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 CEO’ operating in the Business Development space. If you think a CEO’ 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.
Demis Hassabis
Co-Founder & CEO of DeepMind
DeepMind is a neuroscience-inspired AI company, bought by Google in Jan 2014 in their largest European acquisition to date. Demis is now Vice President of Engineering at Google DeepMind and leads Google’s general AI efforts, including the development of AlphaGo, the first program to ever beat a professional player at the game of Go. Demis is a former child chess prodigy, who finished his A-levels two years early before coding the multi-million selling simulation game Theme Park aged 17. Following graduation from Cambridge University with a Double First in Computer Science he founded the pioneering videogames company Elixir Studios producing award-winning games for global publishers such as Vivendi Universal. After a decade of experience leading successful technology startups, Demis returned to academia to complete a PhD in cognitive neuroscience at UCL, followed by postdocs at MIT and Harvard, before founding DeepMind.
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About DeepMind: DeepMind aims to research and build safe artificial intelligence system to solve intelligence, to advance science and humanity.
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Tim Levene
Partner and CEO of Augmentum Fintech
Tim graduated in Russian Studies from The University of Manchester and joined Bain & Company in Moscow, Boston, Sydney and London. Tim embarked on an entrepreneurial path and left Bain in early 1998 and created a new retail concept when he opened his first Juice bar (Fresh n Smooth) in 1999 in Canary Wharf. The business has since evolved into a 31-store business across London called Crussh. In the summer of 1999, Tim joined 3 former colleagues from Bain & Company and launched Flutter.com. Flutter became one of the highest profile internet businesses in the UK after it merged with Betfair.com in 2001. Tim became the Commercial Director of the newly merged business and launched Betfair globally. In 2010, Tim returned to London to start his next venture. He founded Augmentum Capital with the backing of RIT Capital and Lord Rothschild. The team focused on finding talented entrepreneurial teams in the Fintech industry that were bringing fundamentally disruptive products or platforms to the European market. In 2018, Tim and Richard successfully launched Augmentum Fintech on the main market of the London Stock Exchange, in the process becoming the first publicly listed Fintech fund in the UK. Tim was made a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2012 and for several years advised The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry on digital strategy and innovation. Tim was elected in March 2017 to The Court of Common Council in the City of London to represent the Ward of Bridge (as an Independent). Tim is also a Governor of The City of London School. Outside of the office, Tim has a young family and has been a Chelsea FC season ticket holder since 1979. He remains a keen footballer, golfer and skier although operating at a more sedate pace than in recent years.
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About Augmentum Fintech, City of London, Innovate Finance, The World Economic Forum: Augmentum Fintech is a FinTech fund that invests in early and later-stage FinTech companies.
Vincent Lambert
Founder & CEO of Orbit Partners
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About Bigpoint, Orbit Partners: Orbit Partners facilitates personalized and private discussions between corporate leaders.
Juan Lobato
Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Ebury
Juan Lobato is a tech entrepreneur based in London. He is the co-founder and co-CEO of Ebury, one of European fastest growing fintechs. Furthermore, he is an investor in over a dozen tech companies across the UK, Europe, and the US
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About BaseKit, Ebury: Ebury is a financial services company designed to empower small and medium-sized businesses that want to trade internationally.
Salvador Garcia
Co-CEO & Co-Founder of Ebury
Salvador has led the creation and growth of Ebury. His passion and expertise in Financial Services has enabled Ebury to become one of Europe’s most successful fintech businesses, offering SMEs the financial products required to grow across international boundaries.
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About Ebury: Ebury is a financial services company designed to empower small and medium-sized businesses that want to trade internationally.
Dirk Markus
CEO of AURELIUS Equity Opportunities
Dirk Markus studied business administration in St. Gallen, Switzerland, and Copenhagen, Denmark, he was awarded a PhD by St. Gallen. During his PhD studies, he spent a term at Harvard University, Boston, United States. Dirk Markus has been involved with the restructuring and further development of companies for more than 15 years. During this time, he has been responsible for more than 80 corporate transactions. Dirk Markus is CEO of AURELIUS and responsible for the overall strategy of the AURELIUS Group.
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About AURELIUS Equity Opportunities: Aurelius Equity Opportunities is an investment firm that provides equity, growth, debt and real estate investments.
Ben Cuthbert
Co-Founder and CEO of Celer Technologies
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About Celer Technologies: Celer is a financial software company that creates modular systems that have the flexibility to meet today’s dynamic business environment.
Shashi Fernando
CEO of Auctus Alternative
CEO, Yonder & Beyond. Chairman, Boppl. Chairman, Prism Digital. Chairman, Wondr. Former CEO of Saffron Digital. Former board member of HTC. Former CCO of HTC. Previously the founder and CEO of Saffron Digital which raised $3million in 2007 and was acquired by HTC in 2011 for the value of $50million. Built an exceptional team from scratch to 120 strong across the London and Los Angeles offices. Delivered technologies into the heart of the mobile and entertainment industry by securing clients such as Vodafone, T-Mobile, Samsung USA, Paramount, Disney. Fernando is cited in the Top 50 in the world for Mobile Entertainment consecutively for 2 years, as well as placing for Mobile Power 50, the 50 most powerful people in mobile industry.
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About Auctus Alternative, Boppl Limited, Saffron Digital: Invest. Manage. Succeed. Equipping startups with vital capabilities beyond capital.
Simon Freakley
CEO of Alix Partners
CEO at Alix Partners
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About Alix Partners: AlixPartners is a global business advisory firm of results-oriented professionals who specialize in creating value and restoring business.
Evren Kacar
Founder, CEO of DAN Global
15 years of experience in digital marketing and agency business. Established Synergy, one of the first generation of digital marketing agencies in 2002. In line with the rising trends, Co-founded Boomerang Social Media Agency in 2010. Managed both agencies and supported the development of digital marketing industry in Turkey with DijitalAjanslar.com which began as a local network for digital agencies in 2013. Witnessed the rise of the digital age. Gained deep experience in all areas of digital marketing, working with global brands and Turkey’s most respectable brands since 2002, as the definiton of web agencies became interactive agencies with web 2.0, and digital agencies as of today. Established DAN Global in Turkey to provide online platforms, industry knowledge and various tools to support digital marketing agencies and global community of marketers. Expanded his business to the UK in 2017, and established DAN Global (UK) Ltd. in London which owns and operates the Digital Agency Network (DAN), an all-in-one platform to discover the best digital marketing agencies in the world.
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About DAN Global, Digital Agency Network: DAN Global provides online platforms, industry knowledge and various tools to support digital agencies and global community of marketers.
Karim Ali
Chief Executive Officer of Framework Software
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About Framework Software: Framework Software helps private equity firms efficiently manage its investment data.
Federico Travella
Founder & CEO of Novicap
Federico Travella is the CEO and co-founder of [Novicap](https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/novicap), an online invoice marketplace. He also acts as an advisor to the European Commission. Early in his career, Travella took up project manager roles at both Zanui.com.au and The Iconic before moving on to be the managing director of Rocket Internet in 2012. After leaving Lazada as its EVP, he founded the company Kaymu. Travella holds a master’s degree in marine geology from Ghent University, while he also studied business at the University of Navarra.
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About Novicap: NoviCap is an online platform that allows businesses to receive early payments for outstanding invoices.
Angus Ward
Partner and CEO, Digital Platform Solutions of BearingPoint
Angus is the CEO of BearingPoint’s digital platform solutions arm, BearingPoint//Beyond, appointed in September 2017. Angus brings 30 years of consulting and solutions experience to his role, supporting organizations across multiple industries in shaping strategies and adopting platform-based business and operating models with differentiating partner ecosystems. Key clients have included BP, BT, Boeing, Ministry of Defence and Tata Communications as well as key ecosystem partners like Amazon Web Services. Angus’ work takes him right across BearingPoint//Beyond’s core markets of APAC, EMEA and Americas. Angus’s extensive experience and knowledge over a range of fields has established him as a thought leader, quoted often by newspapers and prominent industry publications, on the topics of business model reinvention, digital platform business models and the role of the ecosystem in the evolving digital economy. Working closely and collaborating with industry bodies such as TM Forum, analysts, research firms and academic organizations such as MIT and Wharton, he regularly presents on the key trends and issues affecting telecoms and technology.
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About BearingPoint: BearingPoint offers management and technology consulting services that transforms businesses by creating customized solutions.
Paul Miller
CEO of Bethnal Green Ventures
Paul is a CEO at Bethnal Green Ventures. He was previously co-founder and CEO of education technology startup School of Everything as well as working for the think tanks Demos and Forum for the Future.
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About Bethnal Green Ventures: Bethnal Green Ventures (BGV) is Europe’s leading early stage tech for good VC.
Omid Pakseresht
Founder and CEO of GOODFOLIO
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About GOODFOLIO, TRAMONEX: Goodfolio is a social conscious invest platform that allows individual users to put their cash into businesses that share their moral views.
Alexander Sainty
CEO of swiftscale
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About swiftscale: Taking companies further, faster
Oliver Bradley
CEO of Global Fund Media
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About Global Fund Media, HedgeWeek: Global Fund Media connects all the institutional investment sectors with actionable market intelligence.
Mark Randall
Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance Capital Partners
Mark Randall is the Chief Executive Officer at Renaissance Capital Partners.
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About Renaissance Capital Partners: Renaissance Capital Partners invests funds in high-growth, innovative, and entrepreneurial businesses and also built environment projects.
Daniel van Binsbergen
CEO and Co-Founder of Lexoo
Daniel van Binsbergen Before founding Lexoo, Daniel worked for over 5 years as a lawyer at an international law firm (De Brauw), first in Amsterdam, then in London. He’s always up for a game of squash, and is easily excited.
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About Lexoo: Lexoo is a lawyer comparison marketplace that helps businesses choose a lawyer with confidence.
Eric Guichard
Chief Executive Officer of Orango Investment
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About Movement Capital, Orango Investment: Orango Investment provides consultation services on financial investment decisions of businesses.
Karen Kwong
Founder and CEO of RenOC
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About RenOC: RenOC provides psychology-based insights that help individuals for their business success.
Tristan Rogers
CEO of Concrete
Tristan Rogers is CEO & Board Member at Concrete
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About Concrete: Concrete provides retail brands a platform to train and retain store staff.
Al Ramich
Founder and CEO of SmallGiants.Agency
Al founded SmallGiants from a passion for taking small companies and building them into giants of their fields. Al is also a founder and CEO at deep-tech startup Loomi.ai. Previously leading digital innovation at Toshiba, Samsung, Vodafone and helped grow IHS Markit digital strategy from a startup to a global $40B giant.
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About Forbes Agency Council, loomi.ai, SmallGiants.Agency: Small Giants is a marketing and business development agency for architecture, engineering, construction & commercial real estate companies.
Antoine Baschiera
CEO and Co-Founder of Early Metrics
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About Early Metrics: Early Metrics is the first startup rating agency.
Chris O’Brien
Co-Founder and CEO of Optial
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About Optial: Optial is a successful global supplier of Enterprise-wide EHS, Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC).
Charlie de Rusett
CEO & Founder of Idea Drop
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About Idea Drop, Yellowball: Idea Drop helps organisations capture, curate and action the best ideas from their people.
Tom Whitehouse
CEO of London Environmental Investment Forum
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About London Environmental Investment Forum, London Environmental Investment Forum: LEIF is an advisory business that convenes and connects capital, big business and new environmental technologies and technologists.
Milton Guffogg
CEO of Retail Realisation
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About Retail Realisation: Retail Realisation is a consultancy that focuses on the retail industry and provides assistance to firms that are having liquidity problems.
David Tymm
CEO of I-Movo Limited
David Tymm is CEO and Owner/Founder at i-movo Limited.
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About I-Movo Limited: I-Movo Limited enables businesses to issue vouchers to their customers, which can then be redeemed securely at over 50,000 stores.
Andy Tomkins
CEO, EMEA of Typhoon Consulting
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About Typhoon Consulting: Typhoon Consulting is a boutique management consultancy.
Anouk Agussol
CEO and Founder of Unleashed
Anouk Agussol is the CEO and Founder of Unleashed.
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About Unleashed: Unleashed works with early-stage start-ups and scale-ups to build a better and more successful business.
Steve Lazarus
CEO of Lazarus Consulting
Having previously held senior roles at Warner Music, ITV, Celador, Yahoo, Myspace and Dow Jones, Steve Lazarus is the Founder and CEO of Lazarus Consulting which is an award winning UK-based boutique advisory firm that launched in 2005 offering Business Development, Capital Raising, Corporate Development and Mergers & Acquisitions services to clients primarily in the tech, media and retail sectors. For further information please visit www.lazarusconsulting.net.
Steve is also an Associate Partner in the Technology, Media, and Telecom team at the UK Affiliate Office of CDI Global, which consists of 50 offices in over 30 countries focusing on mid-market cross-border transactions.
Aside from many years of business development, strategic partnerships, corporate development and M&A experience gained at major multinational companies, at Lazarus Consulting Steve has successfully secured a number of high value transactions for clients.
Prior to his industry roles, Steve qualified as a Solicitor at global law firm Dentons.
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About Lazarus Consulting: Lazarus Consulting is an award winning UK-based tech, media and retail focused boutique advisory firm
Emanur Rahman
Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer of onkho
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About onkho: onkho helps accountants delight their clients and grow their business
Scott Erwin
Founder and CEO of HireHand
Scott Erwin is the founder and CEO at HireHand.
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About HireHand: HireHand is an intelligent and fuss-free staffing platform for food businesses.
Jim Clifford
CEO & Founder of Sonnet Advisory & Impact
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About Sonnet Advisory & Impact: Sonnet Advisory & Impact provides consultation services and solutions to impact-driven businesses.
Endrit Beqaj
Director & CEO of Cashbook Finance
Endrit Beqaj is an experienced Executive Director with a strong demonstrated history of working in the financial services and banking industry. Skilled in Energy, Minerals, Core Banking, Trading & Leasing, Credit Analysis, and Credit Risk. Mr. Beqaj holds an EMBA in Finance from Sheffield University in the United Kingdom.
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About Cashbook Finance: FCA registered company offering Invoice Finance & Factoring services in the UK.
Alpar Kamber
CEO of Denali Sourcing Services
Alpar Kamber is a Managing Partner with Denali Group and the Founder and Practice Lead of Denali Sourcing Services, a next generation sourcing services provider that enables procurement organizations to influence more spend and execute more effectively and efficiently. Prior to joining Denali, Alpar held management positions at Ariba, FreeMarkets, Diamond Technology Partners and E&Y. Alpar leads Denali Group clients in building scalable sourcing programs and operationalize their procurement function that drive consistency, repeatable outcomes, and bottom line value across the organization. Alpar’s expertise is in organizational design, change management, and global program execution. Alpar holds an MBA from Tepper Business School of Carnegie Mellon University. Alpar Kamber named a 2011 Pros to Know by Supply & Demand Chain Executive Read more about Alpar Kamber in the HfS Research interview Meet the sultan of strategic sourcing.
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About Denali Sourcing Services, WNS (Holdings) Ltd: Denali Sourcing Services is a leading provider of strategic procurement BPM solutions.
Tom Hunt
CEO/Cofounder of AskTina
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About AskTina, Repairly: AskTina is Monetise your Expertise
David Greenberg
CEO & Founder of Eave
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About Eave: Eave (formerly EarTex) is a startup developing the next generation of hearing protection and communication technology.
Sheeza Shah
Founder, CEO, Podcast Host of UpEffect
Sheeza Shah is using technology to launch and fund companies improving the planet and human lives. As Founder and CEO of UpEffect, Sheeza combines her background in Computer Science with her passion for social entrepreneurship to work with revolutionary founders on UpEffect, a crowdfunding and support platform to launch products doing good in the world. So far she has helped companies impact 10,000 lives in 7 countries.
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About UpEffect: UpEffect is a crowdfunding platform for companies dedicated to improving lives and the planet.
Brunello Rosa
CEO and Head of Research of Rosa & Roubini Associates
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About Rosa & Roubini Associates: Rosa & Roubini Associates provides high-end, independent, macro-financial research and advisory services for a variety of clients.
Tim Streather
Chief Executive Officer of Spica Technologies
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About Spica Technologies: SPICA – A Nordomatic Company is a specialist IOT Systems Integrator that uses a combination of technical assets, hardware (device).
Neil Herron
Founder and CEO of Grid
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About Grid: Grid connects city businesses, services, people and technology.
Paul Donnelly
Founder and CEO of Teknov8
Paul Donnelly is the founder and CEO of Teknov8.
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About Teknov8: Teknov8 provides managed IT services to help businesses accelerate business activity and boost efficiency.
James Burgess
CEO & Founder of Application Perfection
James Burgess is the CEO and founder of Applications Perfection. Prior to founding the company, James spent three years at The Travel Corporation as a head of product and operations from the year 2017 to 2018 and as a technical delivery manager of 360 engagement from the year 2015 to 2018.
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About Application Perfection: Application Perfection specializes in developing applications for Salesforce.com.
James Burgess
CEO & Founder of Application Perfection
James Burgess is the CEO and founder of Applications Perfection. Prior to founding the company, James spent three years at The Travel Corporation as a head of product and operations from the year 2017 to 2018 and as a technical delivery manager of 360 engagement from the year 2015 to 2018.
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About Application Perfection: Application Perfection specializes in developing applications for Salesforce.com.
