London-based life sciences and sustainability technology investment and commercialisation group NetScientific has appointed Ed Hooper as its first general counsel. Hooper also joins as group company secretary and as executive director to the company’s corporate finance specialist subsidiary, EMV Capital.

Hooper was previously a partner at international law firm Trowers & Hamlins, where he led and developed the firm’s corporate finance team in London. He has 20 years’ experience as a lawyer in the City, specialising in advising on a broad range of corporate transactions, including fundraisings, M&A, IPOs, joint ventures and restructurings, many on an international scale.

Hooper will work alongside and support NetScientific’s chief executive and executive chairman, with a focus on implementation of the company’s growth strategy. He will lead on projects to expand and grow the company’s portfolio companies, and prepare and deliver exit and liquidity events for them.

Ilian Iliev, chief executive of NetScientific said: “We have worked closely with Ed for many years and highly value his legal, commercial and strategic insight. We are delighted to welcome him to our company as we continue to drive and scale our growing portfolio towards key value inflection points, support in key transactions, and drive towards exits and liquidity events. Ed brings to the company a wealth of high-calibre transactional expertise, providing us with further critical mass as we continue our ambitious growth plans, and will overlay additional governance measures for the company and its group.”

Hooper commented: “Having advised NetScientific, and before that, EMV Capital, for a number of years, I am thrilled to join the company at a key point in its continued growth cycle. I look forward to working with this excellent team and to driving its ambitious plans for the company and its exciting portfolio of life sciences and technology companies.”