Tom Adeyoola: Innovate UK’s Visionary Executive Chair Driving Innovation and Diversity
In the world of technology, entrepreneurship, and forward-thinking leadership, Tom Adeyoola stands out as a truly transformative figure. With more than 25 years of experience in disruptive technologies, new media, business strategy, and progressive societal initiatives, he has carved a reputation as a leader who combines innovation with impact. Currently serving as the Executive Chair of Innovate UK, Adeyoola has taken the reins of the UK’s leading innovation agency with a mission to drive growth, sustainability, and inclusivity across industries.
This article explores his career journey, achievements, and personal life. From founding Metail to mentoring diverse entrepreneurs, and from his academic foundation at Cambridge to high-profile roles with Channel 4 and angel investment networks, the story of Tom Adeyoola exemplifies resilience, creativity, and leadership with purpose.
Tom Adeyoola Innovate UK Leadership
Innovate UK: A National Force for Innovation
Innovate UK is the government’s innovation agency, dedicated to funding and supporting transformative businesses. With a budget of over a billion pounds, it plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the UK remains at the forefront of global innovation. In April 2025, Tom Adeyoola was appointed as Executive Chair, marking a new chapter for the organisation.
Vision for Innovate UK
As its leader, Adeyoola’s vision is grounded in three key priorities:
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Driving sustainable innovation: supporting solutions that tackle pressing climate challenges.
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Promoting inclusivity: ensuring access to funding and opportunities for entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds.
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Scaling businesses: turning ideas into commercially viable ventures that can compete on the world stage.
Leadership Style
Adeyoola’s leadership style reflects his entrepreneurial past. He brings a hands-on approach, drawing from real-world experience in scaling start-ups, navigating acquisition processes, and mentoring founders. His emphasis on culture, strategy, and execution ensures that Innovate UK is not only a funding body but also a guiding partner for ambitious businesses.
Tom Adeyoola at Channel 4
In January 2024, Tom Adeyoola joined the board of Channel 4 as a Non-Executive Director. Channel 4, one of the UK’s most influential broadcasters, is known for championing diverse voices and delivering content that challenges the status quo. Adeyoola sits on the main board, Audit & Risk, and Nominations Committees, where his strategic insights and business acumen help shape the broadcaster’s future direction.
His involvement reflects his broader commitment to representation and inclusivity, echoing his work with Extend Ventures and other social innovation projects.
Building Capital Angel Network
In 2022, Adeyoola co-founded the Capital Angel Network, a collective of investors from alumni networks of leading schools. The goal of this initiative is to foster a virtuous cycle of funding between alumni, schools, and businesses. By connecting capital with opportunity, Capital Angel Network provides early-stage entrepreneurs with both financial backing and strategic support.
This project underscores Adeyoola’s dedication to creating structures that encourage entrepreneurship while also expanding access for underrepresented groups.
Investor and Advisor Roles
Ruka Hair
Since December 2020, Tom Adeyoola has been an investor and advisor at Ruka Hair, a pioneering company that designs premium hair extensions tailored to the diversity of Black women’s hair textures. His involvement demonstrates his recognition of cultural and market gaps, supporting businesses that bring authenticity and innovation to underserved industries.
Groove
Adeyoola was also an investor and advisor at Groove, an on-demand digital co-working space for freelancers and remote professionals. Though Groove closed in mid-2025, his support reflected his commitment to flexible working models and the changing dynamics of professional life.
Extend Ventures and Social Impact
In January 2020, Tom Adeyoola co-founded Extend Ventures, a Black-led non-profit with the mission of diversifying access to funding. Extend Ventures gained prominence through its research on “Diversity Beyond Gender”, which examined the structural barriers faced by ethnically diverse founders.
The organisation has expanded its influence internationally, working with partners such as Atomico in Europe and Nasdaq in the United States. Adeyoola’s work here is a continuation of his long-standing commitment to ensuring that innovation is inclusive, not exclusive.
The Metail Journey
Perhaps the most famous chapter of Adeyoola’s career was his founding of Metail in 2008. The company was one of the earliest fashion-tech innovators, developing virtual fitting room technology that combined AI, computer vision, and physics modelling.
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Funding and Growth: Metail raised over $32 million, employed a team of PhDs and specialists, and produced more than 2.7 million consumer body models.
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Global Reach: The company worked with global brands such as Puma and Lidl.
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Acquisition: In July 2019, Metail was acquired by TAL Group, one of the world’s largest garment manufacturers.
The experience of building, scaling, and eventually exiting Metail provided Adeyoola with valuable insights that now guide his leadership at Innovate UK.
Education and Early Career
Academic Background
Tom Adeyoola studied Economics at the University of Cambridge, graduating with an MA Hons degree in 1998. During his time at Cambridge, he was actively involved in sports, drama, and leadership roles, laying the foundation for his future career.
Early Roles
His career began with roles in consulting and business analysis at ZS Associates, followed by positions in pioneering internet and mobile ventures such as Sportal and Three UK. He later worked in aviation (Marquis Jet Europe), film distribution, and gaming (Inspired Gaming Group), gaining exposure across industries.
This varied background honed his skills in product development, strategy, and scaling—skills that he would later apply to entrepreneurship and innovation leadership.
Licences and Certifications
Adeyoola’s professional journey has also included speaking engagements and leadership recognition. Notably, he served as a speaker at City and Islington Sixth Form College in London in 2016, inspiring young students with insights into entrepreneurship and innovation.
Though not a formal certification in the traditional sense, such contributions highlight his role as both a thought leader and mentor.
Personal Life: Age and Family
Born in June 1977, Tom Adeyoola is currently 48 years old. Beyond his professional achievements, he is also a dedicated family man. He is married and has two daughters, often crediting his family for grounding him and even inspiring some of his entrepreneurial ideas.
One notable example is the inspiration for Metail, which came from his wife’s frustrations with clothing fit and tailoring experiences abroad.
Philosophy and Legacy
Diversity and Inclusion
At the heart of Adeyoola’s career is a strong belief in diversity, equity, and access. His work with Extend Ventures and his mentoring of numerous start-ups underscore his mission to create pathways for all entrepreneurs, regardless of background.
Climate and Society
Through his roles with Verco, Do Nation, and other environmental initiatives, Adeyoola has consistently focused on the intersection of business and sustainability. He views innovation not just as a commercial pursuit but as a societal responsibility.
Conclusion
Tom Adeyoola is more than just an entrepreneur or executive; he is a leader with a vision for a progressive, inclusive, and innovative society. From founding Metail to steering Innovate UK, his journey reflects adaptability, ambition, and a relentless drive to make technology serve humanity. His roles with Channel 4, Capital Angel Network, Ruka Hair, and Extend Ventures illustrate his wide-ranging influence, while his personal story adds depth to his professional success.
As he leads Innovate UK into the future, Adeyoola stands as a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators across the globe. His story is a testament to the power of combining creativity, strategy, and social purpose.
