Best Startup
At Best Startup UK we track over 130,000 UK startups and over 500,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top Sussex based Director operating in the Financial Services space. If you think a Director is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on editor@beststartup.co.uk.
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Companies House UK, Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Vanessa Hackett
Director Software Engineering of American Express
Vanessa joined American Express 20 years ago as an Executive Assistant. She went on to gain experience in analytical as well as project & programme management-related roles in Technology, before advancing to the role of Delivery Director 8 years ago, and the role of Vice President 2 years ago. Vanessa’s global Product Engineering team focuses on enabling digital customer experiences through global APIs, as well as releasing business value through one of the core back-end loyalty platforms. In addition, Vanessa is playing a key role in leading the increased adoption of automation throughout our development pipeline as well as continuing to mature the use of Agile practices and DevOps across her product teams. She is also passionate about building diverse talent, fostering a culture of inclusivity and she mentors people across the organisation. Vanessa is the executive sponsor for the Company’s UK Women in Technology network.
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About American Express: American Express is a global financial services company best known for its credit card, charge card, and traveler’s cheque businesses.
Alex Ayers
Director, Information Security Risk and Engagement of American Express
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About American Express: American Express is a global financial services company best known for its credit card, charge card, and traveler’s cheque businesses.
Maurice Craft
Managing Director of Regency Factors
Maurice formed Regency Factors with his wife Hilary over 20 years ago, recognising the need for the SME market to have a factoring company that clients could work closely with, one that offered excellent service for an affordable fee. This ethos has continued throughout the development of Regency, and through this Maurice has strived to create a bastion of financial support for all manner of businesses. Maurice’s own efforts were recognised by the Asset Based Finance Association (ABFA) in 2009/10, when they honoured him with the Chair of the Association. He still serves on its Board of Directors and is an active member of its Educational Committee today. He is recognised as one of the sector’s leading figures – an ‘elder’ in his profession.
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About Regency Factors: Regency Factors is one of the oldest independently owned invoice factors and asset based lenders in the UK.
Alex Smith
Director, Consulting Services of Sovos
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About Sovos: Sovos specializes in tax compliance and business-to-government reporting software.
Anna Higgins
Strategy Program Director of Sovos
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About Sovos: Sovos specializes in tax compliance and business-to-government reporting software.
Andy Spencer
Director, Consulting Services of Sovos
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About Sovos: Sovos specializes in tax compliance and business-to-government reporting software.
Keith Clarke
Director of FP&A – EMEA Region of Sovos
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About Sovos: Sovos specializes in tax compliance and business-to-government reporting software.
Rob Janering
VAT Director – Crowe UK of Crowe LLP
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About Crowe LLP: Crowe LLP is a public accounting, consulting, and technology firm.
Judith Humby
Director of Financial Machineries
Judith started as a client trainer across all desktop and trading solutions for Reuters in 1996. She followed with roles in many tier 1 banks in London and New York, covering market data analysis and management. As well as a consultant to a Spanish market data firm, she spent over 6 years as a senior analyst/manager at 3d innovations (3di) in the Research and Analysis (R&A;) team, researching and producing bespoke reports on market data vendors and products. Her experience spans data and technology products for both buy- and sell-side clients across all markets, from equities to energy. She enjoys problem solving, researching, writing and maintaining close relationships with vendors and clients.
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About Financial Machineries: Financial Machineries are specialist market data information, technology and services company.
