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 COO’ operating in the Automotive space. If you think a COO’ 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.
Lee Hudson
Chief Operating Officer of AppyWay
Lee has spent 20 years bringing cutting edge technology and services to consumers in retail, online and app sectors, leading operational strategy for turnaround and growth. At AppyWay, Lee is responsible for developing strategic IOT and Connected City partnerships and scaling operations for global expansion.
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About AppyWay: AppyWay is a kerbside management & technology firm enabling intelligent mobility for cities.
Romain Saint Guilhem
Co-Founder and COO of Zebra Fuel
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About Altacasa, Zebra Fuel: Zebra Fuel is a mobile fuel delivery service that delivers fuel into a vehicle directly at a preferred delivery time.
Susan Lang-Bissell
Chief Operating Officer of Sunamp
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About Sunamp: Sunamp is a company that provides industrial and residential heat battery storage systems.
Christopher Varin
COO of Cazana
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About Car and Classic: Cazana data helps motor retailers, insurers and lenders digitally transform with big data and machine learning technology
Jesper With-Fogstrup
Chief Operating Officer of comparethemarket.com
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About comparethemarket.com: comparethemarket.com is a company which allows customers to save money by comparing prices in a wide range of goods and services.
Philip Ellis
Co-Founder ,CEO & COO of Beryl
Phil is here to make sure that it happens. Phil approaches cycling with the same ripped down simplicity he does most outdoor pursuits, look good and go fast. In his case one or the other is usually achieved but rarely both. With a law degree, accountancy qualifications and consulting experience, Phil brings a triple threat of legal, financial and operational experience to Blaze.
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About Beryl: The UK’s leading micromobility company
Andy Randall
Group Chief Operating Officer of Halfords
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About Halfords: Halfords is the retailer of motoring, cycling, and leisure products and, through Halfords Autocentres.
Yannis Korgialos
Chief Operating Officer of Ticker
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About Ticker: Ticker develops a device that calculates and controls automobile insurance.
Rob Larmour
COO & Co-Founder of Hiyacar
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About Hiyacar: Hiyacar is a UK peer to peer car sharing platform.
Chris Jones
COO of Blue Motor Finance
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About Blue Motor Finance: Blue is one of the UK’s premier consumer motor finance companies, lending over £750m to over 80,000 customers.
Timothy Waltniel
Chief Operating Officer of Toyota Connected
Prior to joining Toyota Connected Europe, Timothy Waltniel worked for more than 15 years across Toyota’s European and global operations to expand its use of advanced technology. This includes expanding the use of digital technologies as part of Toyota’s manufacturing operations and the Toyota Production System, delivering opportunities for academic and future business collaboration around new technologies including next generation ICT and advanced powertrain, and developing the company’s connected and mobility business strategy in Europe. Waltniel holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and management degrees from both Vlerick and IMD business school.
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About Toyota Connected: Toyota Connected re-imagines the use of data and technology to deliver effortless services that make life easier and driving safer.
Dylan Murphy
COO & CFO of DriveTribe
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About DriveTribe: DriveTribe is a digital media platform that allows businesses to create & publish automobile-related contents to their customers.
Jonathan Neale
COO of McLaren Group
Graduating from Nottingham University in 1984 with an honours degree in physics, Jonathan Neale began a lengthy career in the commercial and defence aerospace industry. Beginning at Philips Defence Systems, he became a chartered electrical and electronic engineer and went on to lead the advanced development group within the electronic warfare division. He moved to BAE systems in 1991, working as a project design engineer leading major systems projects for commercial aircraft. Promoted through the company, he became director of operations and support operations at the Manchester and Prestwick Sites and was responsible for aircraft production, customer support and training. He returned to defence systems and aircraft, taking charge of the Hawk Fast Jet Programme as managing director 1999. He gained his MBA during the 1990s and participated in the government cabinet office’s prestigious Top Management Programme working with public and private sector colleagues. Jonathan joined McLaren Racing as operations director in 2001 to oversee the race team’s operations and engineering processes. He was appointed the company’s managing director in 2004, and Chief Operating Officer and acting CEO in 2014. Jonathan is currently a fellow of the Institute of Directors and occupies a principal role within the organisation, managing overall technical and operational strategy for the whole team.
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About McLaren Group, McLaren Racing: McLaren Group is an automotive, motorsport, and technology company that manufactures sports cars.
Sylviane Boucharens
Chief Operating Officer and co-founder of BioAscent
Sylviane has more than 20 years’ experience in scientific research and drug discovery environment. Sylviane has a track record in building and leading outstanding and productive teams into seamless successful enterprises in start-up and medium and large pharma environment. Prior to BioAscent Sylviane was Head of Global Compound repository and in-vitro Screening (Merck Sharp & Dohme, Newhouse Scotland). She was also responsible for managing a portfolio of early Drug Discovery projects in Cardiovascular from Target Identification and validation to Lead Optimisation. Sylviane attained her PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France, followed by post-doctoral positions at the INSERM U366 Laboratory, France and University of Manchester, UK under the Wellcome Trust International Fellowship.
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About BioAscent, Discovery Performance & Strategy: BioAscent operates a full compound management, logistics and shipping service from our modern, Automated Compound Store.
Andrew Matthews
Chief Operating Officer of Bremsen Technik Group
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About Bremsen Technik Group: Bremsen Technik Group is a manufacturing and distribution company that supplies automotive brake friction and related components.
Bryan Lyons
Chief Operating Officer of Lyons Motor Car
Lyons Motor Car, Chief Operating Officer. Bryan Lyons. One of the worlds most valuable automobiles needs a individual who can sweat the minute details guaranteeing perfection. Master of the end result of our flagship automobile. The ultimate automobile enthusiast a master composites and a ISO certified specialist in carbon fiber. Graduate of BOCES HVAC with certificates in heating ventilation and air conditioning special applications..
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About Lyons Motor Car: Lyons Motor Car has proven sales interest with media, clients and fans conjoining to create an explosive combination of support.
