Ross Sullivan
Summary
Accomplished professional with expertise in product development, product governance and product commercial strategy. Adept at promoting strong partnerships among diverse teams to drive positive commercial and customers outcomes. Demonstrates a strong ability to simplify complex concepts and deliver clear, effective customer communication. Proven track record in process improvement, driving efficiency and innovation across projects.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
2
2
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Business Line Manager - VCT
Octopus Investments
2025.04 - Current
- Manage strategic direction of Octopus' VCT product suite comprising five VCTs, including the largest VCT in market and largest combined AUM.
- Responsible for fundraising strategy, product development, product governance and ensuring products deliver a high quality experience for investors and their advisers.
- Responsible for implementation and ongoing oversight of Consumer Duty principles across business line
- Attendee of Octopus Retail Management Committee inputting into business-wide activity
- Developed Octopus' D2C VCT distribution strategy
- Developed non-tax venture propositions
VCT Product Manager
Octopus Investments
2021.11 - 2025.04
- Day to day product management responsibility for 3 Octopus VCTs
- Octopus representative on VCT boards
- Project manage the end to end process for annual VCT fundraising, dealing with legal/regulatory fund documentation
- Responsible for product governance and reporting to management committee
- Design thematic investor/ adviser product messaging
- Monitor market trends and competitor performance to set distribution strategies
Inheritance Tax Product Manager
Octopus Investments
2018.12 - 2021.11
- Product manager for the UK's largest inheritance tax DFM product.
- Facilitated sales and marketing training on technical products and tax regulations.
- Participated in adviser meetings, providing product expertise.
- Supported teams in understanding product features and compliance aspects.
MiFID II Project Manager & Product Governance Lead
Octopus Investments
2016.08 - 2018.12
- Implemented Octopus' MIFID II product governance framework
Sales and Customer Officer
Octopus Investments
2015.07 - 2016.08
- Implemented sales and onboarding processes
- Forecasting regional sales targets for sales leadership
Client Services Manager
JP Morgan Asset Management
2013.08 - 2015.07
- Led investor relations team of 8 professionals to effectively engage diverse client types for JPMAM OEIC SICAV and JF fund range.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Management
Bournemouth University
2009.09 - /2013
A-Levels -
Godalming College
2006.06 - 2008.09
Skills
- Product development and governance
- Commercial strategy
- Cross-department collaboration
- Complexity simplification
- Customer communication expertise
- Process Improvement
Accomplishments
- Ran the implementation for Octopus Group's B Corp accreditation achieved in 2020.
- Managed the launch of the first sustainability themed VCT in the market. Achieving the fastest VCT to reach £40m AUM in c6 weeks
- Product owner for the 2 largest VCTs in the market. Lead the largest fundraise in VCT history (Titan VCT £250m)
- Owned MiFID II Product Governance roll out across all Octopus Investments retail products
Outside of work
Happy doing anything outdoors – Cycling, Golf, Triathlon, although I recently became a father so these are taking an extended hiatus. Organise the Octopus Running Club, hosting multiple events a year.
Timeline
Business Line Manager - VCT
Octopus Investments
2025.04 - Current
VCT Product Manager
Octopus Investments
2021.11 - 2025.04
Inheritance Tax Product Manager
Octopus Investments
2018.12 - 2021.11
MiFID II Project Manager & Product Governance Lead
Octopus Investments
2016.08 - 2018.12
Sales and Customer Officer
Octopus Investments
2015.07 - 2016.08
Client Services Manager
JP Morgan Asset Management
2013.08 - 2015.07
Bachelor of Arts - Business Management
Bournemouth University
2009.09 - /2013
A-Levels -
Godalming College
2006.06 - 2008.09