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 United Kingdom based Director operating in the Lifestyle 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.
Carla Buzasi
Managing Director of WGSN.com
Carla Buzasi was the founding editor of The Huffington Post UK. During her time at the publication, she saw it grow to 24.4 million global unique users per month, and attract more than 10,000 bloggers, including the likes of David Beckham, Cherie Blair and HRH the Prince of Wales. She also held the role of Vice President and Global Editorial Director of Huffington Post Lifestyle. Carla was awarded the Media Innovator of the Year award in 2012 and has won Editor of the Year at the Online Media Awards for the past two years. She was also named as one of the top 50 female Innovators in Digital Journalism in 2013. In the summer of 2014 she left Huffington Post to take on the new role of Global Chief Content Officer at trends and intelligence company WGSN, leading an international team of journalists, trend forecasters and designers. In addition to her day job, she is a regular commentator on the media, appearing on Newsnight, The Andrew Marr Show, Daily Politics, Sky News and Lorraine.
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About WGSN.com: WGSN a B2B, world-wide information source for the design, textile and style industries.
Rhodri Evans
Brand Content Director – Europe of Levi Strauss & Co.
Rhodri Evans is a Brand Content Director – Europe at Levi Strauss & Co.
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About Levi Strauss & Co.: Levi Strauss & Co. is a brand-name apparel company designs, markets, and sells jeans, casual and dress pants, jackets, skirts, and more.
Elen Barnes
Marketing & Communications Director of TAG Heuer
Elen Barnes is the Marketing & Communications Director at TAG Heuer.
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About TAG Heuer: TAGHeuer is a manufacturing company that designs and markets luxury watches and related fashion accessories.
Michael Kraftman
Non Executive Director of My 1st Years
Michael Kraftman is an Executive Director at My 1st Years.
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About My 1st Years: My 1st Years offers personalised gifts for babies and children.
Jonny Sitton
Co-founder / Director of My 1st Years
Jonny Sitton is a Co-Founder and Director at My 1st Years.
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About My 1st Years: My 1st Years offers personalised gifts for babies and children.
Alexandra Hoffnung
Creative Director, Social Commerce of Net-a-porter.com
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About Net-a-porter.com: Net-a-porter.com is an online luxury fashion retailer.
Andrew Jennings
Group Managing Director, Retail of Woolworths Limited
A highly accomplished global retail executive with more than 40 years of achievement at some of the world’s most respected high-end, speciality stores. Recognised for his leadership capabilities and performance-driven management style, Andrew Jennings commands a vast knowledge of consumer trends, vendor networks and retail practices in mature and emerging markets. He has distinguished himself in senior executive positions in six countries and on four continents including Great Britain, Ireland, Canada, The United States, South Africa and Germany.
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About Saks Fifth Avenue, Woolworths Limited: Woolworths is an Australian company that was founded in 1924 in Sydney. When we opened our first store.
Lee Barney
Director of Information Security of Yoox Net-a-Porter Group
Lee is a passionate believer in using Security as a business enabler; he does this through challenging the preconceptions of the industry and by changing the mind set of those who work in Security to be more pragmatic. Having worked in Defence, Consulting, Finance and now Retail, Lee has a breadth of knowledge about what works well and what doesn’t work at all. Lee advocates a healthy relationship with the Chiefs of an organisation pointing out that our industry is built on Executive buy in not scare mongering.Lee is the Head of Information Security for Marks and Spencer.
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About Yoox Net-a-Porter Group: Yoox Net-a-Porter Group is the global Internet retailing partner for leading fashion and luxury brands.
Francesca Howland
Co-founder, CEO, Director of Bimble
Entrepreneur and all that jazz.
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About Bimble: Bimble is the app for great, little places. Peer-to-peer place recommendations from around the world.
Roderick Bradley
Director, Co-Founder of PlayerLayer
Bradley is a freelance artist and design urban clothing for Rudey Arts and new sportswear for PlayerLayer. Rod supports many charities including the Vitiligo Society and is a great supporter of sports in schools.
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About PlayerLayer: PlayerLayer is a designer and retailer of premium sports performance clothing.
Victoria Ellison
Marketing Director, UK of Equinox Fitness
With over 15 years’ experience in the wellness industry, Vicky Ellison is Marketing Director for global lifestyle leaders Equinox in the UK and a columnist for Well To Do Global and Lucas Hugh. Her career with Equinox has seen her launch and grow new markets for the brand, including London and Vancouver. Prior to this she worked with brands including Third Space, Matt Roberts, Bliss and Elemis. She shares her marketing expertise in a monthly column for Well To Do. Equinox operates 94 upscale, full-service clubs in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Houston, and Washington, DC, as well as international locations in London, Toronto, and Vancouver. The company offers an integrated selection of Equinox-branded programmess, services and products, including strength and cardio training, studio classes, personal training, spa services and products, apparel and food/juice bars. Launching in 2019, Equinox Hotels will cater exclusively to the high-performance traveller to serve as the ultimate hotel destination with a 360-degree lifestyle experience. For more than 25 years, Equinox has consistently offered bespoke experiences and unparalleled services to consumers, developing a lifestyle brand that represents service, value, quality, expertise, innovation, attention to detail, market leadership and results.
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About Equinox Fitness: Equinox Fitness is an American luxury fitness company with its national headquarters in New York.
Jonathan Cole
Managing Director of Velorution
Jonathan Cole is the Executive Chairman at Velorution.
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About Bike Republic, Deko, syco systems, Velorution, Velorution: VELORUTION is the premium urban lifestyle cycling store.
Gretta Cole
Marketing Director of Velorution
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About Velorution: VELORUTION is the premium urban lifestyle cycling store.
Andy Hefferman
Director of Velorution
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About Velorution: VELORUTION is the premium urban lifestyle cycling store.
Ben Thoy
Non-Executive Director of Whey Box
Ben Thoy is the Sales Manager at Trustpilot.
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About Trustpilot, Whey Box: Whey Box is a food and beverages company that specializes in providing protein powder.
Des McManus
Co-Founder – Director of Operations of Friction Free Shaving
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About Friction Free Shaving: UK razor delivery service designed exclusively for women.
Che Frantz
Artistic Director of HEMYCA
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About HEMYCA: HEMYCA is a London based womenswear and accessories with a vision of Innovative design, modern elegance and female empowerment.
Amanjit Dhami
Founder & Creative Director of Ama Dhami
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About Ama Dhami: Ama Dhami is a jewellery e-commerce store that provides earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets.
Stefan Michalak
Founder, Creative Director of Wantfeed
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About Wantfeed: Wantfeed lets you store and curate things from around the web into your own personal wantlist.
David Adams
Non-Executive Director & Chairman of the Remuneration Committee of Elegant Hotels Group PLC
David is currently Chairman of Conviviality Retail plc, Ecovision Ltd, Park Cameras Ltd and Walk the Walk (a breast cancer charity). He is also the Senior Independent Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee at Hornby plc, a Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee at Fevertree Drinks plc and Non-Executive Director and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee at Elegant Hotels Group plc. David was Finance Director and Deputy Chief Executive of House of Fraser plc until 2006, then Executive Chairman of Jessops plc, becoming Non-Executive Chairman in 2009. In addition, he has held several Executive and Non-Executive roles in 30 years in retailing, including ten years as a plc Finance Director. He brings extensive and relevant experience in financial and general management roles, including ten years as plc Finance Director, and has held 4 other plc Audit Chair roles over the last 5 years.
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About : Elegant Hotels offers a unique collection of five luxury hotels beautifully situated along stunning beaches.
Amanda Langford
Founder Director of Blue Badge Style
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About Blue Badge Style: Blue Badge Style provides a retail merchandising system offering style guides for less physically-abled users.
Paul Mounsey
Director of Blue Badge Style
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About Blue Badge Style: Blue Badge Style provides a retail merchandising system offering style guides for less physically-abled users.
Paul Turner
Director of human resources of Princess Yachts International
I am a Chartered FCIPD with an extensive knowledge of TUPE, acquisitions, organisational restructures, employee relations, TU negotiations, international assignments, recruitment, change management & talent management in industries including aviation, logistics and manufacturing. Specialties: TUPE, Employee Relations & Trade Union negotiations.
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About Princess Yachts International: Princess Yachts International plc designs and manufactures luxury yachts.
Paddy O’Clery
Business Development Director of Amber Energy
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About Amber Energy: AMBER is a for profit cooperative with the goal of growing community based green energy generation in Ontario by engaging residents.
Annette Albrecht-Wetzel
CEO, Creative Director and Co-Founder of PIPPA&JEAN
Annette complements with her female intuition, strategic creativity, and sense of style. As a Creative Director, she is responsible for the collections of PIPPA&JEAN. As Brand and Project Leader, she led large, multicultural, global teams and launched brands such as Dove in Europe, the USA, South America and Asia, where she also lived with her family. After the birth of her two daughters she found it shocking that the career of women stalls as a result of starting a family. That’s why she has been behind PIPPA&JEAN with full conviction from the very beginning. She takes a particular interest in fulfilling the wishes of many women who strive for a more flexible and self-determined working style – for Annette, a healthy work-life balance is vital.
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About PIPPA&JEAN: PIPPA&JEAN is a social selling community with the aim of many women’s wish for a self-determined life.
Jelena Jansson
Director of Healstack
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About Chunkie, Healstack: Venture development studio focused on launching innovative products and companies
Victor Jansson
Director of Healstack
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About Chunkie, Healstack, Rota: Venture development studio focused on launching innovative products and companies
Virendra Rajput
Director of Earthmiles
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About Earthmiles: Track and be rewarded for your healthy and fit activities. Get exclusive deals on the widest range of fitness products.
Matt Smith
Co-Founder and Director of Black Tomato
Matt Smith set up Black Tomato Ltd with Tom Marchant and James Merrett in 2005 and to date have had a broad strategic and operational remit across all areas of Black Tomato. Central to Matt’s role is the responsibility for both driving forward the day to day business operations and Business Development / Sales processes that have underpinned the Group’s commercial success and significant growth. I also oversees a number of critical areas of the business including, Office Infrastructure, Company /Staff Culture, IT, Security, Data Protection/GDPR, HR, H&S / F&S, Insurance, Legal Contracting , Procurement, Staff / Business expenses, Staff Reward / Engagement, Staff Training and Staff Meetings and Events. Alongside this, he leads critical strategic projects including those that increase profitability and productivity across the business in line with the constant reinforcement of BT’s ‘purpose’ and company culture both internally and externally.
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About Black Tomato: Black Tomato is a bespoke luxury travel company that delivers imaginative and travel experiences around the world.
Clara Mercer
Communications Director of British Fashion Council
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About British Fashion Council, British Fashion Council: The British Fashion Council (BFC) is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to further the interests of the British fashion industry.
Georgina Barnett
Managing Director of Seventy Thirty Exclusive Matchmaking
Head of Global Membership at Seventy Thirty Exclusive Matchmaking Georgina has a doctorate in Counselling Psychology and has worked for fifteen years in the fields of therapy, coaching and group facilitation. She is passionate about helping people fulfill their potential and achieve their goals. Over the past five years, she has dedicated herself to the area of relationships and matchmaking and continues to coach and write on these subjects. Together with Susie Ambrose, Dr Barnett has written the book The Mottos
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About Seventy Thirty Exclusive Matchmaking: Seventy Thirty is the first exclusive luxury matchmaking company
Heather Berry
Product and Marketing Director of SLG Brands
Heather Berry is the product and marketing director at SGL Brands.
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About SLG Brands: SLG Brands specializes in designing, developing, and manufacturing design-led beauty and lifestyle collections.
Richard Wilkinson
Director of Doisy & Dam
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About Doisy & Dam: Doisy & Dam makes and package everything by hand in the UK, using globally sourced ingredients and the highest quality organic chocolate.
Paul Hollywood
Product Development Director of Starship
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About Starship, vTime Limited: VR | Games | Entertainment | Lifestyle | Health
Natasha Kelly
Director, Co-Founder of Tiosk
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About Tiosk: Tiosk is a contemporary tea brand specialising in premium tea-based drinks.
Nicola Simpson
Director and Co-Founder of Tiosk
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About Tiosk: Tiosk is a contemporary tea brand specialising in premium tea-based drinks.
Nicola Simpson
Director and Co-Founder of Tiosk
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About Tiosk: Tiosk is a contemporary tea brand specialising in premium tea-based drinks.
Julie Austin
Marketing & Digital Director of Bravissimo
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About Bravissimo: Bravissimo is a stylish and supportive swimwear,nightwear with hiddensupport and clothing uniquely designed company located in Warwickshire.
Kim Horton
CEO and Director of EQUUS England
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About EQUUS England: EQUUS England is a cloth manufacturing company for horse riding.
Steven Wood
COO and Director of EQUUS England
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About EQUUS England: EQUUS England is a cloth manufacturing company for horse riding.
Janet Russell
Co-Founder & Director of Design of Arran Aromatics
Janet Russell is Co-Founder & Director of Design at Arran Aromatics.
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About Arran Aromatics: Arran Aromatics produces fragranced body and bath products, and candles.
Roy Clark
Non Exec Director of Virtual Concierge
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About Virtual Concierge: Virtual Concierge is the luxury lifestyle loyalty club, like an hotel concierge for your personal life.
Jill Little
Director of Houseology
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About : Houseology.com – the UKs premier online interior design store
Jill Little
Director of Houseology
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About : Houseology.com – the UKs premier online interior design store
Pamela Sharpe
Director of Miss Pandora
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About Miss Pandora: Miss Pandora is supplementaire due a mesactivites bloguesques.
Arthur Wilson
Director of Boston and Jane
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About Boston and Jane: Boston and Jane are a vintage fashion start-up.
Sadie Clayton
Founder & Creative Director of Sadie Clayton
Sadie Clayton is a luxury sculptural womenswear label launched in 2015. Sadie graduated from Kingston University in 2013 and has shown on the catwalk in London and Berlin, and exhibited as part of the Nick Waplington / Alexander McQueen: Working Process exhibition at Tate Britain, demonstrated her work on several occasions at Tate Modern most recently as part of Late at the Tate’ in October 2016 when 600 people tried on Sadie’s sculptural pieces, presented as part of Artisanal Intelligence at AltaRoma January 2016, showcased at Art Basel Miami December 2016 and exhibited at the Museum of Art and Design as part of Singapore Design Week 2017. Sadie Clayton’s works are inspired by headspace and the concept of time. Finding your headspace, the creativity and enhanced benefits of life in this creative mental environment and holding on to Time which is hard to keep. Sadie believes strongly in collaborations working with many artists and photographers including cult British artist Andrew Logan, Mark Lebon, Ki Price and Darren Gerrish. Sadie also believes in pushing the boundaries with art and technology. For her S/S 2017 collection she worked with MHD Hologram to push the concept of time and headspace by presenting her collection as holographic videos at the Royal Academy of Arts and this season she presented at M&C Saatchi translating the process of creating her copper sculptures into an augmented reality experience. She continues her collaboration with Nixon watches creating a small bespoke range and at her A/W 2017 presentation unveiled the first of an ongoing relationship with Underground shoes. Sadie has also presented at the Café Royal, Royal Academy of Arts, and the Sanctum.
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About Sadie Clayton: Sadie Clayton has become a renouned figure in Londons emerging fashion industry since graduating from Kingston University
