Life sciences investment firm Abingworth appoints new CFO

Neil Cooper takes over from James Abell as the firm's chief financial officer.

Neil Cooper, Abingworth
Neil Cooper, Abingworth

Abingworth has hired Neil Cooper as its new chief financial officer.

Cooper, who will be based in the $1.2 billion AUM firm’s London office, has almost 20 years’ experience in financial services. He joins from technology growth equity investment firm Kennet Partners where he had been finance director since 2012. Cooper previously held roles at Robert W Baird Group, Advent Venture Partners and KPMG.

Former CFO and Cooper’s predecessor, James Abell, retired after 21 years with the firm.

Tim Haines, Abingworth chairman and managing partner, said Abell had “been integral to the success of the company over that period,” and he had set “incredibly high standards that will continue to serve as strong foundations for the future.”

Cooper added that he was “excited to be joining a company with such a strong heritage and successful track record,” and commended the firm’s “dynamic environment” and “excellent” team.

Since 1973, Abingworth has raised $2.2 billion across 12 life science funds. The firm has invested in 157 companies, spanning therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, instrumentation and software, resulting in 67 IPOs and 54 M&A exits. Cooper joins a 26-strong team, split between offices in London, Boston and Menlo Park.