Iain Cooper, manager of technology investments, moved to head oil services company Schlumberger’s corporate venturing deals in 2007. In this role he looks after early-stage technology scouting and corporate venturing for Schlumberger Worldwide. He also looks after relationships with Intel, Boeing and General Motors.

Before this he worked as a product development manager between 2004 and 2007 and as a research director for drilling, measurements, well completions and productivity from 2001 to 2004.

He gained a PhD in meteorology from Reading University between 1988 to 1992, before which he studied mathematics and physics at Bristol University.

What is the future of your sector?

Cooper said: “Given the number of new players in upstream oil and gas, with Statoil moving into the US, Aramco Ventures, the consolidation of BP Ventures from cleantech to upstream, I think it is quite rosy. This is particularly as we have syndicated with some major Silicon Valley corporate venturers in our recent deals.”