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 London based CFO’ operating in the Health Care space. If you think a CFO’ 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.
Adrian Hennah
CFO of Reckitt
Adrian joined the Company in January 2013 as Chief Financial Officer Designate, and was appointed as CFO in February 2013. He joined the Company following six years at Smith & Nephew plc, as CFO. Previously he was CFO for four years at Invensys, the international engineering company. Adrian also spent 18 years at GlaxoSmithKline plc, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, holding a number of senior management and financial roles. He has previously worked at PwC (then Price Waterhouse) for four years in both audit and consultancy, and also for Stadtsparkasse Koeln, the German regional bank. He is a Non-Executive Director of Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV.
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About Reckitt: Reckitt Benckiser Group is a consumer goods company makes health, hygiene and home products.
Chris Williams
Chief Financial and Commerical Officer (CFO) of RwHealth
Chris was the CEO of a fast-growing SaaS business in Health sector for 6 years, working on all aspects of development including: Sales, Product, Operations and Finance. Within this time, Chris reshaped the business, and finally managed the transaction processes to exit (initially IPO, then Trade sale). Chris has also worked as a Deloitte Partner, within the Corporate Finance – Technology & Media sector, including 7 years as National Head with deals ranging from £10m to £400m
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About RwHealth: RwHealth is a provider of healthcare ML and AI driven patient flow, predictive analytics and insights platform in the UK, US and AUZ.
Paula Wada
CFO of Baby2Body
Coming from New York to London in 2013, Paula has many years of experience in investment consulting – and her prowess in financials, spreadsheets and keeping us on point is her specialty. Paula is a passionate fan of dynamic Pilates, spinning, Kobe Bryant, and she is possibly the most unusual Millwall supporter.
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About Baby2Body: Baby2Body is a fully automated health, fitness and wellbeing coaching platform for pregnant women and mothers.
Nick Burley
Chief Financial Officer of Alliance Medical
Nick joined the Group in July 2012 as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Alliance Medical Nick worked as CFO for Tianhe Chemicals Group Limited, a Chinese chemicals group who were looking to enter the FTSE 100 following a proposed IPO. Prior to this, Nick was CFO of The Vita Group, a manufacturer of industrial polymers and compounds and a private equity backed venture of TPG Capital. Nick has also worked as the European Chief Financial Officer of McCormick Inc. and held senior finance and tax roles in Aliied Domecq Limited and General Electric Inc. Nick is a Chartered Accountant and member of the Institute of Taxation, having qualified for both whilst working at Coopers & Lybrand.
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About Alliance Medical: Alliance Medical is independent provider of imaging services.
Willem Baralt
CFO of Quanta
Willem has almost twenty years of investment banking, executive management, and private equity experience. Amongst his achievements, he was pivotal in the $1.6bn turnaround and public listing of FLAG Telecom and was co-founder and CFO of Arqaam Capital, one of the largest boutique investment banks based in Dubai. Previously, he has worked at the telecommunications firm Ameritech (SBC), as well the investment banks Deutsche Bank and Panmure Gordon. More recently, he led the acquisition and the subsequent merger of the real-estate agency Humberts with Chesterton. As Deputy Chairman of the enlarged Chesterton Humberts he oversaw its growth into one of the largest real-estate agencies in the UK. Willem has undergraduate degrees in business administration and computer science from Lehigh University and an MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Business.
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About Quanta: Quanta develops an advanced haemodialysis systems for use in the home and clinic.
Tom Sawyer
Chief Financial Officer of Cognetivity Neurosciences
Tom Sawyer is the Chief Financial Officer at Cognetivity Neurosciences.
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About Cognetivity Neurosciences: Cognetivity Neurosciences is a Platform technology for early, rapid and easy detection of dementia.
Charlie Steel
Chief Financial Officer of Babylon
CFO of Babylon, one of the world’s leading AI-driven, out-of-hospital care technology businesses, where I have raised over $1bn of financing across debt, equity and convertibles from sovereign wealth funds, strategic, VC investors and credit funds. Led bringing both Babylon and CMC Markets to being listed businesses, on the NYSE and LSE respectively. Additionally, I work part-time as a Non-Executive Director at the UK Government’s Department of Work and Pensions, on their Transformation Committee.
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About Babylon, Department for Work and Pensions: Babylon is a world leading, digital-first, value-based care company.
Graham Baker
Chief Financial Officer of Smith & Nephew
Graham holds an MA degree in Economics from Cambridge University and qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser with Arthur Andersen. In 1995, he joined AstraZeneca PLC where he worked for 20 years, holding multiple senior roles, including Vice President Finance & Chief Financial Officer, North America (2008-2010), Vice President, Global Financial Services (2010-2013) and Vice President, Finance, International (2013-2015) with responsibility for all emerging markets. Most recently, Graham was Chief Financial Officer of generic pharmaceuticals company Alvogen.
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About Jardine Strategic Holdings, Smith & Nephew: Smith and Nephew is a manufactures and markets orthopedic devices, sports medicine and ENT technologies.
Gavyn Stear
CFO of YgEia3
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About YgEia3: YgEia3 works with corporations developing comprehensive wellness testing for each company.
James Rawlingson
Chief Financial Officer of Arix Bioscience
James has substantial experience at board and senior management level gained over 20 years of involvement in financial services and UK public companies. James’ former role was Group CFO of Charles Stanley plc, a leading wealth manager with over £20 billion of funds under management and administration. Previously, James was Group CFO for Coutts Bank, where he was responsible for the global finance function and held a key role in setting strategy. Before this James spent two years at UBS Wealth Management based in Zurich after promotion from his role as CFO of UBS Wealth UK.
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About Arix Bioscience: Arix Bioscience is a healthcare and life science company.
Keith Lovell
CFO of Antidote.me
Keith Lovell brings over 15 years’ experience gained from commercial, financial and management positions in a range of blue-chip, entrepreneurial and start-up organisations. Prior to Shazam at Extreme Mobile, Keith played an integral role in formulating commercial and financial plans for an MNVO venture with Vodafone. Previously, he was also responsible for all major network operator and supplier relationships at DX Communications Ltd and played a key role in negotiating the sale of the UK retail business to BT Cellnet, now 02.
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About Antidote.me: Antidote is a digital health company that accelerates and improves medical research by combining technologies, data, and business models.
Gerard Smith
CFO of SERMO
Gerard joined SERMO in 2011 as the Chief Financial Officer responsible for the company wide Finance, HR and Legal functions along with Investor Relations. Previously he was EMEA CFO of Acxiom, a global Marketing Services Company with revenues exceeding $1.1 billion, CFO of Easynet, a former BSkyB Company, with revenues of $400 million and has held several international finance leadership roles in Dell Corporation during a period in which the business grew from one billion to $13 billion. Gerard has over 25 years of finance experience and graduated with a Business degree from City University, London and is a Chartered Marketer and Chartered Management Accountant.
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About SERMO: SERMO is the social network for doctors.
Fiona Stewart
Chief Financial Officer of Cambridge Epigenetix
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About Cambridge Epigenetix, Fusion Global Capital: Cambridge Epigenetix is using epigenetics to reduce several routine & important diagnostic tests for common cancers to a simple blood draw.
Adeel Ahmad
Chief Financial Officer of Advanz Pharma
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About Advanz Pharma: ADVANZ PHARMA is a pharmaceutical company focused on serving the needs of patients and healthcare providers.
Gianclaudio Antonelli
Chief Financial Officer of AchilleS Vaccines
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About AchilleS Vaccines: AchilleS Vaccines is a company that aims to attract some of the industry’s brightest brains.
Barry Knight
CFO of Edinburgh Molecular Imaging
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About Domainex, Edinburgh Molecular Imaging: Edinburgh Molecular Imaging is a developer of optical molecular imaging technology.
Andrew McMeeking
CFO of Prescient Healthcare Group
Andrew joined Prescient’s team in 2012 after holding finance director positions in marketing services companies such as Publicis and Gyro. He is a qualified chartered accountant and holds an honors degree in accountancy from Dundee University. He manages Prescient’s finances and is the company secretary. He was heavily involved in setting up the shared resources service center in the UK and arranging Prescient’s de-merger/MBO in 2014.
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About Prescient Healthcare Group: Prescient Healthcare Group was founded in London in 1995, originally specializing in competitive insights.
Thad Huston
Chief Financial Officer of LivaNova
Thad Huston is the Chief Financial Officer of LivaNova. Huston joined LivaNova after more than 25 years of healthcare experience at Johnson & Johnson (J&J) where he most recently served as Group Chief Financial Officer, Medical Devices. While at J&J, Huston was pivotal in accelerating the growth for many of its divisions through focused strategies, calculated investments in innovation and streamlined productivity. Huston held various other senior roles while at J&J, including: President of J&J’s Xian-Janssen Pharmaceuticals division in China; Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer in J&J Pharmaceutical Research and Development; as well as Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals. Prior to this, he held senior financial roles at various J&J locations in the U.S., China, Belgium, Russia and Hungary. A Certified Management Accountant, Huston holds a Bachelor of Science in finance with an emphasis in accounting from Pennsylvania State University.
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About LivaNova: LivaNova PLC is a global medical technology company built on nearly five decades of experience and a relentless commitment.
Anjum Ahmad
CFO of Touchlight Genetics
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About Touchlight Genetics: Touchlight Genetics, a British bio-pharmaceutical company founded in 2007.
Robin Pakenham
Chief Financial Officer of Kind Consumer
Robin Pakenham is the chief financial officer of Kind Consumer.
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About Kind Consumer: Kind Consumer is a healthcare research and development company focused on inhalation technologies.
Stephen Geater
Chief Financial Officer of Pai Skincare
Stephen Geater is the Chief Financial Officer at Pai Skincare.
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About Pai Skincare: Our premium products provide solutions for sensitive skin in all its forms – whether it be dry or oily, youthful or mature.
Peter Worrall
CFO of Rex Bionics
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About Rex Bionics: REX is a hands-free, self supporting, independently controlled, robotic mobility device.
Jean-Luc Janet
Chief Financial Officer of Outcomes First Group Ltd.
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About Outcomes First Group Ltd.: Outcomes First Group Ltd provides social care and/or education services.
Steve Whant
Chief Financial Officer and Director of NiQ Health
Founding Director of PMSI, London based strategy consulting entity est. 1989. Support for new market development opportunities and particular focus on BI development. Multiple Healthcare transactions & ongoing client base in Healthcare sector.
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About AlignAlytics, NiQ Health, PMSI Strategy LLP: One of the leading care management systems for hospitals and aged care applications in January 2010.
Nic Hellyer
Chief Financial Officer of Byotrol
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About Byotrol, Pelatro: Byotrol operates as a developer of consumer and professional antimicrobial technologies and products.
John Bugos
Chief Financial Officer of North American Partners in Anesthesia
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About North American Partners in Anesthesia: North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA) is the leading single specialty anesthesia and perioperative management company.
James Bailey
CFO of emoquo
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About emoquo: Emoquo is an award winning digital coaching app and real-time people analytics platform for everyone at work.
Kristoffer Laurson
CFO of Beat2Phone
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About Beat2Phone, Camco Clean Energy: Beat2Phone is a simple, reliable and easy-to-use ECG device and application for people with heart problems.
Raymond Spencer
CFO of OxStem
Raymond Spencer, CFO has over 30 years’ experience as a senior financial officer in biotech. For 12 years he was the CFO of LSE listed Antisoma plc. Whilst at Antisoma he was instrumental in completing the IPO in 1998, several fund-raising rounds that totalled over £100 million, the acquisition of two private US biotech companies and the closing of three licensing deals with big pharma with total upfront licence fees exceeding £100m. Raymond was CFO for AIM listed Summit plc for 5 years to July 2014 having completed a restructuring of the company, raised over £20m in equity financing and the acquisition of the Oxford University spin-out MuOx Ltd. Raymond is currently part-time founder, Director and CFO of MGB-Biopharma Ltd, which has raised over £6m from angel investors, Scottish Enterprise and won a Biomedical Catalyst award from Innovate UK to progress drugs for treatment of anti-microbial resistance. He has also established his own consultancy company, Bio-CFO Ltd providing services to biotech and cleantech companies. Raymond qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG in 1979.
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About MGB Biopharma, OxStem: OxStem is a drug discovery company.
