her personal world reflects the balance she maintains between professional ambition and personal fulfilment.
Her leadership philosophy revolves around empathy, transparency, and empowerment — qualities that define her legacy in modern banking and venture investment.
The Legacy and Future of Erin Platts
As she leads Octopus Ventures into a new era, Erin Platts continues to champion innovation, ethical finance, and inclusive growth. Her journey from Silicon Valley Bank to HSBC Innovation Banking and now to Octopus Ventures mirrors the transformation of global finance — from traditional banking to technology-driven, purpose-led investment.
With her proven ability to lead through change, build high-performing teams, and shape the innovation ecosystem, Erin Platts stands as one of the most influential figures redefining the future of venture capital and fintech in the UK and beyond.
FAQs
1. Who is Erin Platts?
Erin Platts is the Chief Executive Officer of Octopus Ventures, one of Europe’s leading venture capital firms. She is known for her two-decade career in innovation banking and her leadership roles at Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and HSBC Innovation Banking UK.
2. How old is Erin Platts?
Erin Platts was born in December 1981, making her 43 years old as of 2025. She holds dual British and American nationality.
3. What is Erin Platts’s role at Octopus Ventures?
Since January 2025, Erin Platts has served as CEO of Octopus Ventures, where she leads investment strategy and supports early-stage and growth-stage technology companies across the UK and Europe.
4. What was Erin Platts’s role at HSBC Innovation Banking?
Before joining Octopus Ventures, Erin Platts was CEO of HSBC Innovation Banking UK. She successfully guided the transition of Silicon Valley Bank UK into HSBC’s structure following its 2023 acquisition, expanding operations to more than 800 staff across six countries.
5. What was Erin Platts’s connection to Silicon Valley Bank (SVB)?
Erin Platts spent over 19 years at Silicon Valley Bank, where she rose through multiple leadership roles, including CEO of SVB UK and EMEA. She helped establish SVB UK as a standalone regulated subsidiary and played a major role in shaping the innovation banking landscape in Europe.
6. Is Erin Platts married?
Yes, Erin Platts has mentioned her husband, Chris, in public posts. The couple relocated from the UK to New York when she took on a leadership role with SVB Private, and they share a golden retriever
Conclusion
The story of Erin Platts is more than a professional success narrative; it is a testament to leadership grounded in values, vision, and versatility. From her early days structuring debt for startups to leading multinational financial institutions, she has continuously advanced the intersection of finance and innovation.
As CEO of Octopus Ventures, Erin Platts exemplifies the next generation of global leadership — purpose-driven, people-centred, and passionately focused on empowering innovators to shape a better, more inclusive future.
