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 Birmingham based Director operating in the Finance 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.
Sarah Card
Executive Director of Goldman Sachs
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About Goldman Sachs: Goldman Sachs is a multinational financial services firm providing securities, investment banking, and management services.
Robert Schofield
Director, Midlands of LDC
Rob joined LDC in 2011 as a seasoned corporate financier with 15 years of experience with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, and most recently, US investment bank Jefferies & Co. Rob has extensive transaction experience, particularly within industrial end sectors, with a strong bias to aerospace & defence. Rob was previously a Managing Director in Jefferies’ European Aerospace & Defence investment banking sector team, which he was instrumental in building during his five and a half years with the Company. His past clients have included AIM Group PLC, BAE Systems, BBA Aviation, Esterline Technologies, FL Smidth, Siemens, UMECO and United Technologies Corp. Since joining LDC, Rob led the investment in Shimtech (syndicated) and Showcard. He also sits on the board of TPN.
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About LDC: LDC is a private equity company which provides funds for buyouts and development capital transactions in UK unquoted companies.
Matt Newbold
Investment Director, Midlands of LDC
Matt joined LDC in Sept 2012 to work in the Midlands Investment team. Matt has eight years corporate finance experience with PwC Corporate Finance and Catalyst Corporate Finance, working in both the UK and North America where he spent two years. Matt holds a first class honours degree in Accounting and Finance and is a qualified Chartered Accountant.
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About LDC: LDC is a private equity company which provides funds for buyouts and development capital transactions in UK unquoted companies.
Steve Lewis
Investment Director of Maven Capital Partners
Based in Birmingham, Steve has responsibility for new MEIF investments across the Midlands, as well as managing portfolio investments across the region. He joined Maven in 2017 following a long career in SME investment and banking, primarily in and around Birmingham. He was most recently a Branch Manager with Handelsbanken in Wolverhampton, and has extensive experience of commercial banking having worked for a number of UK-based banks.
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About Maven Capital Partners: Maven Capital Partners is a private equity firm that provides a range of funding options to SMEs and investment opportunities.
Jorge G. Castro
Director of Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation
Jorge G. Castro was elected a director in August 2003. Mr. Castro has served as Chief Executive Officer of Lombardia Capital Partners [formerly known as Valenzuela Partners, LLC], a private equity investment firm since 2003. From 1989 to 2003, Mr. Castro served as Chief Executive and Chief Investment Officer of CIC/HCM Asset Management.
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About Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation: Infinity Auto Insurance: An Insurance Company that is All About You
James Dixon (Mountain Brook)
Managing Director, Southern Region – Stifel of Stifel Financial
Managing Director, Southern Region at Stifel.
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About Stifel Financial: Stifel Financial Corp. is as a financial services holding company.
Adam Cranford
Managing Director of New Capital Partners
Adam Cranford joined NCP after completing his MBA at the University of Chicago. Before graduate school, Adam worked for Dollar General Corporation. During his time at the Fortune 500 retailer, Adam served as an Executive Group Analyst for the company’s executive team and managed a national store restructuring project. In Adam’s final year at DG, he supported the Kohlberg Kravis Roberts buyout of Dollar General as a Senior Manager. Adam earned a BS in Management and MS in International Affairs from Georgia Tech. Additionally, Adam holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
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About New Capital Partners: New Capital Partners is an Alabama-based private equity firm that manages private equity and economic development funds.
Roger Wood
Director/Shareholder of Midven
Roger joined Midven in June 2004. He is a Director of the Company and Fund Principal, and Investment Committee member, of the Advantage Growth Fund. Roger also has responsibility for Compliance and Marketing. He trained as a Chartered Accountant with Price Waterhouse. Following a secondment into their Corporate Finance department he spent 7 years as a Corporate Finance adviser with Ernst & Young and Bentley Jennison, focusing on small and medium sized private company transactions. Roger has a degree in Industrial Economics from Nottingham University. Roger has particular expertise in positioning businesses for exit and identifying the right time to sell.
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About Midlands Engine Investment Fund, Midven: Midven is a specialist venture capital company providing investment to fast growing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), run by an
Surjit Kooner
Investment Director of Midven
Surjit joined Midven in August 2005 and is an Investment Director, and Investment Committee Member, for the Exceed Partnership. He is a Chartered Accountant with over eleven years experience of advising small and medium sized private companies, particularly in the area of fund raising. Surjit trained with Arthur Andersen, specialising in corporate finance. Following a 12 month secondment to ISIS Equity Partners he joined Deloitte Corporate Finance in January 2003. Surjit has a degree in Economics and Finance from Brunel University and a Masters in Corporate Strategy & Governance from Nottingham University. Surj has added significant value as part-time Finance Director for a number of Midven portfolio companies.
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About Midven: Midven is a specialist venture capital company providing investment to fast growing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), run by an
David Averyt
Managing Director, Birmingham of Acuity
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About Acuity: Acuity is the modern accounting organization built specifically for high-growth entrepreneurs and startups.
Brandon Reinkensmeyer
Co-Founder, Managing Director of Reink Media Group
Dynamic internet entrepreneur with experience in business operations, finance, and marketing. We have one primary focus: Empowering self-directed investors.
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About Reink Media Group: Michigan based company that owns and operates multiple finance based websites.
Simon Breakspear
IT, Supervision & Training Director of PRIMIS Mortgage Network
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About PRIMIS Mortgage Network: PRIMIS Mortgage Network is a mortgage and protection network that provides financial services.
