The Enterprise Investment Scheme Association (EISA) has announced the appointment of Joanna Jensen as its new Chair.
Joanna Jensen is the founder of the British multi-award winning baby and child personal care brand, Childs Farm. Created in 2010 as a solution to her own daughter’s sensitive and eczema-prone skin, the brand was launched into mainstream retailers Boots and Waitrose in 2014 and became the number one brand in the baby and child segment in 2019.
In March 2022 Jensen sold Childs Farm for £36.8 million to PZ Cussons Plc. Whilst still involved in the business she is also now an investor in 11 brands.
The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) are responsible for £32 billion of investment into more than 56,000 UK start-ups. The EIS Association is the trade body for the EIS ecosystem, representing more than 400 entrepreneurs, advisers and investors.
Christiana Stewart-Lockhart, Director General of the EIS Association, said:
“We are thrilled to have Joanna Jensen join us as the new Chair. Her entrepreneurial success and firsthand experience with the SEIS and EIS as both an entrepreneur and investor make her an invaluable asset to the Association. Joanna’s passion for supporting founders and her dedication to promoting these schemes will undoubtedly enhance our efforts to drive innovation and investment across the UK.”
Joanna’s appointment comes at a pivotal time as the EIS celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, with a key focus on raising awareness about the benefits and opportunities provided by the EIS and SEIS.
Joanna said:
“I’ve experienced SEIS and EIS as a business founder and as an investor and believe that this investment mechanism is the most powerful instrument for SME growth and entrepreneurialism in the UK. I want to use my role as Chair to increase awareness of EIS within the SME communities, and to ensure that it remains a core part of Britain’s small business investment armoury.”
The EIS Association said it extended its ‘heartfelt gratitude’ to outgoing Chair Lord Flight, who stood down at the end of last year after 18 years.
