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 VP’ operating in the Consumer Goods space. If you think a VP’ 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.
Alex Owens
VP, Global Head of Data & Analytics of Unilever
Alex is currently CMI Vice President, Global Head of People Data Centres, AI & Data Governance at Unilever based in London. Prior to joining Unilever, he was Head of Insight & Analytics at Sainsbury’s and had joint accountability for the Nectar relationship. Previous to this, Alex had numerous Insight/Strategy and Analytics roles in Banking and Media. He started his career over 20 years ago at Millward Brown as Research Manager working across a range of large international FMCG clients e.g. Guinness Africa. After Millward Brown, Alex moved to the BBC where he formed part of the team that developed BBCi Player back in 2000 before moving to support the launch of Freeview. He then moved to BskyB during James Murdoch’s first reign before spending 5 years in banking, first with Capital One and then as Head of Strategy at Lloyds Banking Group. Alex earned a first class honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business & Economics from Aberdeen Business School, Robert Gordons University.
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About Unilever: Unilever produces and supplies fast-moving consumer goods in food, home, and personal care product categories worldwide.
Bobby Ford
Vice President/Global CISO of Unilever
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About Unilever: Unilever produces and supplies fast-moving consumer goods in food, home, and personal care product categories worldwide.
Sarah Mansfield
VP Global Media Europe & Americas of Unilever
Sarah Mansfield has started at Unilever in June 2012. She is responsible for the European, North and South America Media Function supporting the local markets in best in class media plans and capabilities. Previously Sarah led Marketing Services for Unilever’s UK & Ireland business covering media and communications planning and implementation, digital best practice and brand PR. Prior to this Sarah held various roles at Barclays Bank PLC, the most recent as Global Head of Communications and Media at Barclaycard and previously as Head of Innovation Marketing responsible for launching new propositions such as contactless payments, mobile payments to the UK. Sarah has extensive media, communications and digital marketing experience across a number of industry sectors having also worked at various integrated agencies in account management and planning roles. Sarah studied in Sheffield and has a BA (Hons) in Business Studies and Marketing. In her spare time she enjoys running as well as music, playing the violin in a local orchestra.
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About Unilever: Unilever produces and supplies fast-moving consumer goods in food, home, and personal care product categories worldwide.
Sam Jones
Vice President of Torch Capital
Sam Jones serves as the Vice President at Torch Capital.
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About Torch Capital: Torch Capital is an early-stage consumer-focused venture capital firm.
Melissa Kantor
VP of People Analytics and Insights of The LEGO Group
Melissa Kantor is Vice President of People Analytics and Insights at The LEGO Group. She is an accomplished Programme and Changes Director with substantial experience delivering global HR, IT, Digital and Analytics initiatives for the world’s leading corporates across sectors, including the Big Four, global financial institutions, IT and bio-techs, as well as Silicon Valley-based start-ups. Her varied background also includes delivery of Finance, Supply Chain, Quote to Cash and other change initiatives.
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About The LEGO Group: The LEGO Group is a family-owned company that specializes in the development of children’s creativity through playing and learning.
Matt Hiscock
VP of Harry’s
Matt Hiscock is General Manager UK of Harry’s Inc., a company that manufactures and sells razor blades and grooming products to brands and consumers all over the world. Harry’s was founded in 2013 in the United States with its headquarters in New York City, Eisfeld, Germany and London, England. Matt joined Harry’s in 2016 and lead the brands launch into the UK market in June 2017. Formerly, Matt was Marketing Director for British clothing retailer, Boden, running all global commercial activity across eight dedicated markets. He spent seven years at leading online fashion store, ASOS, where he had multiple roles, most notably as Head of Operations overseeing international markets, web production, CX and visual merchandising. Previous to ASOS he worked at British multinational retailer Marks & Spencer for eleven years where he managed the Middle East and Central EU franchise businesses before joining French Connection, a UK-based global fashion and homeware label. Matt currently lives in Brighton with his fiancé, Emma, and two daughters.
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About Harry’s: Harry is a developer of an online platform used to sell shaving equipment and accessories for men.
