Dr Richard Leaver is the Chief Executive and co-founder of the PegasusBridge group of companies and, from 2008, also CEO of AIM company Blue Star Capital plc, both specialising in Homeland Security investments. PegasusBridge is the first Homeland Security Fund in Europe.
Richard’s initial career was with BAE Systems at Bristol from 1983 to 1994 where he managed a number of international projects, initially in radar and communications. During this time, he gained a PhD in Artificial Intelligence at Durham University through his work including a period at Carnegie Mellon University in the USA working with the progenitors of the Mars Rover. Between 1988 and 1991 he managed the BAE Systems components of a high profile £12 Million European collaborative mobile autonomous robotic programme.
In the early 1990’s he initiated & led BAE Systems international project including Rover Group for an advanced car telematics vehicle from conception to driveable reality. He developed the complete concept, design and delivery of an advanced telematics system, (radar, ultrasonics, visual, audio and tactile interfaces) within a standard Rover 200 saloon. The concept vehicle was exhibited at the International Motor Show in Brussels in January 1994 and the then new four bumper ultrasonic parking sensor design has since been adopted worldwide.
Richard moved to Cambridge in 1994 to work with the intenational technology consulting Generics Group (now Sagentia Group). During that time he headed the Group’s UK Sales and Marketing operation and was invited to join the Eastern Region Council of the CBI on which he served for a number of years. From 2001 with the investment arm of the Group, he worked as a fund manager, making investments from a number of funds in diverse areas from nanotechnology to biometrics and vision systems, before leaving to start PegasusBridge in 2006.
Richard is an experienced non-executive director, currently serving as a director on the boards of four companies in addition to those of PegasusBridge and Blue Star Capital plc. He is a Chartered Engineer and has a degree in Applied Physics & Electronics.