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 Managing Director operating in the Venture Capital space. If you think a Managing 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.
James Hatchley
Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer (Europe) of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
James Hatchley (London) is a Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer (Europe) for KKR with local responsibility for the operations of KKR’s businesses across the MENA region. Mr. Hatchley joined KKR as Co-Chief Executive of Avoca Capital in 2014 where he has responsibility for business strategy, strategic fund raising and oversight of non-investment functions. He joined Avoca in May 2012. Previously, he spent 23 years working in the City of London as an investment banker with Schroders, Greenhill and Freeman & Co. Mr. Hatchley established Freeman & Co.’s European business in 2006. During his time as a banker he provided independent strategic and financial advice to a wide range of banks, insurance companies and selected institutional investors. Mr. Hatchley qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Andersen. He has a first class B.Sc (hons) Degree in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Surrey in the UK.
Follow James Hatchley:
About Kohlberg Kravis Roberts: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is a global alternative asset manager focusing on private equity, fixed income, and capital markets.
_______
Johannes P. Huth
Managing Director & Head of KKR EMEA of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
Johannes P. Huth (London) joined KKR in 1999 and is a Member of KKR and Head of KKR’s operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He has participated in investments including Wincor Nixdorf, Zumtobel, Demag Holdings, MTU Aero Engines, DSD, Selenia, Kion Group, NXP Semiconductors, Pro7 Sat1, BMG, Wild, and Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik AG (WMF). He is currently a member of the Supervisory Board of Kion. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board of NXP BV. He is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of WMF, and member of the Board of Hertha KGaA. Prior to joining KKR, Mr. Huth was a member of Investcorp’s Management Committee and was also responsible for the firm’s operations in Europe. Previously, he was with Salomon Brothers, where he was a vice president in the mergers and acquisitions departments in London and New York. Mr. Huth holds a B.Sc with highest honors from the London School of Economics and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. He is Chairman of the Trustees of the Private Equity Foundation, Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Design Museum, trustee of the Staedel Museum in Frankfurt, a governor of the London School of Economics, and trustee of The Education Endowment Foundation.
Follow Johannes P. Huth:
About Kohlberg Kravis Roberts: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is a global alternative asset manager focusing on private equity, fixed income, and capital markets.
Valeria Rebulla
Managing Director of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
Valeria Rebulla (London) joined in 2009 and heads the Capital Solutions Group in Europe. Since joining KKR Capital Markets, she has played an instrumental role in arranging multiple financings for KKR acquisitions and portfolio companies, including: PortAventura, SBB, Acteon, OEG Offshore, Fotolia, Bond Aviation, Inaer, Versatel, Alliance Boots, Wild Flavours, WMF and NXP. Prior to joining KKR, she was an executive director on Goldman Sachs’ Leveraged Finance Capital Markets desk. She began her career at Goldman Sachs in the late 1990s and developed a broad range of skills in the Advisory Group, and subsequently in the venture capital group (then “GS Ventures”), before moving into the Leveraged Finance Division. She holds an M.Sc., summa cum laude, from L. Bocconi University.
Follow Valeria Rebulla:
About Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Said Business School, University of Oxford: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is a global alternative asset manager focusing on private equity, fixed income, and capital markets.
Abhishek Kapur
Managing Director – Regional Lead, KKR Capstone of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
Follow Abhishek Kapur:
About Kohlberg Kravis Roberts: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is a global alternative asset manager focusing on private equity, fixed income, and capital markets.
Mark Howard
Managing Director & Chief Compliance Officer International Markets of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
Mark Howard (London) joined KKR in 2011 as a Compliance Officer for Europe and Mid-East. Before joining KKR.
Follow Mark Howard:
About Kohlberg Kravis Roberts: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is a global alternative asset manager focusing on private equity, fixed income, and capital markets.
Ludo Bammens
Managing Director of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
Ludo Bammens (London) joined KKR in 2009 as the Director of European Corporate Affairs. Before joining KKR, Mr. Bammens was the Director of European Public Affairs at Coca-Cola Company Europe Group. Prior to taking this role he was Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications for the Europe Group of Coca-Cola Enterprises, the largest bottler in the Coca-Cola system. He joined Coca-Cola from Janssen Pharmaceutical (the pharmaceutical branch of Johnson & Johnson) where he was Director of European Public Affairs. From 1986-1991, Mr. Bammens was Deputy Chef de Cabinet of King Baudouin of Belgium. Mr. Bammens is honorary member of the Executive Board of the Belgian Banking and Market Supervisory Authority and former member of the Stakeholder Group of the European Securities and Market Authority(ESMA).
Follow Ludo Bammens:
About Kohlberg Kravis Roberts: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is a global alternative asset manager focusing on private equity, fixed income, and capital markets.
Franziska Kayser
Managing Director of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
Managing Director at KKR & Co. Inc.
Follow Franziska Kayser:
About Kohlberg Kravis Roberts: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is a global alternative asset manager focusing on private equity, fixed income, and capital markets.
Clayton Perry
Managing Director, Client and Partner Group of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
Clayton Perry (London) joined KKR in 2014 as part of Avoca Capital and is responsible for the strategic development of KKR’s collateralized loan obligation business. Before joining Avoca in 2010, he worked for Credit Suisse for sixteen years in a variety of roles, most recently running the collateralized loan obligation arranging business. Mr. Perry has a B.A. from Otago University and an M.Sc from the London School of Economics.
Follow Clayton Perry:
About Kohlberg Kravis Roberts: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is a global alternative asset manager focusing on private equity, fixed income, and capital markets.
William Needham
Managing Director of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
William Needham (London) joined KKR in 2014 and is European Legal Counsel for KKR Credit.
Follow William Needham:
About Kohlberg Kravis Roberts: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is a global alternative asset manager focusing on private equity, fixed income, and capital markets.
Paul Roberts
Managing Director, KKR Prisma of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts
Paul Roberts (London) joined KKR Prisma, which previously conducted business as Prisma Capital Partners LP, in 2008. Mr. Roberts is part of the Client and Partner Group, focusing on customized hedge fund solutions. Prior to joining KKR Prisma, Mr. Roberts was a managing director and co-head of European shares at Goldman Sachs & Co. Previously, he worked in the equity derivatives group of Goldman Sachs & Co. advising institutions on portfolio restructuring and hedging strategies. Earlier in his career, he was the head of derivative sales at SG Warburg, responsible for the distribution of all listed and OTC products. Mr. Roberts holds an M.A. in Economics from Cambridge University.
Follow Paul Roberts:
About Kohlberg Kravis Roberts: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts is a global alternative asset manager focusing on private equity, fixed income, and capital markets.
Christian Resch
Managing Director, GS Growth of Goldman Sachs
Christian Resch joined Goldman Sachs in 2004 and is a Managing Director responsible for growth equity investments. Christian typically invests between $20m and $200m of capital in individual transaction. Christian holds a Bachelor or Science from the London School of Economics and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Follow Christian Resch:
About Goldman Sachs: Goldman Sachs is a multinational financial services firm providing securities, investment banking, and management services.
Anthony Gutman
Managing Director of Goldman Sachs
Follow Anthony Gutman:
About Goldman Sachs: Goldman Sachs is a multinational financial services firm providing securities, investment banking, and management services.
Francois-Xavier (FX) de Mallmann
Managing Director- Investment Banking Division of Goldman Sachs
François-Xavier (FX) is global co-head of the Consumer Retail and Healthcare Group, and a member of the European Management Committee. FX has been global co-head of the Consumer Retail and Healthcare Group since June 2014 and was previously global co-head of the Consumer Retail Group. Prior to this, he was head of Investment Banking Services in EMEA from 2011 to 2013 and head of the Financing Group in EMEA from 2008 to 2011. FX joined Goldman Sachs in 1993 in the London office. He was named managing director in 2003 and partner in 2004. FX serves on the Board of Directors of the International Rescue Committee UK and is a member of the Young Global Leaders Network of the World Economic Forum. He graduated with distinction from Hochschule St. Gallen (lic. oec) and Community of European Management Schools in 1992.
Follow Francois-Xavier (FX) de Mallmann:
About Goldman Sachs: Goldman Sachs is a multinational financial services firm providing securities, investment banking, and management services.
Colin White
Managing Director of Goldman Sachs
Colin White is a managing director and technology fellow within the Engineering division at Goldman Sachs. Colin is global head of the Workflow group within Enterprise Platforms, a core engineering group that builds services and capabilities to decrease time to market and drive the level of standardization across workflow-based applications firm-wide.
Follow Colin White:
About Goldman Sachs: Goldman Sachs is a multinational financial services firm providing securities, investment banking, and management services.
Nestor Paz Galindo
Managing Director of UBS
Nestor Paz Galindo as managing director and head of sell-side and financial sponsors M&A for EMEA. Paz Galindo will join the bank from JP Morgan in March next year. Paz Galindo has spent all of his professional career to date at JP Morgan. He has held a range of M&A-related roles over 22 years, most recently including managing director of the bank’s European financial sponsors group.
Follow Nestor Paz Galindo:
About UBS: UBS is a global financial services company that engages in the provision of financial management solutions.
Marc Wursdorfer
Managing Director of UBS
Follow Marc Wursdorfer:
About UBS: UBS is a global financial services company that engages in the provision of financial management solutions.
Alfredo A. Marti
Managing Director of Riverstone Holdings
Mr. Marti is a Managing Director of Riverstone. He is based in London. Prior to joining Riverstone in 2008, Mr. Marti served in various leadership positions at BP plc, one of the world’s largest energy firms, including leading the organization responsible for overseeing the financial and operational performance and capital allocation of all of BP’s oil & gas exploration and production businesses worldwide. Other roles at BP included Head of Strategy for BP’s North America Gas business, General Manager of oil & gas production operations in Wyoming, USA, and Joint-Ventures Coordinator in Venezuela. Mr. Marti received his M.B.A. from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, where he was an Arjay Miller Scholar. He also holds a summa cum laude degree in Economics from Venezuela’s Andres Bello University and a Corporate Finance diploma from London Business School.
Follow Alfredo A. Marti:
About Riverstone Holdings: River Stone is a private investment firm founded in 2000.
Andy Lund
Managing Director of Riverstone Holdings
Andy joined Advent International in 2011 and is located in Advent’s London office where he focuses on research and analysis initiatives to support the Firm’s fundraising and investor relations activities. Andy was previously a Director at UBS Private Equity Funds Group where he managed several fundraising assignments for leading private equity firms. Prior to attending business school, Andy spent over ten years as a pilot in the UK Royal Air Force flying Tornado fast jets and Puma helicopters in a number of operational theatres.
Follow Andy Lund:
About Riverstone Holdings: River Stone is a private investment firm founded in 2000.
Robin Duggan
Managing Director of Riverstone Holdings
Mr. Duggan is a Managing Director of Riverstone. He is based in London. Prior to joining Riverstone in 2007, Mr. Duggan was the founder of Commodity Optimization Ventures Ltd., a business providing advice to clients in the private equity industry, including Texas Pacific Group. Before the founding of his business, Mr. Duggan served for over 17 years in various positions with subsidiaries and affiliates of BP plc, one of the world’s largest energy firms. From 2004 to 2005 Mr. Duggan was the Vice President of European Business Optimization at Innovene, BP’s olefins and derivatives subsidiary, where he was responsible for commercial activity for olefins and refining in Europe, and also oversaw Innovene’s successful separation from BP in Europe. From 1999 to 2003, Mr. Duggan held a number of senior level positions in BP’s Petrochemicals segment, including serving as the Performance Unit Leader of the Aromatics and Olefins division, Global Business Manager of the Styrene business unit, and the Planning, Performance and Strategy Manager of the Acetyls business unit. Prior to that time, Mr. Duggan held various positions in the BP’s Upstream segment in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Venezuela over a period of 10 years. Mr. Duggan currently serves on the Boards of Directors of Cuadrilla, Enviva, Origo, Patagonia, Proserv Group, ReEnergy and Velocita, and previously was the Chairman of the Board of Seajacks. Mr. Duggan holds a degree in Biochemistry from Oxford University and a Sloan Master’s of Science in Management from Stanford University.
Follow Robin Duggan:
About Riverstone Holdings: River Stone is a private investment firm founded in 2000.
Bob Brown
Managing Director of Riverstone Holdings
Mr. Brown is a Managing Director of Riverstone, focused on Limited Partner relations, fundraising, and communications. He is based in London. Prior to joining Riverstone in 2014, Mr. Brown was Managing Director and Global Head of Limited Partner Services for Advent International. Prior to Advent, he was a Managing Director at The Carlyle Group, where he focused on North American fundraising and investor relations. Mr. Brown joined Carlyle in 1999 and during his tenure there raised capital for the firm’s investment partnerships, including funds and coinvestments, and was actively involved in product development, fund formation and marketing strategy for these partnerships. Bob also served on the firm’s Investor Relations Coordinating Committee, focusing on new fund initiatives, capital formation and limited partner relationships. Prior to Carlyle, he was a Vice President in the Private Equity Group at Merrill Lynch from 1994 to 1999. There, he was responsible for raising private equity, real estate, hedge fund, co-investment capital and direct private placements for almost 100 transactions. Mr. Brown graduated with a B.A. from Southern Methodist University and has an M.B.A. from the University of Connecticut.
Follow Bob Brown:
About Riverstone Holdings: River Stone is a private investment firm founded in 2000.
Gaby Salem
Managing Director of Wharton Asset Management Company Limited
Gaby is the founder and Managing Director of Wharton Asset Management, a private London based family office specialising in private equity investment in diverse sectors including healthcare and biotechnology. Gaby has over 20 years of experience in finance and investment. He is the co-founder of Rexgenero bringing together the licence partner, the investors and management team within Rexgenero. He represents the principal shareholders and funders of Rexgenero.
Follow Gaby Salem:
About Wharton Asset Management Company Limited: Wharton Asset Management is an investment management company.
Farhan Lalji
Managing Director of Anthemis Group
Farhan is a Director in the Venture Partnerships team at Anthemis. Previously a Partner and MD of Rokk3r Labs, a global venture builder, Farhan worked with corporates and startups on starting new companies and building products. Farhan has also been an executive at PeerIndex, a social media analytics platform that was acquired by Brandwatch in 2014, Yahoo! and various other start ups and later stage private companies. He is an entrepreneur in residence at King’s College London and a part-time lecturer at London Business School on managing in digital organisations. Farhan holds an undergraduate degree from McMaster University in Canada and an MBA from London Business School. When he’s not geeking out on technology trends and their impact on society he’s watching or reading about NBA basketball.
Follow Farhan Lalji:
About Anthemis Group, Rokk3r: Anthemis Group is a global platform that cultivates change in the financial system by investing in, growing, and sustaining businesses.
Iason Nikolakis
Managing Director, Investments of Anthemis Group
Iason Nikolakis is a bright and industrious fin-tech enthusiast, who has developed a valuable mix of client relationship and analytical skills. At Anthemis, he is deeply involved in a range of projects, from strategic advisory to executing M&A transactions. Prior to this, he acted as Assistant Trader at the Foreign Exchange and Derivatives desks at the Treasury of the National Bank of Greece, the oldest and largest financial group in the country. Iason received a B.Sc in Economics from University of Ioannina and a MSc in Investment Management from Cass Business School. He speaks Greek, English, Spanish and French. He is passionate about football and would one day like to go on an extended tour of Latin America.
Follow Iason Nikolakis:
About Anthemis Group: Anthemis Group is a global platform that cultivates change in the financial system by investing in, growing, and sustaining businesses.
Abdul Guefor
Managing Director of Intel Capital
Abdul leads Intel Capital’s investment activities in EMEA from London. Investment focus areas include all areas of deep technology including software, AI, transportation, IoT, wireless and the data economy. His recent investments include Aledia, Polystream, Prophesee and what3words. He also represents Intel Capital on the boards of Ozon and Sigfox. Abdul’s exits include CSR, centrum.cz, Epichem, Fortumo, IMS, Mango Telecom, ProGlove and Wirtualna Polska. Before rejoining Intel Capital in 2015, Abdul served as Intel’s Assistant Treasurer from 2010 until 2015, leading the execution of fixed income investments, FX trades and cash management in EMEA. Abdul first joined Intel Capital in 1999. Before Intel, Abdul spent 7 years with PwC Corporate Finance, was a design engineer with Plessey Semiconductors and a robotics researcher with Ikerlán in Spain. Abdul is a UK-qualified Chartered Accountant and holds an honours degree in Electronic Engineering.
Follow Abdul Guefor:
About Intel Capital: Intel Capital invests in innovative startups targeting cloud and AI infrastructure, cybersecurity, and other disruptive technologies.
Karim Saddi
Managing Director of TowerBrook Capital Partners
Karim Saddi is a Managing Director of TowerBrook. He was previously a member and subsequently a partner at Soros Private Equity. He was a member of the Mergers, Acquisitions and Restructurings department of Morgan Stanley Dean Witter in London and Los Angeles. He earned his B.S. from École des Hautes Études Commerciales (H.E.C.), Paris, France.
Follow Karim Saddi:
About TowerBrook Capital Partners, TowerBrook Capital Partners: TowerBrook Capital Partners is a London-based investment management firm that funds European and North American companies.
Winston Ginsberg
Managing Director of TowerBrook Capital Partners
Winston Ginsberg is a Managing Director of TowerBrook. Prior to joining TowerBrook, he was a General Partner and co-founder of Elwin Capital Partners. During that time he was also a founder and Executive Chairman of OfficeTiger, one of the world’s largest outsourcing companies. He was a member of the Principal Investment Area and the Mergers & Acquisitions department of Goldman Sachs in London and New York. Prior to Goldman Sachs, he was a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions department of Lazard Frères & Co. in New York. He earned his M.A. from Pembroke College, Cambridge and received his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Follow Winston Ginsberg:
About TowerBrook Capital Partners: TowerBrook Capital Partners is a London-based investment management firm that funds European and North American companies.
Filippo Cardini
Managing Director, COO and General Counsel of TowerBrook Capital Partners
Filippo Cardini is COO, General Counsel and a Managing Director of TowerBrook. He is a member of the Management Committee as well as being responsible for investor relations for the firm. He was previously a Partner, COO and General Counsel at Soros Private Equity. He focuses on the Italian market and is extensively involved in structuring and executing all of TowerBrook’s transactions. Previously, he was a senior solicitor at the London-based law firm, Ashursts, in the Private Equity Group in London and Milan. He earned his LLB from Brunel University and completed his Law Society Finals at the College of Law in London. He holds the Series 7, 24, 63, 79 and 99 licenses.
Follow Filippo Cardini:
About TowerBrook Capital Partners: TowerBrook Capital Partners is a London-based investment management firm that funds European and North American companies.
Gordon Holmes
Managing Director of TowerBrook Capital Partners
Gordon Holmes is a Managing Director of TowerBrook. Prior to joining TowerBrook in 2010, he was a Managing Principal at Quadrangle Group, where he headed the firm’s London office. He was previously a General Partner at Forstmann Little & Co., and he began his career at Goldman Sachs, where he worked in the firm’s London, New York and Singapore offices. He earned his B.C.L. from University College Dublin in 1990 and received his M.B.A. from Stanford Business School in 1995
Follow Gordon Holmes:
About TowerBrook Capital Partners, TowerBrook Capital Partners: TowerBrook Capital Partners is a London-based investment management firm that funds European and North American companies.
Ron van Loo
Managing Director of TowerBrook Capital Partners
Previously, Ron Van Loo worked in operations management consulting, as a Director at AlixPartners in the Enterprise Improvement practice, and at EY in the Operational Transaction Services practice. Prior to that, he worked in various corporate line management roles including over 10 years in Asia whilst at Michelin, most latterly as manufacturing supply chain Director for the Asia-Pacific region. He earned his M.A. in Accounting and Financial Management from Institut Supérieur de Gestion in Paris and his Executive M.B.A. from TRIUM, where he studied at NYU Stern School of Business, the London School of Economics, and École des Hautes Études Commerciales (H.E.C.), Paris.
Follow Ron van Loo:
About TowerBrook Capital Partners: TowerBrook Capital Partners is a London-based investment management firm that funds European and North American companies.
Nicolas Chavanne
Managing Director of TowerBrook Capital Partners
Nicolas Chavanne is a Senior Principal at TowerBrook. Previously, he was a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions department of Greenhill in London. He graduated from Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris (E.S.C.P.) in 2000.
Follow Nicolas Chavanne:
About TowerBrook Capital Partners: TowerBrook Capital Partners is a London-based investment management firm that funds European and North American companies.
Jose Arellano
Managing Director of TowerBrook Capital Partners
Jose Arellano is a Principal at TowerBrook. Previously, he was an Associate of the Mergers & Acquisitions department, focused on the Financial Institutions industry, at Merrill Lynch in London. He graduated in Business Administration from ICADE (Madrid).
Follow Jose Arellano:
About TowerBrook Capital Partners: TowerBrook Capital Partners is a London-based investment management firm that funds European and North American companies.
Josh Critchley
Managing Director of RBC Venture Partners
Follow Josh Critchley:
About RBC Venture Partners: RBC Venture Partners invests venture capital and growth equity on behalf of the Royal Bank of Canada.
Suzanne Heywood
Managing Director of EXOR N.V.
Appointed as a non-executive director in November 2015. Managing director, Exor Group and trustee of the Royal Opera House, Royal Academy of Arts and the Royal Academy of Music.
Follow Suzanne Heywood:
About CNH Industrial, EXOR N.V.: EXOR is a diversified holding company that makes long-term investments focused on global companies in diversified sectors.
Francesco Casiraghi
Managing Director of Advent International
Francesco Casiraghi joined Advent in 2007. In addition to managing Advent’s coverage of the Italian market, he is a member of the Industrial team. Prior to Advent, Francesco was at Merrill Lynch, where he worked for five years on the investment banking team in their London, Hong Kong, Rome and Milan offices. Prior to Merrill Lynch, he worked at Procter & Gamble as a process engineer. Francesco holds an MA in Industrial Engineering from Parma University. Francesco has worked on Advent’s investments in Circet, Laird Limited and Nexi.
Follow Francesco Casiraghi:
About Advent International: Advent International is a global private equity firm that invests in the business and financial services.
Ajay Chowdhury
Managing Director and Senior Partner. Regional Chair: Western Europe, South America, Africa of BCG Digital Ventures
Ajay Chowdhury is a Managing Director and Partner at BCG Digital Ventures.
Follow Ajay Chowdhury:
About Acacia Capital Partners, BCG Digital Ventures, Cambridge Enterprise, EnActe Arts, Inc., MachineMax, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art: BCG Digital Ventures is a corporate investment and incubation firm.
Patrick Rouvillois
Partner & Managing Director of BCG Digital Ventures
Follow Patrick Rouvillois:
About BCG Digital Ventures: BCG Digital Ventures is a corporate investment and incubation firm.
Charles Miller-Jones
Managing Director, London of OMERS Private Equity
Charles is a Managing Director in the London office of OMERS Private Equity, having joined the team in September 2017. He is part of the investment team focusing on direct investments in Europe. He was involved in the acquisition of Alexander Mann Solutions in 2018, and is now a non-executive board director with that asset. Before joining OMERS, Charles spent 12 years at Cinven, where he was involved in a range of private equity transactions and investments, including Smurfit Kappa, PizzaExpress, Gala Coral, CPA Global and Kurt Geiger. Charles has an MA (Cantab) in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University.
Follow Charles Miller-Jones:
About OMERS Private Equity: OMERS Private Equity has been making private equity investments for OMERS, one of Canada’s largest plans with in excess of $50 billion of
Orla Ralston
Managing Director, Investment Tax, London of OMERS Private Equity
Orla is Managing Director, Investment Tax in the London office, advising the Infrastructure and Private Equity investment teams in relation to the tax and structuring aspects of their transactions across Europe. Orla joined OMERS in July 2016. Prior to joining OMERS, Orla spent 11 years at Goldman Sachs, working alongside the Merchant Banking Division on their European investments in real estate, infrastructure, debt and equity. Orla was previously a tax associate at Slaughter and May, from 1998 until 2005. Orla holds a joint honours degree (LLB) in Law & Accountancy from Queen’s University Belfast and is qualified as a solicitor in Northern Ireland, and in England and Wales.
Follow Orla Ralston:
About OMERS Private Equity: OMERS Private Equity has been making private equity investments for OMERS, one of Canada’s largest plans with in excess of $50 billion of
Isabelle Pagnotta
Managing Director, London of OMERS Private Equity
Isabelle is Managing Director at OMERS Private Equity Europe, based in London. She leads sourcing, execution and portfolio management of private equity investments in Europe, and is responsible for the origination of deals in France. Since joining in 2012, Isabelle has been involved in OMERS Private Equity’s investments in V. Group, Civica, ERM and Trescal, and has served as Director of Civica and Trescal. Before joining OMERS Private Equity, Isabelle worked at Bridgepoint for four years, and Arcapita for six years, where she assessed and invested in businesses across a range of sectors in both the U.K. and France. Isabelle received a Master’s in Management and a Diplome de Grande Ecole, both from ESCP Europe.
Follow Isabelle Pagnotta:
About OMERS Private Equity: OMERS Private Equity has been making private equity investments for OMERS, one of Canada’s largest plans with in excess of $50 billion of
Jonathan Mussellwhite
Senior Managing Director and Head of Europe of OMERS Private Equity
Follow Jonathan Mussellwhite:
About OMERS Private Equity: OMERS Private Equity has been making private equity investments for OMERS, one of Canada’s largest plans with in excess of $50 billion of
George McDonaugh
Co-Founder, CEO and Managing Director of KR1 plc
I’ve been involved in blockchain technology since 2011. Before then I was an advertising copywriter for London based agencies. I have a masters degree in Anthropology and a further degree in Creative Advertising. I helped form one of London’s most popular blockchain meetups and co-founded kr1 in early 2016 and as such it become the first token focussed investment company in the world. We have the longest track record in the space and a global network of funds, developers and investors.
Follow George McDonaugh:
About KR1 plc: KR1 plc (KR1:AQSE) is Europe’s leading digital asset investment company focused on decentralised and open-source blockchain networks.
Keld van Schreven
Co-Founder and Managing Director of KR1 plc
Keld is cofounder of KR1 UKs leading crypto investment public company. First investors in Melonport, Funfair, Rocketpool and Etherisc. Keld is advisor to IXLedger and previously cofounder of several web startups since 1995. www.kryptonite1.co
Follow Keld van Schreven:
About KR1 plc, MAMA: KR1 plc (KR1:AQSE) is Europe’s leading digital asset investment company focused on decentralised and open-source blockchain networks.
Sarah Verity-Thomas
Managing Director of Cinven
Sarah is a member of the Investor Relations and Fundraising team and is responsible for Cinven’s client services on behalf of our Limited Partners. Previously, Sarah worked as a Manager in the Private Equity Transaction Services group at KPMG, advising private equity clients on M&A and restructuring deals across a range of sectors. Prior to this, Sarah spent four years with Arthur Andersen, where she worked in the Private Equity Tax group and gained her Chartered Accountancy qualification. Sarah holds an MA in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University. She joined Cinven in 2005.
Follow Sarah Verity-Thomas:
About Cinven: Cinven is an international private equity firm focused on building world-class global companies.
Tarek Bayazid
Managing Director of Cinven
Tarek is a member of the Investor Relations and Fundraising team. Previously Tarek worked as a Vice President in the Alternative Assets Group at Citigroup, advising private equity clients with a broad range of products, including M&A advisory, leveraged finance and private equity fundraising. Tarek holds an MSc in Communications and a BA in History from Boston College. He joined Cinven in 2014.
Follow Tarek Bayazid:
About Cinven: Cinven is an international private equity firm focused on building world-class global companies.
Lindsay Sharma
Managing Director of Industry Ventures
Lindsay focuses on originating and valuing the firm’s secondary investments. Prior to Industry Ventures, Lindsay was a Principal in corporate strategy and development at Intuit, leading merger and acquisition activities for the company. Prior to Intuit, Lindsay developed private equity and investment banking industry expertise with Great Hill Partners and Bear Stearns. Lindsay received her MBA from Harvard Business School and a BS in business administration in finance and accounting from Indiana University.
Follow Lindsay Sharma:
About Industry Ventures: Industry Ventures is an investment firm that makes venture capital investments and manages over $3.5 billion of institutional capital.
Ajit Nedungadi
Managing Director & CEO of TA Associates
Ajit Heads TA’s Europe Group and focuses on investments in companies in Europe, India and other emerging markets. He is also the member of TA Associates’ Executive Committee.
Follow Ajit Nedungadi:
About AVG Technologies, Dr Lal PathLabs, TA Associates: TA Associates is one of the private equity firms in the world.
Managing Director, Co-Head European Technology Group of TA Associates
Follow Naveen Wadhera:
About TA Associates, TA Associates: TA Associates is one of the private equity firms in the world.
Luca Bassi
Managing Director of Bain Capital
Luca Bassi is the Managing Director at Bain Capital.
Follow Luca Bassi:
About Bain Capital: Bain Capital is a global alternative investment firm specializes in private equity, venture capital, and credit products.
Christophe Jacobs van Merlen
Managing Director of Bain Capital
Christophe Jacobs van Merlen is the Managing Director at Bain Capital.
Follow Christophe Jacobs van Merlen:
About Bain Capital: Bain Capital is a global alternative investment firm specializes in private equity, venture capital, and credit products.
Nigel Walder
Managing Director of Bain Capital
Mr. Walder joined Bain Capital Private Equity in 2015. He is a Managing Director in the Consumer, Retail & Dining Vertical and a member of the European Private Equity team. He also leads our European capital markets activity and is a member of the recruiting team. Prior to joining Bain Capital Private Equity, Mr. Walder was an investment banker with J.P. Morgan. He occupied a variety of positions in London & Hong Kong, and most recently was a senior Managing Director in the European leveraged finance business. Mr. Walder received a BA (Hons) from Oxford University.
Follow Nigel Walder:
About Bain Capital: Bain Capital is a global alternative investment firm specializes in private equity, venture capital, and credit products.
Charles Lorenceau
Managing Director of ACE & Company
Managing Director at ACE & Company.
Follow Charles Lorenceau:
About ACE & Company, iNca Energy, Leap Smoothies, YouFoot: ACE & Company (“ACE”), founded in 2005, is a global investment management platform.
Jerome Brassart
Managing Director of Perella Weinberg Partners
Follow Jerome Brassart:
About Perella Weinberg Partners: Perella Weinberg Partners is a privately-owned financial services firm that provides corporate advisory and asset management services.
Romain Lanier
Managing Director of Perella Weinberg Partners
Follow Romain Lanier:
About Perella Weinberg Partners: Perella Weinberg Partners is a privately-owned financial services firm that provides corporate advisory and asset management services.
Olivier Garel
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Unilever Ventures
M&A professional, Olivier has led a large number of transformative acquisition and divestment transactions for Unilever in different parts of the world. Over the last 20 years in Unilever, he has held senior positions in finance, strategy and business development. Olivier leads Unilever Ventures Investment Committee and manages relationships with a number of Corporate and Venture Capital funds and Private Equity funds around the world. He is currently a Board Director of Iluminage Beauty, Yummly, REN and ioma.
Follow Olivier Garel:
About Unilever Ventures: Unilever Ventures is the venture capital arm of Unilever and invests in fast growing companies across consumer and enterprise technology.
Jerome Nomme
Managing Director of Sun Capital Partners
Jerome Nomme, Managing Director, prior to joining Sun European Partners, Mr Nomme was a Partner at Ernst & Young Corporate Finance in Paris where he was working primarily on mid-market buy-side and sell-side M&A engagements. Prior to joining EYCF, he had gained experience within the Arthur Andersen Corporate Finance teams of Paris and New York. Mr. Nomme holds a dual MBA from Columbia Business School and London Business School and is a registered Chartered Financial Analyst.
Follow Jerome Nomme:
About Sun Capital Partners: Sun Capital Partners is a private investment firm
Lionel de Posson
Managing Director of Sun Capital Partners
Lionel de Posson, Managing Director, joined Sun European Partners in 2006, having served as an Analyst with JPMorgan in the Mergers & Acquisitions – Consumer, Retail, and Healthcare team in London for two years and the French Mergers & Acquisitions team in Paris for one year. During that time he lectured on corporate finance at ESCP-EAP Business School. Prior to joining JPMorgan, Mr de Posson worked with Goldman Sachs in the Fixed Income, Currency, and Commodities division and with Deutsche Bank Asset Management in London. He received a Candidature in Economics from the Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium, a Master of Science in Management and Finance from ESCP-EAP, Paris, and a Master of Science in International Management from City University Business School, London.
Follow Lionel de Posson:
About Sun Capital Partners: Sun Capital Partners is a private investment firm
Yann Souillard
Managing Director, South of LDC
Yann joined LDC in 2004 and became Managing Director of LDC’s Reading office in July 2011, adding London to his responsibilities in 2017. Previous roles include seven years at Barclays Leveraged Finance where he was involved in over 50 MBOs as a Director on the Senior Debt team before setting up and running the Mezzanine Team. Prior to this Yann was a currency trader in New York. While at LDC Yann has been on the board of a number of Services and Technology focused companies – Clifford Thames, Microlease, Property Software Group, Connect Managed Services, Motorclean, Airclaims and Ascend. He currently sits on the boards of Right Choice Insurance Brokers, EDM, Equiom and ByBox.
Follow Yann Souillard:
About LDC: LDC is a private equity company which provides funds for buyouts and development capital transactions in UK unquoted companies.
Craig MacDonald
Managing Director of HarbourVest Partners
Craig MacDonald joined HarbourVest in 2005 as an associate on the direct investment team and transferred to HarbourVest’s London-based subsidiary in 2009. He became a vice president in 2011. He focuses on originating, evaluating, and executing direct investments in growth equity and buyout transactions, primarily in Europe and has worked on investments including Flexera Software, Paris Re, Photobox, Sepaton, and Xpressdocs. Craig joined the Firm from Morgan Stanley in New York where he was an analyst focusing on consumer finance. Craig’s prior experience also includes investment banking analyst positions with Citigroup Global Markets in New York and London.
Follow Craig MacDonald:
About HarbourVest Partners: HarbourVest is an independent investment firm that provides innovative private equity solutions to institutional clients worldwide.
Edward Holdsworth
Managing Director of HarbourVest Partners
Edward Holdsworth joined HarbourVest’s London-based subsidiary in 2011 to focus on European secondary investments. Edward joined HarbourVest after five years with Matrix Private Funds Group in London, where he was a partner responsible for fund origination and placement across Europe. Prior to that, Edward was an executive at UBS Investment Bank in London in the equities department working in the Exotic Structured Derivatives Group. Additionally, Edward worked for Swiss Re and Ernst and Young LLP in the Banking and Capital Markets Group in London.
Follow Edward Holdsworth:
About HarbourVest Partners: HarbourVest is an independent investment firm that provides innovative private equity solutions to institutional clients worldwide.
Martin Mellish
Managing Director of Aspen Advisory Services
Martin Mellish is founding director of Aspen Advisory Services Ltd., a London-based private investment office overseeing private and publicly traded investments in North America, Europe, and Asia. From 1984 to 1992 he was CFO of an industrial holding company with offices in North America, Asia, and the Middle East, having trained at Price Waterhouse Coopers. Martin is a Certified Public Accountant (Mass.) and a member of the American Institute of CPAs. He holds an SM (Management) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where his thesis focused on the divergent interests of management and shareholders during corporate bankruptcy. He also holds an M.Sc. in Accounting from Northeastern University. Martin currently serves on the boards of Romanian Reconstruction Capital Ltd., and Omnicyte Ltd., and on the investment committees of Pi Capital (U.K.) and The Salzburg Seminar (U.S.A./Austria).
Follow Martin Mellish:
About Aspen Advisory Services: Aspen Advisory Services is a London-based private investment office overseeing private and publicly traded investments in North America.
Pramod Vijayasankar
Managing Director, Head of Infrastructure Industry Coverage of Standard Chartered Bank
Follow Pramod Vijayasankar:
About Standard Chartered Bank: Standard Chartered Bank is an international banking group.
Christopher Crozier
Chief Risk Officer and Managing Director of Permira
Christopher is the Chief Risk Officer of Permira. He focuses on improving and standardising Permira’s risk management function globally. His role covers key areas including reputation, conflicts, compliance, litigation and regulatory matters. Christopher is a member of the ESG group. Prior to joining Permira as a Principal in 2008, Christopher was the Chief Administrative Officer for Emerging Markets (EMEA) at Morgan Stanley, where he was responsible for a number of compliance and risk matters, including helping the firm establish its Middle East offices. Before that, he practised law at Freshfields and Simpson Thacher.
Follow Christopher Crozier:
About Permira: Permira is a global growth obsessed private capital investor.
Andrew Wynn
Founder & Managing Director of Perwyn
Andrew is the founder and Managing Partner at Perwyn, where he is responsible for all Private Equity and PIF investments. He started his investment banking career at Lazard, and prior to Perwyn worked at CCMP Capital (formerly JPMorgan Partners), where he worked on mid-market Private Equity deals. In his spare time Andrew enjoys outdoor sports, particularly cycling, running and skiing, as well as spending time with his young family.
Follow Andrew Wynn:
About Perwyn: Perwyn is an entrepreneurial, privately-funded investment firm.
Andrew Wolfson
Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Pembroke VCT
Andrew Wolfson is Pembroke’s Managing Director and is responsible for executing the firm’s strategy, leading the investment team, deal origination and supporting portfolio companies. Andrew sits on the board of a number of Pembroke’s investments. Prior to becoming Managing Director of Pembroke, Andrew worked with a number Oakley’s small company portfolio companies including KX, Tom Aikens and James Perse. Before joining Oakley, Andrew ran a number of businesses working across a breadth of sectors from hospitality to manufacturing and telecoms. Andrew is also a director of Benesco Charity Limited, and a trustee of The Charles Wolfson Charitable Trust.
Follow Andrew Wolfson:
About Pembroke VCT: Pembroke is a venture capital trust focusing on growth stage companies in the health and fitness, apparel, media, and technology sectors.
Claire Cherry
Investment Partner/UK Director of Social Starts
Claire covers the consumer sector across Europe and the US. Prior to Social Starts, she ran the seed and pre-seed consumer fund at True, backing businesses across beauty, femtech, sexual wellness, mental health, and many more. With almost a decade of experience in venture, Claire is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs breaking new ground. Outside of investing, she can be found hiking the cliffs of Guernsey with her dog, or attempting to grow vegetables (sometimes successfully) in her garden.
Follow Claire Cherry:
About Social Starts: Social Starts is a set of early-stage venture funds that uses analytics to uncover and invest in the strongest companies in the strongest segments. Based on a uniquely data-driven methodology, Social Starts has discovered and backed companies with huge value in e-commerce, employment platforms, digital brands, next-generation food, and education. The current fund, “Social Starts Health and Happiness,” focuses on startups that help people live longer, live better, or both.
Megumi Ikeda
Managing Director, Europe of Hearst Ventures
Megumi Ikeda is the managing director of Hearst Ventures and the general manager of Hearst Ventures Europe, where she oversees investments and non-organic acquisitions across Europe. She is based in London. Ikeda previously ran the European arm of the Peacock Equity Fund, GE Capital and NBCUniversal’s $250MM venture fund. Previously, she worked in corporate M&A and distribution deals at NBCUniversal. Ikeda started her career in Tokyo as a reporter for Dow Jones and an international business manager at Wired in San Francisco. Ikeda received her undergraduate degree from Columbia College, Columbia University and earned her MBA at UCLA’s The Anderson School.
Follow Megumi Ikeda:
About Hearst Ventures: Hearst Ventures, a corporate venture fund, invests in early-stage information, software and technologycompanies
Rohit Dhote
Managing Director of Bridgepoint
Follow Rohit Dhote:
About Bridgepoint: Bridgepoint is an international alternative asset fund management firm offering private equity and private debt lending solutions.
Hillel Zidel
Managing Director, London of Kennet Partners
Hillel works closely with the management teams of European technology companies to exploit growth opportunities such as addressing new market segments and geographies. Hillel joined Kennet as a Director from ETV Capital, where he undertook numerous transactions providing hybrid debt and equity-based capital to technology companies across Europe & the US. Prior to this Hillel worked as a Management Consultant at KPMG, advising clients on strategic, performance management and regulatory issues. Earlier, Hillel worked in Corporate Development at two internet businesses in South Africa. Hillel is a board member of SaaS based bookkeeping automation vendor Receipt Bank, mobile video language learning platform ABA English, SaaS based accounts receivable automation company Rimilia, mobile market research and analytics company RealityMine, advertising technology provider Adikteev (through the acquisition of Trademob), and online mass customisation provider Spreadshirt. Hillel was previously on the board of Rivo Software which was acquired by Sphera Solutions. Hillel is a CFA Charterholder. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Law from the University of South Africa, an Honours Degree in Economics and a Masters Degree in Economics (cum laude) from the University of Johannesburg.
Follow Hillel Zidel:
About Kennet Partners, RealityMine, Spread Group: Kennet Partners is a private equity investment firm that provides growth capital to information technology and business services companies.
Michael Elias
Managing Director, London of Kennet Partners
Michael has been at the forefront of the development of European technology private equity as it grew from a fledgling niche into the multi-billion dollar market it is today. He has been a member of the Executive Committee of the European Venture Capital Association (EVCA) and chaired its Venture Capital Committee from 2002 to 2006. Michael also led Kennet’s investment in Paragon Software (acquired by Openwave), Altitun (acquired by ADC Telecommunications), No Wires Needed (acquired by Intersil), Monis (acquired by Sungard Data Systems), and Ubizen (acquired by Cybertrust). Michael founded Kennet in 1997. Earlier, he was responsible for establishing the international operations of Thompson Clive & Partners in California and Paris. Michael holds a B.A. with highest honours from Harvard University, and received an M.Sc. from Cambridge University where he was a Marshall Scholar. Born in the United States, Michael has lived in several European countries and speaks fluent French.
Follow Michael Elias:
About Kennet Partners, Next Performance: Kennet Partners is a private equity investment firm that provides growth capital to information technology and business services companies.
Marco Castelli
Managing Director of BC Partners
Marco Castelli initially joined BC Partners in Milan in 2006, left to attend his MBA in 2009 and re-joined in London in 2011. Previously, Marco spent two years as a management consultant at Bain & Company in Milan where he focused on strategy and mergers and acquisitions related assignments. Marco holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a degree in Business Administration from the Bocconi University in Milan.
Follow Marco Castelli:
About BC Partners: BC Partners is an international alternative investment firm focused private equity, credit, real estate, and investment strategies.
Laurian Douin
Managing Director, Real Estate of BC Partners
Laurian Douin joined BCP Real Estate in London in 2018. Previously, Laurian spent 12 years at Altarea Cogedim, a French listed multi-format real estate development and property company, most recently as a Managing Director with responsibility for office investments, member of the group executive committee and CEO of AltaFund, a €650m private equity real estate fund. Before that, he was head of Altarea Cogedim group corporate finance for 4 years until 2009, in charge of corporate development, international expansion and bank financing. Prior to Altarea Cogedim, Laurian was Director at PwC Real Estate Corporate Finance, which he joined in 2004, and previously, Manager at Andersen Real Estate Corporate Finance where he started in 1998, with a focus on M&A, financial advisory and valuation services in the real estate sector. Laurian holds a Masters in Management and MSc with a major in Finance from EDHEC.
Follow Laurian Douin:
About BC Partners: BC Partners is an international alternative investment firm focused private equity, credit, real estate, and investment strategies.
Julian Carter
Founding Partner & Managing Director of EC1 Capital
Julian Carter is a Co-Founder and Managing Director of EC1 Capital. Julian is a hands-on entrepreneur and experienced executive with over 20 years of working in web-related companies in verticals such as Casual Social Games, Interactive TV, Mobile, Classifieds Publishing, SEO and Legacy Software Modernisation in the UK and Ireland. Julian currently sits on the board of WeSwap, User Replay, Glean.in, Truly Experiences, CitySocializer, LoyaltyLion, Hypaship, Tailster, Big Data For Humans and HandsHQ.
Follow Julian Carter:
About Big Data for Humans, EC1 Capital: EC1 Capital is a technology investment fund that offers seed, post seed, and Series A participation in web and mobile startups.
Brian Graves
Managing Director (Acting) of Imperial Innovations
Brian joined the Group in 2001 as head of the Engineering Technology Transfer team having previously gained over 20 years’ experience in business development, product development and marketing in the engineering industry with John Crane Limited, a division of Smiths Group plc.
Follow Brian Graves:
About Imperial Innovations: Imperial Innovations is a technology commercialization and venture capital investor that focuses on technology.
Petri Vainio
Managing Director of Essex Woodlands Healthcare Partners
Petri Vainio, M.D., Ph.D. has 25 years of experience as an investor in rapidly growing healthcare companies. Petri Vainio spent more than 10 years as a General Partner of Sierra Ventures, one of Silicon Valley’s leading venture capital firms with over $1 billion under management. While at Sierra, Petri Vainio was a General Partner in five successive funds and led their healthcare investment practice. Petri Vainio has been a lead investor in numerous successful healthcare companies in all sectors of healthcare, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices and healthcare services. He has served on the board of directors of over 20 private and public healthcare companies and has helped these companies raise over $1billion in financing and reach a combined market value of over $30 billion. Petri Vainio sits on the Board of Directors of Molecular Partners. Petri Vainio holds a Doctor of Medicine and a Doctor of Philosophy in biochemistry from the University of Helsinki, and a Masters in Business Administration from Stanford University. Petri Vainio joined Essex Woodlands as Managing Director in the London office in 2004.
Follow Petri Vainio:
About Essex Woodlands Healthcare Partners: Essex Woodlands is a healthcare growth equity and venture capital firm.
Jamie M. Weinstein
Managing Director of PIMCO
Jamie M. Weinstein (San Francisco) joined KKR in 2005 and is the Co-Head of special situations investing, which includes the firm’s global activities in public and private distressed and structured principal investments. He is also a member of the Credit Portfolio Management Committee and the Real Estate Investment Committee. Previously, he was a portfolio manager with responsibility across KKR’s credit strategies. He also has extensive experience as a research analyst managing the financial services, healthcare and commercial real estate sectors. Prior to joining KKR, Jamie Weinstein was with Tishman Speyer Properties as Director of Acquisitions for Northern California and The Boston Consulting Group as a strategy consultant. He received a B.S.E. degree cum laude in Civil Engineering and Operations Research from Princeton University and a M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where he was an Arjay Miller Scholar. Jamie Weinstein serves as a Trustee of the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco and is actively involved in the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco on its Endowment Investment Committee and Capital Planning Committee.
Follow Jamie M. Weinstein:
About PIMCO: PIMCO, a global investment solutions provider that manages investments for public and private pension and retirement plans and other assets.
Ilian Iliev
Managing Director of EMV Capital
Dr. Ilian Iliev is Managing Director of EMV Capital (EMVC) where he also leads the investment advisory team. Ilian spun-out EMV Capital out of EcoMachines Ventures, which was founded in 2013. Prior to that he co-founded and was CEO of CambridgeIP Ltd (2006-2012), which he built into a leading market and technology business intelligence provider in the UK (partial exit through sale of data & software business to multi-billion US investment fund). In the late 1990s, he co-founded and led 100-person family business in Southern Africa in the electrical industry, with a focus on turnkey industrial installations. He is a Board member at a number of EMVC portfolio companies, including Pointgrab and Q-Bot. Ilian holds a PhD from Cambridge University’s Judge Business School, focused on Venture Capital business models in emerging economies; MCom in Economics, and BA in Politics, Economics and International Relations from the University of Witwatersrand, where he was voted Best Political Science Student in South Africa in 1997. He has published widely on issues in the energy, innovation finance and entrepreneurship. He is an Associate Fellow at Chatham House, focused on energy and resource efficiency. Ilian leads the investment advisory team at EMVC.
Follow Ilian Iliev:
About EMV Capital, NetScientific: EMV Capital Ltd (EMVC) is a London-based pan-European investor focused on B2B companies in the industrial high-tech.
Lana Ghanem
Founder & Managing Director of Hikma Ventures
Lana is managing director at Hikma Ventures which she helped establish in 2015. Lana started her career at Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC in 2012 as the Assistant to the CEO and Director of Corporate Strategy & Development where she worked on strategic projects across the company’s various functions including strategy, M&A, operations and finance. Prior to joining Hikma, Lana worked as a Financial Analyst in the Mergers and Acquisitions department at Dresdner Kleinwort Investment Bank in London where she worked on transactions for clients across multiple industries. Lana holds an MBA from Harvard Business School (HBS) and a Bachelors of Commerce degree from McGill University.
Follow Lana Ghanem:
About Hikma Ventures: Hikma Ventures operates as the corporate venture capital arm of Hikma Pharmaceuticals.
John O’Neill
Managing Director of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
Follow John O’Neill:
About Levine Leichtman Capital Partners: Levine Leichtman Capital Partners is a private equity and venture capital firm.
Josh Kaufman
Managing Director of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners
Follow Josh Kaufman:
About Levine Leichtman Capital Partners: Levine Leichtman Capital Partners is a private equity and venture capital firm.
Jonathan Tobin
Managing Director of Arix Bioscience
Jonathan specialises in therapeutics and diagnostics investments and has a background in medical research and drug discovery. Prior to joining Imperial Innovations he worked at MRC Technology, sourcing and evaluating new opportunities for small molecule and antibody drug discovery worldwide. He has a PhD in molecular medicine from UCL, and undertook post-doctoral research at the Cancer Research UK LRI. He has published in journals including New England Journal of Medicine, Nature Genetics, and PNAS. Jonathan has a First Class degree in Biological Science from Oxford University and an MBA with Distinction from Imperial College.
Follow Jonathan Tobin:
About Arix Bioscience: Arix Bioscience is a healthcare and life science company.
Chris Huey
Managing Director of NEON Adventures
Follow Chris Huey:
About NEON Adventures, Paws: NEON Adventures is a single family office with interests across technology, property, lifestyle and philanthropy.
Doug Trafelet
Managing Director of PitchBook
Follow Doug Trafelet:
About PitchBook: PitchBook provides comprehensive M&A, private equity, and venture capital data, as well as daily industry news and analysis.
Jon Lerner
Managing Director of Smedvig Capital
Jon Lerner is a Managing Director at Smedvig Capital, which he joined in 2008 from Bain & Company. Prior to Smedvig Capital Jon worked at Bain and Company as a Senior Consultant supporting FTSE 100 management teams in the oil and gas, petrochemicals, financial services and consumer products sectors. Jon has also spent 6 months working in house at Argos on multi channel strategy and product expansion. Jon splits his time between finding fast growing businesses in the UK / Nordics and closely supporting two of our portfolio companies, Mediamorph and Tusker, and was previously an advisor to Selstor. Jon has a first class MEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering with French from Bristol University.
Follow Jon Lerner:
About Captify, Infinity, Masabi, Poq, Smedvig Capital, The Smart Cube, Whip Media: 25 years of supporting ambitious founders from Series A to exit.
Sophia Damianou
Managing Director of Northleaf Capital Partners
Sophia is responsible for Northleaf’s business development activities in Europe, working closely with existing and prospective investors and investment consultants to design, develop and monitor their private markets portfolios. Prior to joining Northleaf in 2019, Sophia was Director of Marketing at CapeView Capital where she had global sales coverage responsibility across all of CapeView’s products. Previously, Sophia was Vice President – EMEA Business Development for Mesirow Financial International where she was responsible for business development strategy for new markets in the EMEA region. Sophia began her career as an Associate on the Capital Introductions team at Credit Suisse. Sophia holds a B.Sc. from University College London, an M.Sc., Law and Economics, from the London School of Economics and an MBA, Finance from Columbia Business School.
Follow Sophia Damianou:
About Northleaf Capital Partners: Northleaf Capital Partners is private equity firm that manages pension plans, endowments, foundations, financial institutions accounts.
David Ross
Managing Director of Northleaf Capital Partners
David is head of Northleaf’s private credit program and a member of the Investment Committees for Northleaf’s private credit and private equity programs. He oversees all aspects of Northleaf’s private credit investment activities, with a focus on the origination, evaluation and monitoring of private credit investments globally. In addition, he is involved in Northleaf’s investor relations and business development activities. Prior to joining Northleaf, David was at Bain Capital Credit, a leading global credit specialist, as a Managing Director, Global Head of Sourcing and a member of Bain Capital’s Opportunistic Credit and Private Credit team. Previously, David served as the Co-Head of Bain Capital Credit’s London office from 2009 to 2013. David began his career with Credit Suisse First Boston in Investment Banking before joining Bain Capital Credit in 2003. David received a B.A. from Harvard College.
Follow David Ross:
About Northleaf Capital Partners: Northleaf Capital Partners is private equity firm that manages pension plans, endowments, foundations, financial institutions accounts.
Roderick Gadsby
Managing Director of Northleaf Capital Partners
Roderick leads Northleaf’s infrastructure investment activities in the UK and Europe, with a focus on transaction origination, due diligence, execution and asset management. Prior to joining Northleaf in 2018, Roderick held senior-level infrastructure investment and advisory roles at institutions such as UBS Investment Bank, Macquarie Group and Barclays Capital, and was most recently a Partner at Stormharbour LLP. With more than 20 years of corporate finance and principal investing experience in the UK and Europe, Roderick has led the origination, execution and financing of infrastructure and other real assets. In addition, Roderick has served on the corporate boards of several privately-held companies. Roderick received a Masters in Business Administration from London Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of British Columbia.
Follow Roderick Gadsby:
About Northleaf Capital Partners: Northleaf Capital Partners is private equity firm that manages pension plans, endowments, foundations, financial institutions accounts.
Daniel Dupont
Managing Director of Northleaf Capital Partners
Daniel manages Northleaf’s London office and is a member of the Investment Committee for Northleaf’s private equity program. Daniel oversees the origination, evaluation and monitoring of Northleaf’s private equity investments, with a focus on secondary investments. In addition, Daniel is involved in Northleaf’s investor relations and business development activities. Prior to joining Northleaf in 2011, Daniel spent more than a decade at Coller Capital, a leading private equity firm focused on secondary market transactions, where he was responsible for deal sourcing and investment execution for primary and secondary private equity investments, as well as business development activities globally. Previously, Daniel held senior positions in the private equity group at the Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec and in the International and Treasury Divisions at the National Bank of Canada. Daniel has served on various fund advisory boards in Europe, Asia and Canada, and is a guest lecturer in the Masters program at INSEAD. Daniel received a B.B.A. and an M.B.A. in International Finance from the École des Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC Montréal) and holds the Chartered Professional Accountant designation.
Follow Daniel Dupont:
About Northleaf Capital Partners: Northleaf Capital Partners is private equity firm that manages pension plans, endowments, foundations, financial institutions accounts.
Matthieu Ducharme
Managing Director of Northleaf Capital Partners
Matthieu participates in all aspects of Northleaf’s private equity investment activities, with a focus on the origination, evaluation and monitoring of secondary investments. Prior to joining Northleaf in 2013, Matthieu was a partner at PEFOX, a private equity secondaries and derivatives broker in Paris. Previously, Matthieu worked with Pantheon Ventures’ secondaries team in London where he was responsible for the sourcing, evaluation and negotiation of portfolio, fund and direct secondary transactions. Matthieu began his career with an expansion capital fund sponsored by Société Générale Asset Management in Paris. Matthieu received an M.Sc. in Financial Engineering from the Sorbonne University and a B.Sc. in Management Science & Finance from Dauphine University in Paris.
Follow Matthieu Ducharme:
About Northleaf Capital Partners: Northleaf Capital Partners is private equity firm that manages pension plans, endowments, foundations, financial institutions accounts.
Liz Lumley
Managing Director of Rainmaking
Liz Lumley is Managing Director, Thought Leadership at Rainmaking – a corporate innovation consultancy and Startupbootcamp-branded accelerator programmes. Lumley served as managing director of the 2015 Startupbootcamp FinTech London accelerator programme and she has spent over 20 years working in the financial technology space, most recently as an editor at financial services and technology newswire, Finextra. In addition to being an internationally recognised conference speaker and moderator, she is also a regular host on Brett King’s Breaking Banks radio show on the VoiceAmerica Business channel.
Follow Liz Lumley:
About Rainmaking: Rainmaking is a startup incubator that launches startups, builds them into solid businesses, and eventually exits them.
Helene Panzarino
Managing Director of Rainmaking
Helene Panzarino is a highly experienced FinTech Programme Director, Investment Readiness Consultant, Exited Entrepreneur, and Educator, and most recently MD of the global Rainmaking Colab FinTech Programme, a world-first, post-accelerator programme connecting Series A+ FinTechs to Tier 1 banks financial institutions. Helene successfully created and launched the Inaugural Programme of Education and Events for Innovate Finance and is an Associate Professor with LIBF, the Lead Fellow (and creator) on a world-first FinTech Pathway in a Masters in Tech Entrepreneurship Degree for UCL, and co-creator and lead delivery partner on the Imperial College FinTech Executive Education Programme. Her specialist subject areas are Digital Banking and Alternative Finance (SMEs). She is a regular judge, speaker and moderator for the FIA Award, Global Mobile Congress, The Alt Fi Finance Awards, EFMA (European Finance), Money Live on FinTech/Corporate Collaboration, the Retail Banking Conference, and Lendit. Helene is a member of The FinTech Advisory Board for the BSI (British Standards Institute), and representative for UK in the EU. Named on the Computer Weekly 100 Women in Tech Award 2019, she was also recently inducted into the St George’s Leadership Foundation at Windsor Castle. She is currently co-writing a book on the reinvention of banking.
Follow Helene Panzarino:
About Rainmaking: Rainmaking is a startup incubator that launches startups, builds them into solid businesses, and eventually exits them.
Jeffrey Fredrick
Managing Director of TIM Group
Jeffrey Fredrick is an internationally recognised expert on software development. He joined TIM Group in 2011 as a 20-year veteran with experience across the software development lifecycle. An early adopter of XP and Agile software development, he has consistently been at the forefront of software development. Jeffrey joined TIM Group from Urbancode where as Chief Evangelist he was a regular speaker and coach on Agile development. Before Urbancode Jeffrey was an independent consultant for software companies on topics including corporate strategy, product management, and interaction design. Jeffrey’s Silicon Valley experience includes time at Agitar where he was VP of Product Management, and Alphablox where he was a pioneer in modern continuous integration practices. Jeffrey was also founder and VP of Engineering at OpenAvenue, an early software-as-service company offering web hosted development tools. Jeffrey began his career at Borland International where he was manager of online services and then a founding member of the JBuilder development team. In addition to his role at TIM Group Jeffrey is also indulging his passion for improving how software is made as a Technical Advisor to SauceLabs and as the Co-Organiser of the Continuous Integration and Testing Conference (CITCON).
Follow Jeffrey Fredrick:
About Citcon, Open Information Foundation, TIM Group: TIM Group is a provider of alpha-generating information technologies for the financial services industry.
Stefano Tresca
Managing Director of iSeed
Follow Stefano Tresca:
About iSeed: iSeed Ltd – iSeed Ltd is to invest time and money into early stage startups.
Simon Faure
Managing Director of IH International Advisors
Follow Simon Faure:
About IH International Advisors, Silverfleet Capital: IH International Advisors provides Private Equity investment advisory services to Inter Fund Management SA.
Laurence J Marshall
Managing Director of EquiLend
Laurence is the Managing Director of EquiLend Europe, responsible for the company’s operation and development in Europe. He has over 20 years experience in securities financing markets, 16 with UBS AG where he was a Managing Director in the Prime Services division. During this period he has established a very strong and diverse network of relationships together with an in depth knowledge of the marketplace. He has sat on a variety of market committees and he has previously served as Chairman of the Board of EquiLend Europe and the International Securities Lending Association (ISLA).
Follow Laurence J Marshall:
About EquiLend: EquiLend is a provider of trading and post-trade services for the securities finance industry.
Anthony Lyall
Managing Director and Co-Founder of Lyall Ventures
Anthony Lyall is the managing director and co-founder at Lyall Ventures.
Follow Anthony Lyall:
About Lyall Ventures, NOTWICS: Lyall Ventures is an angel investment company that focuses on travel and travel technology start-ups.
José Francis
Founder and Managing Director of Hamilcar Capital Limited
José is an Investment Advisor. His main role is to screen the African market (Private and Listed Equity) to find the best investment opportunity on behalf of a consortium of selected investors Partner. José Solange Francis founded Hamilcar Capital Limited which is a regulated London Investment Boutique mainly dedicated for investment across the African continent. As a Principal Investment and Advisor Partner, he is surrounded with highly talented Expert Advisors. Mr J.S.Francis is global coordinator for deal sourcing, analysing and execution of direct equity investments. José brings to the growing business in Africa his 20 years’ extensive experience in financial markets on Equity and Derivatives products. He has a strong academic background in Finance and Economics. Prior to Hamilcar Capital Limited, he worked in London and Paris for well established financial institutions such as Paribas Asset Management, Natixis, Société Générale, GFI Group, Integra Capital. He covered different roles such as Fund Manager, Trader and Sales. Through his long experience, Mr J.S. Francis covered very large international institutions and also hedge fund clients by arranging deals on industrial participations and special situations. His responsibility was covering deals on IPO, Secondary Offerings, Block Trades, Repo Trade, Stocks Lending. He was also responsible for identifying attractive investment opportunities on equity event driven, M&A situations, distressed and restructuring stocks, large discounted stocks, managing equity and derivatives exposure. Mr J.S. Francis holds a Masters Specialized in Finance (ISG Business School, Paris) and a Bachelor degree in Economics, specializing in Mathematics and Statistics (University of Toulouse, France). Mr J.S. Francis is registered CF1 (Director) and CF30 (Customer) by the Financial Conduct Authority. He is trilingual in English, French (mother tongue) and Italian. He is currently learning Arabic. His motto “Never Give Up, just Carry On”
Follow José Francis:
About Hamilcar Capital Limited: Hamilcar Capital is an independent investment boutique focusing on private and listed equity in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Paul Jackson
Managing Director of Castle Digital Partners
Follow Paul Jackson:
About Castle Digital Partners: Castle Digital Partners is a venture services firm that partners with management teams to invest in software that drives their businesses.
Jan Berghe
Managing Director & Co-Founder of Novalis Biotechnology Incubation
Follow Jan Berghe:
About Novalis Biotechnology Incubation: Novalis Biotech Incubation is an early-stage vc fund that invests in biotechnology and life sciences related companies.
João Félix
Managing Director of Wellty
Follow João Félix:
About Wellty: Wellness Consulting and Investments
