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 United Kingdom based Chairman operating in the Financial Services space. If you think a Chairman 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.
Peter Norris
Chairman of Virgin Group
Mr. Norris is Chairman of Virgin Group Holdings Limited, a multinational venture capital firm with holdings in a wide range of industries. He has over 37 years of experience in investment banking and business management. Mr. Norris began his career at Barings in 1976. In 1984, he joined Goldman Sachs, before returning to Barings in 1987 to head the South East Asian advisory operations. Upon returning to London in 1994, he became CEO of Barings Investment Banking Group. Three months after his appointment, the notorious derivatives trading scandal in Singapore was revealed, which brought down the bank. In 1995, Mr. Norris established a corporate finance business, constructed around the needs of a client base of owner-entrepreneurs. In 2007, he merged this business with Quayle Munro Holdings Plc, an AIM listed company and became the CEO of the combined entity. He served in this capacity until the end of 2009, when he resigned his executive position to take the role of Chairman of the Virgin Group. He remains a senior adviser to Quayle Munro. Prior to becoming Chairman of Virgin, Mr. Norris acted as an adviser to the Group from 1996 and had chaired Virgin Active from 2002 to 2007. Mr. Norris graduated from Oxford University with a first class degree in Modern History and Modern Languages.
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About Virgin Group: Virgin Group is an investment company focused on leisure, travel, tourism, mobile, broadband, TV, radio, music, finance, and health sectors.
Ann Cairns
Executive Vice Chairman of Mastercard
As president of International Markets at Mastercard, Ann Cairns is responsible for the management, growth and expansion of all markets and customer-related activities outside of North America. Working across both mature and emerging markets Ann has firsthand insight and experience of how to build a team focused on delivering strong business growth and meaningful global and local partnerships through innovative, sustainable and inclusive business models. Ann has more than 20 years’ experience as a senior leader, having held management positions across Europe and the U.S., and has previously run global retail, commercial and investment banking operations. A mathematician and statistician Ann holds a Pure Mathematics degree from Sheffield University and a M.Sc. from Newcastle University. Among her many accomplishments Ann has been an award-winning research engineer and was the first woman qualified to go offshore in Britain. A champion of inclusion – digital, financial and gender – Ann is a member of the World Food Programme investment committee and the AstraZeneca board.
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About Mastercard: Mastercard provides payment processing products and solutions, and related consulting services.
Sir David Michels
Chairman of Miroma Ventures
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About : Miroma Ventures is the investment arm of The Miroma Group, predominantly investing in growth stage consumer brands and media platforms.
Neil England
Chairman of Augmentum Fintech
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About Augmentum Fintech, Mandata (Management & Data Services): Augmentum Fintech is a FinTech fund that invests in early and later-stage FinTech companies.
Martin Halusa
Chairman of Apax Partners
Martin, a graduate of Georgetown University, received his MBA from the Harvard Business School and his PhD in Economics from the Leopold-Franzens University in Innsbruck. He began his career at The Boston Consulting Group (“BCG”) in Germany and left as a Partner and Vice President of BCG world-wide in 1986. He joined Daniel Swarovski Corporation, Austria’s largest private industrial company, first as President of Swarovski Inc (USA) and later as the Director of International Holding in Zurich. In 1990, he co-founded Apax Partners in Germany as Managing Director. His investment experience has been primarily in telecommunications and service industries. Martin has held his position of Chief Executive Officer of Apax Partners since 2003.
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About Apax Partners: Apax Partners is an independent global partnership focused solely on long-term investment in growth companies.
Andrew Banks
Chairman and Co-Founder of ABRY Partners
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About ABRY Partners, Bain & Company: ABRY Partners is an equity firm focused on investments in media.
Andrew Rolfe
Vice Chairman of TowerBrook Capital Partners
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About TowerBrook Capital Partners, Ubuntu Education Fund: TowerBrook Capital Partners is a London-based investment management firm that funds European and North American companies.
Federico Pirzio-Biroli
Founder & Chairman of Playfair Capital
Fede started out as an angel investor in 2010. His portfolio quickly grew, so he built a team around him and thus Playfair Capital was born. We have since gone on to become one of Europe’s most active and well-known early-stage VC funds. Before becoming a technology investor Fede worked for several NGOs in Africa, with a particular focus on aid transparency. He recently renewed his focus on Africa by relocating to Kenya and becoming an angel investor in East Africa’s burgeoning startup ecosystem. He maintains an active role at Playfair and continues to lead our investment team.
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About Playfair Capital: Playfair Capital is an early-stage fund backing founders building technology that changes the way people live and work.
Alex Macpherson
Chairman of Octopus Ventures
Alex has been in the same position as many entrepreneurs having started, built and sold his own business. He founded Katalyst Ventures with his colleagues in 2000, creating the private angel network which would later be known as the Octopus Venture Partners. Over seven years, Alex led the business as CEO until its sale to Octopus in August 2007, providing succession plans for the executive team as a series of VCTs were raised to invest into 42 companies alongside the newly branded Octopus Venture Partners. Since 2007, the amount of assets that the Ventures team manages has risen from circa £20 million to in excess of £200 million at a time when the economy has seen the worst financial crisis in a generation. Alex is firmly of the belief that it is people that make the difference to businesses, whether within his own team, the Octopus Venture Partners, or most importantly, the entrepreneurs that are building the great businesses of tomorrow. Focusing on people rather than specific industry sectors has enabled the Ventures team to build a diverse portfolio of investments, including: Secret Escapes; Calastone; Zoopla; Graze; and SwiftKey. Alex is Chairman of the Octopus Ventures Investment Committee, remaining actively involved in new deal transactions, portfolio management, exits and new fund creation. Under Alex’s leadership, the Ventures team at Octopus has established itself as one of the leading UK venture capital houses.
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About Octopus Ventures: Octopus is a multi stage European venture capital investor specializing in health, money, deep tech, and consumer.
Mark Rawlinson
Chairman , UK Investment Banking of Morgan Stanley
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About Morgan Stanley: Morgan Stanley is a financial services company that offers securities, asset management, and credit services.
Cyrus Ardalan
Chairman of OakNorth
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About : OakNorth is the creator of the ON Credit Intelligence Suite – proven cloud software that transforms commercial lending
Wim Bushell
Chairman of the Reinsurance Arm of Gallagher
Wim is the Deputy Chairman of Gallagher London, a global insurance company. His education at Millfield as a boarder in Walton (1970 – 1973) fuelled his passion for sports and as well as participating in a wide variety of sports (amongst which football, cricket and rugby) he gained first team colours in football. After leaving Millfield, his interest in sports did not dwindle and he continued to play for two seasons for Corinthian Casuals AFC, swapping sports afterwards to play for Richmond RFC, also captaining the infamous Richmond ‘Heavies’. Additionally, he was captain of Lloyd’s Gentlemen’s Rugby XV. Wim is a keen golfer and is also a member of the MCC. In 1974, Wim went to work for a small insurance brokerage firm (Wigham, Richardson and Bevington) in the City. In 1987 he became a partner in a company called MRC Limited, which sold itself, in 1996 to a Chicago based brokerage firm, Arthur J. Gallagher, where he became Managing Director, then Chairman of the Reinsurance arm. After this company was acquired by Aon Corporation, another Chicago based operation, Wim became Deputy Chairman for Aon Re UK and has since returned to Arthur J Gallagher as Deputy Chairman of Gallagher London. As well as having been educated at Millfield, Wim was an Old Millfieldian Society committee member in 2003 – 2006. He joined the Foundation Committee from 2007 – 2008 and was appointed a Governor in 2009.
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About Gallagher: Gallagher is an international insurance brokerage and risk management services firm.
Michael Jackson
Chairman of Elderstreet Investments
Michael Jackson MA FCA (Chairman of the Manager) founded Elderstreet Investments Limited in 1990 and is its executive chairman. For the past 24 years, he has specialised in raising finance and investing in the smaller companies quoted and unquoted sector. From 1983 until 1987 he was a director and from 1987 until 2006 was chairman of FTSE 100 company The Sage Group plc. He was also chairman of PartyGaming plc, another FTSE 100 company. He is a director of Elderstreet portfolio companies Uvenco UK plc, Fords Packaging Systems Limited, Baldwin & Francis Holdings Limited, AngloInfo Limited, Macranet Limited and Access Intelligence plc. Michael studied law at Cambridge University, and qualified as a chartered accountant with Coopers & Lybrand before spending five years in marketing for various US multinational technology companies.
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About Elderstreet Investments: Elderstreet Investments is a U.K.-based venture fund manager that provides development and growth capital funds for early stage companies.
Darren Campili
Vice Chairman, European Healthcare Investment Banking of Barclays
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About Barclays: Barclays is a global financial services company that provides various financial products and services worldwide.
Ken Brown
Chairman of Equity Capital Markets for Europe and the Middle East of Barclays
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About Barclays: Barclays is a global financial services company that provides various financial products and services worldwide.
Matt Cooper
Chairman of Tandem
Matt Cooper is Chairman of Octopus. Before joining Octopus, Matt was Principal Managing Director of Capital One Bank (Europe) where he led the team guiding strategy and operations. He helped the UK arm grow from a start-up to a business employing more than 2,000 people and generating over £275 million in revenue.
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About Imaginatik, Tandem, VouchedFor: Tandem is building a bank and financial management universe, focused on freeing users from financial stress by making money simple.
Jonathan Symonds
Deputy Group Chairman of HSBC
Jonathan Symonds CBE was appointed as Deputy Group Chairman of HSBC Holdings plc in August 2018 and has been an independent non-executive Director since April 2014. He has extensive international financial and governance experience. Mr Symonds was previously Chairman of HSBC Bank plc, HSBC’s European subsidiary, which offers services to clients in the UK and Continental Europe. Mr Symonds was Chief Financial Officer of Novartis AG from 2009 to 2013. Before joining Novartis he was a Partner and Managing Director of Goldman Sachs; Chief Financial Officer of AstraZeneca plc; and a Partner at KPMG. His governance experience includes roles as non-executive Director and chair of the audit committees of Diageo plc and QinetiQ plc. He is currently Chairman of Proteus Digital Health Inc. and of Genomics England Limited. He is also a non-executive director of Rubius Therapeutics, Inc. Mr Symonds is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. He has a BA, First Class Honours in Business Finance from the University of Hertfordshire.
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About HSBC: HSBC is a banking and financial services organization that offers a comprehensive range of services.
Stefano Marsaglia
Chairman, Global FIG of Barclays Investment Bank
Mediobanca SpA, Italy’s biggest publicly traded investment bank, hired Barclays Plc’s Stefano Marsaglia to be co-head of corporate and investment banking. Marsaglia will be based in London, and will report to Alberto Nagel, Mediobanca’s chief executive officer and the other co-head of corporate and investment banking. Mediobanca will use the hire to expand its London presence while making the city its European center for all sector and capital-markets teams, according to the statement. The strategy includes a focus on the region’s financial institutions.
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About Barclays Investment Bank: Barclays Investment Bank offers large corporate clients with strategic advisory, financing, and risk management solutions.
Massimo Prelz
Chairman Investment Committee of DN Capital
Massimo Prelz Oltramonti started in management consulting with Boston Consulting Group in Paris, followed by a long period at Olivetti where he worked in the corporate development function (on acquisition and venture capital) both in the US and Europe and then as managing director of their financial information services division (Radiocor). He returned to venture capital in London with Alta Berkley Associates and then private equity investment initially with Advent International and now with GMT Communication Partners. He has been Chairman of the Board of Jazztel Plc, Vice-Chairman of Primacom AG and member of the board of a number of listed companies including ESAT Telecom, SBS SA, Edap-Technomed SA, Esaote SpA, Cityfibre Holding Plc. He is also chairman of the investment committee of DN Capital, a VC fund.
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About DN Capital, Electro Power Systems: DN Capital operates as an early-stage venture capital firm.
Charles Cecil
Chairman of Samos Investments
charles cecil works as chairman of Samos Investments.
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About Samos Investments: Samos invests across a range of sectors including consumer internet, digital media, e-commerce, retail, and financial services/technology.
Thomas Teichman
Chairman and Executive Director of Spark Ventures
Tom is the Chairman of SPARK Venture Management and has a long track record in backing, chairing and developing some of Europe’s most successful internet, technology, music, games and software businesses. Additionally, he has 20 years’ prior investment banking experience acquired at Credit Suisse, Bank of Montreal Nesbitt and Mitsubishi Bank, where he held various positions including Head of Corporate Finance, Trading and Syndicate. Tom was Executive Chairman of SPARK Ventures plc for 10 years until 2011 and now chairs SPARK Venture Management, which manages the SPARK Ventures plc portfolio and other significant technology and life sciences portfolios including funds from major institutions and 27 Oxford University colleges and the UK Government. Tom has operated hands-on after his City days in many small and fast growing businesses from start up to IPO or trade sale. Thus, unusually, he combines awareness of the capital markets and the M&A environments with that of entrepreneurial, rapid growth companies with mould-breaking ideas.
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About Simba Sleep, The Garage Soho: SPARK Venture is an early-stage venture capital investor in Europe.
Nick Caplan
Chairman of Fly Now Pay Later
Nick is a Senior Sector Partner of the Athene Capital Group. Nick is a transformation and change advisor helping companies get from point A to point B. As such, he has amassed a wide range of experience, currently holding boarding positions in the following companies: Travel Fund, ANDigital, myCSP, OXAND and Managed Networks. Previously, Nick started his career at EY and rose to become CMO and Group Exec Board Director of Logica.
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About Athene Capital: Fly Now Pay Later is a fintech company that helps consumers split the cost of their travel in monthly installments.
Alexandre Harkous
Founder & Executive Chairman of OneWealthPlace
Alexandre, BI-SAM founder, has over 20 years of solid experience in strategy and information systems for the Capital Markets and Asset Management industries. He began his career at Mitsubishi Bank as Head of IT before joining Demachy Worms & Cie Bank as Projects Director and then SIP in 1995 as Client Management Director. In 1998 he joined Deloitte Consulting where he developed the Asset Management Expertise Center working closely with various global clients such as HSBC, Merrill Lynch, ABN Amro AM and Dresdner RCM Global Investors. Throughout his career, Alexandre gained a significant international experience in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific and a solid experience in business development, strategy, change management and systems for banking and asset management including securities services, portfolio management and analytics. Alexandre holds a Degree in Engineering and Computer Science.
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About OneWealthPlace: One Wealth Place’s mission to support the digital transformation of private wealth banks and global asset services companies.
Martin Smith
Chairman of GP Bullhound
Martin has been involved in the financial services sector for more than 30 years. He was a founder and senior partner of Phoenix Securities, becoming chairman of European Investment Banking for Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette following the acquisition of Phoenix by DLJ. He was subsequently a founder of New Star Asset Management Ltd. and has a number of other directorships and business interests, including Chairman of Worldwide Healthcare Trust PLC and directorship of Oxford Capital Partners His pro-bono interests include serving as chairman of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and serving on the boards of a number of other arts organisation including the Glyndebourne Arts Trust and the Science Museum Foundation. He chaired the English National Opera. He is a Governor of the Ditchley Foundation. In 2008 his family founded the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at Oxford University. In 2013 he received a knighthood in the New Year’s Honours List for services to the arts, education and science.
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About GP Bullhound, Oxford Capital Partners: GP Bullhound is a technology advisory and investment firm that provides transaction advice and capital to entrepreneurs and founders.
Kosta Kantchev
Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of Nexo
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About Credissimo, Nexo: The World’s Leading Regulated Financial Institution for Digital Assets
Laurence Vaughan
Chairman of Catapult Ventures
Laurence has been Chairman of Catapult Ventures since September 2013 and is the Founding Partner of Opus Ventures. Laurence began his career with PwC in audit and consulting before joining a client as Financial Director. In 1993 he joined Synter where as CEO he led the team that grew the company from a single BMW dealership in Nottingham to a luxury car group with around £1bn revenues by 1997 when it listed on the London Stock Exchange. Sytner was bought by US-based Penske Group in 2002 and Laurence joined the main board before becoming Sytner’s non-executive Chairman and founding Opus Ventures. Today Sytner has more than 140 prestige dealerships around the UK, including Audi, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lexus, Maserati, McLaren, Porsche and Rolls Royce. It has revenues in excess of £3bn and is the UK’s most profitable car dealership group.
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About Catapult Ventures, R2C Online: Catapult Ventures specialises in providing Equity Capital for businesses requiring between £50k and £2m.
Anne Freeman
PA to Chairman of Catapult Ventures
Anne Freeman is Office Manager at Catapult Ventures and pa to Laurence Vaughan and Nick Wright. She is also involved in various aspects of Opus Ventures, which she joined at inception in 2003. Prior to Opus, Anne spent 7 years as personal assistant to the Chairman, CEO and Finance Director of Sytner Group. Before joining Sytner, Anne spent 15 years as a Senior Secretary at PwC East Midlands working for partners in the audit and advisory functions. Anne speaks basic German.
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About Catapult Ventures: Catapult Ventures specialises in providing Equity Capital for businesses requiring between £50k and £2m.
Jeff Lynn
Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of Seedrs
Jeff Lynn is Executive Chairman and co-founder of Seedrs, the leading pan-European equity crowdfunding platform. Seedrs lets investors invest as much or as little as they like in startups they choose, and it lets startups raise capital from friends, family, angels, institutions and the crowds, all through a simple, online process. In addition to running Seedrs, Jeff serves as founding Chairman of The Coalition for a Digital Economy (Coadec), a non-profit advocacy group for digital startups and SMEs.
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About Seedrs: Seedrs is a UK-based investment and crowdfunding platform.
William E. Matthews
Vice Chairman & Chief Financial Officer of National Commerce
William E. Matthews, IV serves as Chief Financial Officer for South State Corporation. Prior to the merger with South State, Mr. Matthews was the Chief Financial Officer of CenterState Bank. Before joining CenterState Bank, Mr. Matthews served as the President of National Commerce Corporation (“NCOM”), the Chief Financial Officer and the Vice Chairman of NCOM; the Executive Vice President of NCOM and its subsidiary bank, National Bank of Commerce (“NBC”), and the Vice Chairman and the Chief Financial Officer at NBC and as a Director of both NCOM and NBC. Mr. Matthews also served as the Executive Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer at First American Bank and was a Partner at New Capital Partners. Prior to joining New Capital Partners, Mr. Matthews was the Executive Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer at Alabama National Bancorporation, Chief Financial Officer at RBC Bank (USA), and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at NBC He has over 20 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate financing and investment management in privately owned and publicly traded companies Mr. Matthews earned an M.B.A. degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an A.B. in Economics from Princeton University.
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About National Commerce, South State Bank: National Commerce is a a financial holding company that provides various financial services to individuals, businesses, and business owners.
Garry Wilson
co founder & Executive Chairman of Endless LLP
Garry, one of our Founders, has over 20 years experience in transforming businesses and private equity. He spends his days sourcing new investment opportunities, looking after a few of our portfolio businesses and keeping our investors up to date.
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About Endless LLP: Endless is an investor that specializes in supporting management buyouts, acquisition of non-core businesses, and turnaround investments.
Laurent Laffy
Founder and Executive Chairman of SeedLegals
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About Prepay Technologies, SeedLegals: The simple way for companies to complete the legals needed to raise investment and distribute equity
Ismail Ahmed
Founder & Executive Chairman of Zepz
Ismail Ahmed, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, founding WorldRemit was the culmination of 20 years’ experience in the money transfer industry – spanning academic, consulting and in-house roles. Before setting-up his own business, he worked for the United Nations Remittance Programme, helping African money transfer companies comply with tough anti-money laundering rules introduced after the 9/11 attacks. Ismail has published widely-cited research on the effect of remittances in Somaliland following the country’s civil war. He holds an MSc and PhD from the University of London and an Executive MBA from London Business School.
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About Zepz, Zepz: Zepz is a money transfer service that helps migrants send money to their loved ones all over the world.
Francesco Moccagatta
Vice Chairman Independent Board Member of CreditAccess Asia
Francesco Moccagatta obtained a degree in Political Sciences at University of Milan, with a specialization in macroeconomics.Moccagatta has gained a strong experience in corporate governance since he served for several years as Managing Director for important financial institutions such as Banca IMI (Intesa San Paolo Group) and DC Advisory Partners.Moccagatta has served as Director in CreditAccess Asia since 2011.
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About Alantra: CreditAccess Asia provides financial services in South and Southeast Asia.
Martin Bolland
Chairman of MXC Capital
Martin founded the private equity group Alchemy, serving as a Partner for 11 years. Martin is currently chairman of Capita plc, a FTSE 100 company. Martin previously held a number of senior operational roles in Lonrho and is a chartered accountant.
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About MXC Capital: MXC Capital is an investment and advisory group specializing in the technology, media and telecommunications sector.
Peter Rigg
Non-Executive Chairman of MXC Capital
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About : MXC Capital is an investment and advisory group specializing in the technology, media and telecommunications sector.
Alan Morgan
Chairman, Co-Founder of MMC Ventures
Alan co-founded MMC Ventures in 2000. As an active business angel investor he saw the opportunity for a more structured strategic and due diligence approach to venture investing. Alan is a member of the Investment Committee and leads MMC’s financial services focus. He has lead responsibility for Small World.
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About MMC Ventures, Small World Financial Services Group: MMC Ventures is an investment firm that invests in technology companies at Seed and Series A.
Marek Fodor
Chairman of Kantox
Marek began his career working in consulting and banking before moving on to internet-related projects. Before joining Kantox he co-founded and was CTO at Atrapalo, largest independent online travel agency in Spain. He is an active business angel investor and mentor for technology startups. He is specialised in marketing and growth strategiHe has a dual university education background in both computer science and in economics.
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About 4Founders Capital, Kantox, SeedRocket, Terminis, Toubkal Partners: Kantox is a leader in Currency Management Automation software that enables businesses to automate their end-to-end FX workflow
Alick Varma
Founder and Chairman of Osper
Alick Varma is the Founder and CEO at Osper, established in 2012. Osper offers a safe MasterCard prepaid debit card with a simple mobile banking app with separate logins for young people and parents. All money on Osper is safely managed by a European regulated bank. Alick previously worked at McKinsey and Spotify, and also trained to be a maths teacher.
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About Osper: Osper is a prepaid debit card and mobile banking service empowering young people to manage their money responsibly.
David Campbell
Chairman of Global Reach Group
With an exceptional career spanning four decades with leading global finance and investment firms, David was appointed Chairman of Global Reach Group in 2016. He joined JP Morgan in 1980, progressing to the role of Managing Director before moving to Deutsche Bank, initially joining as Managing Director and later becoming its Co-Head of European Fixed Income Trading. Moving into the entrepreneurial financial services sector, he was appointed as CEO at Tilney Investment Management, where he led several significant international deals including the £355m sale of the business to Deutsche Bank. Returning to his former employer, he took on responsibility for Global Investment Solutions. In 2013 he was appointed as Chairman of Enterprise Finance which, under his tenure, was ranked as one of the UK’s 50 fastest growing SMEs for three consecutive years.
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About Global Reach Group: Global Reach Group is a leading foreign currency provider for corporates and personal clients.
Richard Wohanka
Director & Chairman of Embark Group
Richard is our largest shareholder of Embark Group and has more than 30 years of experience in financial services, specifically in asset management. He has forged a robust reputation for building global, high-quality, investment-led businesses. He has previously held chief executive officer roles at Union Bancaire Privée (UBP) Asset Management, BNP Paribas Investment Partners (Fortis Investments), WestLB Asset Management and Baring Asset Management. His early career featured successful positions in fixed income and equities at Paribas and the European Banking Corporation. Richard holds non-executive director roles at BTG plc and Scottish Widows. He is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Scottish Widows Pension Fund and a member of the Board of Trustees of The James Neill Pension Plan. He is a board member of UBP Japan and a trustee of the Nuclear Liabilities Fund. He is also a member of the Board of Julius Baer International and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee.
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About Embark Group: Embark Group provides retirement and financial services.
Stephen Steinour
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Huntington National Bank
Stephen Steinour is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (since 2009), a $64 billion regional bank holding company. Previously, he was the Chairman and Managing Partner of CrossHarbor Capital Partners, a private equity firm (2008-January 2009). From 2006 to 2008, he was President and CEO of Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a multistate commercial bank holding company. Prior to that, Mr. Steinour served as Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Mid-States regional banking (2005-2006). He served as Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Mid-Atlantic Region (2001-2005). At the beginning of his career, Mr. Steinour was an analyst for the U.S. Treasury Department and subsequently worked for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Mr. Steinour was a member of the board of trustees of the Liberty Property Trust (an office and industrial property real estate investment trust) from February 2010 until May 2014, where he served on its audit and compensation committees. Mr. Steinour has served on the board of directors of L Brands (fashion retailer) since 2014. He was elected to The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Board in November 2013. Mr. Steinour is a member of council of The Pennsylvania Society, a non-profit, charitable organization which celebrates service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He also serves as a trustee of the Eisenhower Fellowships and is a member of the Columbus Partnership and a trustee of the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation. He is a member of the American Bankers Association. Mr. Steinour also served as a member on the policy and legal affairs committees of the Pennsylvania Business Roundtable, an association of CEOs in large Pennsylvania companies representing significant employment and economic activity in the Commonwealth. He also has served on the board of and as the chairman of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
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About Huntington National Bank: Huntington National Bank is a public bank that serves both individuals and businesses.
Gordon Lawson
Chairman of Parkwalk Advisors
Gordon has 30 years City experience, latterly as head of equity proprietary trading and EMEA equity, derivatives and convertible bond risk at Salomon/Citigroup and then as the founder of Pendragon Capital, the event-driven hedge fund. Gordon is an adviser to several hedge funds and sits on the Advisory Board of Bridges Ventures, the sustainable impact investment fund.
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About Parkwalk Advisors: Parkwalk is an investment management firm focused on UK-based technology companies that are spun out of UK university and research centres.
Pratyush Lal
Executive Assistant To The Chairman of Aditya Birla Group
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About Aditya Birla Group: Aditya Birla Group is an Indian multinational conglomerate named after Aditya Vikram Birla
Francesco Loredan
Co-Chairman and Managing Partner of BC Partners
Mr. Francesco Loredan serves as a Founder and Member of Advisory Board of Innogest SGR S.p.A, where he was a Director. Mr. Loredan served as Co-Managing Partner and a Co-Chairman at BC Partners. He joined BC Partners in 1989. Prior to this, he served at the Boston Consulting Group for four years, where he worked on assignments in France and Italy. Previously, he spent three years in corporate finance at Bank of America Corporation as a Credit Officer. He serves as the Chairman of Mark IV Industries Inc., U.S.A. He serves as Non-Executive Director of Heating Finance PLC. He served as a Non-Executive Director of Interpump Group SPA. He served as a Director of Baxi Group Ltd from January 16, 2004 to February 18, 2008. He speaks Italian, English, French, and Spanish. Mr. Loredan has an M.B.A. from INSEAD and holds a B.Sc. degree in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
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About BC Partners: BC Partners is an international alternative investment firm focused private equity, credit, real estate, and investment strategies.
Stefano Aversa
Global Vice Chairman and Chairman EMEA of Alix Partners
Stefano is Chair of EMEA and Vice-Chair globally. A talented and highly skilled turnaround expert with more than 30 years of experience, Stefano works with investors, boards, and managements of industrial companies, developing business plans, driving financial and operational turnarounds, and implementing large-scale performance improvement programs.
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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.
Karl Knoflach
Chairman, Co-Founder, Head of Marketing and Product of C88 Financial Technologies
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About C88 Financial Technologies: C88 connects banks and insurers in Asia to consumers buying financial products online.
Hani Kablawi
Chairman of International of BNY Mellon
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About BNY Mellon: BNY Mellon is an investment company that provides investment management, investment services, and wealth management services.
Bundeep Singh Rangar
Chairman & CEO of PremFina
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About PremFina: PremFina is an innovative premium finance company providing insurance brokers with a high margin white-label premium finance solution.
Chris Masterson
Chief Executive & Chairman of Montagu Private Equity
Chris Masterson joined Montagu in 1991 and has over 30 years experience of investing in unquoted companies. He read Psychology at University College, London and has an MBA from Manchester Business School. He was appointed Chief Executive in 2000 and Chairman in 2010. As Chairman he is responsible for chairing the Investment Committee and Remuneration Committee.
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About Montagu Private Equity: Montagu Private Equity is a financial company investing in other businesses.
Jeremy Anderson
Chairman Global Financial Services of KPMG International Limited
Jeremy Anderson is a member of the Board of Directors of UBS AG and UBS Group AG since 2018. He chairs the Audit Committee and is also a member of the Corporate Culture and Responsibility and the Governance and Nominating Committees of the Board. He was chairman of Global Financial Services at KPMG International from 2010 to 2017. He has spent over 30 years working with the banking and insurance industry in an advisory capacity, covering a broad range of topics, including strategy, audit and risk management, technology-enabled transformation, mergers and bank restructuring. He was the founding sponsor of KPMG’s Global Fintech Network in 2014 and is a regular participant at fintech events across Europe, the US and Asia. He joined KPMG International in 2004 and was Head of Financial Services KPMG Europe from 2006 to 2011 as well as Head of Clients and Markets KPMG Europe from 2008 to 2011. From 2004 to 2008 he was in charge of its UK Financial Services Practice. Prior to that, he served as a member of Atos Origin’s Group Management Board and as Head of its UK operations after Atos acquired KPMG Consulting UK in 2002. In this capacity he managed Atos’ consulting, systems integration and IT outsourcing services in the UK. She joined KPMG’s UK consulting business in 1985 and led the firm as CEO from 2000 to 2002, having previously been a partner in its financial services business. He started his career as a software developer with Triad Computing Systems in 1980. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from University College London.
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About KPMG International Limited: KPMG is a network of independent member firms offering audit, tax and advisory services.
Peter Englander
Chairman of Bridges Fund Management
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About Bridges Fund Management: Bridges Fund Management is a specialist fund manager dedicated to sustainable and impact investment.
Alexander P. Coleman
Chairman & Co-CEO of New Providence Acquisition
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About Big Red, New Providence Acquisition: New Providence Acquisition is a blank check company that effects business combinations with one or more businesses.
Mushegh Tovmasyan
Chairman and Founder of Zenus Bank
Mushegh Tovmasyan is the Founder and Chairman at Zenus Bank.
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About : The first U.S. bank made for people outside the U.S.
Lawrence Lever
Executive Chairman of Citywire
Lawrence founded Citywire in 1999. An Oxford graduate who trained as a solicitor, Lawrence was formerly financial editor of the Mail on Sunday and assistant City editor of The Times. Outside of work, he is a keen table tennis player and film goer.
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About Citywire: Citywire provides news, information and insight for professional advisers and investors around the world.
Malcolm Williamson
Chairman of CDC Group
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About CDC Group: CDC is the UK’s development finance institution.
Tony Best
Chairman (non-executive) of SME Capital
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About : SME Capital is a debt funding platform matching institutional investors.
David S. Wong
Chairman & CEO, Director of Midpoint
David is a London-based entrepreneur and investor in disruptive technologies and previously Managing Director of Expadis Capital. Prior to becoming an investor, he co-founded a publicly traded technology and media company. David has extensive experience in building, advising technology companies and helping businesses scale internationally. David started out as a client of Midpoint. He subsequently invested in the Company and joined the Board of Directors. David holds a BSc (Hons) in Engineering from the University of Liverpool and MA (Distinction) in Management from the University of Brighton.
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About Midpoint: Midpoint is a true peer-to-peer international payments platform for any businesses or individual wanting access to fair and transparent FX.
Danny Kessler
Chairman of the Board & Investor of Sharegain
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About Sharegain, The Met Group, Unbound Global: Sharegain is a capital markets fintech democratising the $2.5tn securities lending industry.
AF_initDataCallback({key: \’ds:1\'” alt=”” class=”wp-image-14850″ width=”154″ height=”152″/>Andrew Rubio
Non Executive Chairman of Throgmorton
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About Throgmorton, Throgmorton: Throgmorton is one of the leading financial and administrative outsourcing companies serving the financial services sector.
Bernard Fairman
Chairman of Foresight Group
Bernard Fairman co-founded Foresight Group in 1984 to raise a new fund for investment in unquoted technology companies based in the UK, the US and France. He has over 45 years of experience and acts as the Group’s Chairman. Bernard is responsible for strategic direction and management of Foresight through organic growth and acquisition to leading positions in the VCT and UK environmental infrastructure markets. Prior to joining Foresight Bernard worked at 3i Ventures as an Investment Manager where he was responsible for sourcing, evaluating and negotiating investments. Bernard holds a BA in Applied Economics from the University of Nottingham.
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About Foresight Group: Foresight is an infrastructure and private equity investment manager that manages funds on behalf of institutions and retail clients.
Les Platts
Chairman of A J Bell
Les joined AJ Bell in September 2008 having retired as an Audit Partner and practice Senior Partner for the north-east with international professional services firm Deloitte. Over a period of 33 years with Deloitte, Les gained extensive UK and international experience across all industry sectors, including FTSE 100, FTSE 250, smaller listed PLCs, large private companies and private equity investments. He has advised at Board level on a wide range of financial, commercial and governance issues, and is also Vice Chairman of Leeds Building Society.
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About A J Bell: AJ Bell are one of the UK’s largest providers of online investment platforms and stockbroker services.
Phil Hollingdale
Executive Chairman of Cushon
Phil Hollingdale is co-founder of digital wealth company Smarterly who aim to turn the UK’s workforce into a nation of investors. Employers promote Smarterly as an employee benefit, to help people build healthy saving habits with the convenience of saving directly from their pay, often with a contribution boost from the employer as a more accessible complement to pensions. Smarterly use sophisticated algorithms to analyse over 1,000 funds, build ready-made portfolios and comparison tables and then automatically monitor each customer’s individual portfolio on a daily basis. This is Phil’s sixth start-up tech venture. He’s also an active investor and advisor in several businesses across different sectors including Fintech, Healthtech and the Gig Economy.
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About Cushon: Cushon is a fintech company that provides investment, pension, financial wellbeing and workplace savings.
Charles McVeigh
Chairman of the Board of Director of Rubicon Fund Management
Charles was appointed to the Board as a Non-Executive Director on 1 August 2000. Formerly, he was Co-Chairman of Citigroup’s European Investment Bank and served on the Boards of Witan Investment Company plc, Clearstream, the London Stock Exchange, LIFFE, British American Business Inc and was a member of both the Development Board and Advisory Council of the Prince’s Trust, he was also a Non-Executive Director of Petropavlovsk plc until mid 2015. e was appointed by the Bank of England to serve on the City Capital Markets Committee and the Legal Risk Review Committee and was a member of the Fulbright Commission. Charles has recently become Chairman of Rubicon Fund Management, a successful London based hedge fund.A Senior Adviser at Citigroup, Charles also serves on the Board of EFG-Hermes and is a Trustee of the Landmark Trust and the Natural History Museum Development Board.
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About : Rubicon Fund Management LLP is a privately owned investment management partnership.
Bob Wigley
Chairman of UK Finance
Bob Wigley was Chairman of Merrill Lynch, EMEA until 2009. He was a Prime Minister’s Ambassador for UK Business and member of the court for the Bank of England. He now invests in and chairs numerous growth business’ with disruptive business models. He is a visiting fellow of Oxford University, Saïd Business School and an honorary fellow of Cambridge University, Judge Business School. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and has a degree and honorary doctorate from Bath University.
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About UK Finance: UK Finance is the collective voice for the banking and finance industry.
Antony Jenkins
Founder & Executive Chairman of 10xbanking
Antony’s focus on driving innovation in the digital economy also extends to his role as Group Chairman of Currencies Direct, the leading UK non-bank provider of foreign exchange and international payment services; and his role as a board member of Blockchain, the world’s leading software platform for digital assets. He is a Board Director of Fannie Mae, sitting on the US mortgage lender’s Strategic Initiatives and Technology Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Antony is a strong believer in the need for businesses to support the future workforce to acquire the right skills to thrive in the digital era; his commitment to education is recognised in his role as Chair of the Institute for Apprenticeships, an employer-led organisation established to promote high-quality apprenticeships by 2020. He was previously the Group CEO of Barclays plc for three years until July 2015.
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About 10xbanking: 10xbanking offers a digital banking platform that will transform the way financial services providers operate.
Mungo Park
Chairman of Innovator Capital Ltd
Mungo Park, Chairman of Innovator Capital, has been an investment banker, on both sides of the Atlantic, for 30 years focussing exclusively on emerging technologies. He was previously at Cowen & Co., Alex. Brown and Head of Corporate Finance at Nomura International.
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About : London based specialist investment bank advising sustainable, resource efficiency, ICT and life science companies from around the world
Christophe Reech
Group Chairman of Reech Corporations Group
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About Odysseus Investments, Proptech Capital, Reech Corporations Group: Reech Corporations Group is an investment company driving long-term value in real estate, technology and finance.
Neil Radley
Chairman & CEO of Jaja
Neil Radley is a CEO with an outstanding track record of growing/turning around international businesses in retail financial services and payments sectors. A leader strong on strategy, with a highly commercial, analytical approach and the ability to build and motivate high performance management teams. ACA qualified and FCA approved person whose background includes success in instigating and executing merger and acquisition work (with the subsequent delivery of business benefits). Private Equity experience with exposure to FCA and senior City contacts. The recent £530M acquisition by Jaja Finance of the credit card portfolio of The Bank of Ireland UK [including the credit cards customers of BOI, the AA and Post Office] have put Jaja Finance on the radar and show how finally a new challenger can enter the complex world of revolving credit.
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About Jaja: Jaja is a fintech company that provides digital and physical credit cards and other financing services.
Douglas Hansen-Luke
Executive Chairman of Future Planet Capital
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About Future Planet Capital: Future Planet is a venture capital firm that seeks investment in potentially high-growth companies from research centers.
Justin King
Vice Chairman and Head of Portfolio Businesses of Terra Firma
Justin is Terra Firma’s Vice Chairman, having joined the firm in September 2015. In addition, Justin serves as Chairman of Wyevale Garden Centres and sits on the board of Annington. He was previously the CEO of Sainsbury’s between 2004 and 2014, where he led the business through a major turnaround which led to nine years of profit growth. Before joining Sainsbury’s, Justin was Head of Food at Marks & Spencer. He held prior roles at Asda, Haagen-Dazs, PepsiCo and Mars in a thirty-year career spanning consumer goods and grocery retailing. Justin is a member of the Public Interest Body of PwC. He has previously served as a director of Staples and a board member of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and was on the audit committee of both organisations. He was also a member of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Group. Justin is well known for his interest in motorsport. In early 2015, Justin played a key role in the recovery of the Marrusia Formula One team (now Manor Racing Formula One team) through a company voluntary arrangement and served as its interim chairman. His son, Jordan, races in the IndyCar Series, and previously competed in GP2 in addition to being a development driver for Manor Racing. In 2013, Justin was named Most Admired Business Leader by Management Today as well as Britain’s Most Impressive Businessman in the IPSOS-MORI Captains of Industry Report. Justin received an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Bath, and in 2009 the University of Bath awarded him with an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration. Justin was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2011.
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About Terra Firma: Terra Firma is a private equity firm based in London, United Kingdom.
David Norwood
Chairman of Oxford Sciences Innovation
David Norwood founder of IP Group plc
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About Oxford Sciences Innovation: The world’s largest university-partnered venture firm, investing in early-stage life science, AI & software, healthcare, and deep tech.
Hugh Mumford
Chairman of Epiris
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About Epiris: Epiris is an independent private equity firm.
Cristopher Weston
Chairman of White Horse Capital
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About : Corporate capital raising and M&A
Archie Norman
Chairman London of Lazard
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About Coles, Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Lazard, Marks & Spencer: Lazard is a financial advisory and asset management firm focused on income strategies, alternative investments, and private equity funds.
William Rucker
Chairman of Lazard
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About Lazard: Lazard is a financial advisory and asset management firm focused on income strategies, alternative investments, and private equity funds.
Adrian Patten
Co-Founder & Chairman of Cobalt
Adrian Patten is an FX expert and entrepreneur, having founded institutional spot FX brokerage Mako FX and served as CEO from its launch until its sale in 2014. Prior to this, Adrian was chief spot dealer at First National Bank of Chicago and has previously held the position of senior FX dealer at Deutsche Bank, UBS, Hill Samuel and Morgan Grenfell. As Co-Founder & Chairman of Cobalt, Adrian is involved in all areas of the company. The overarching business strategy and governance of the company with a focus on legal work, investment fundraising and product development.
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About Cobalt: Cobalt delivers a private peer-to-peer network that significantly reduces post-trade cost and risk for financial market participants.
Neil Scarth
Chairman of KITE EDGE LTD
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About : Customisable Search Platform for Asset Managers/Banks
Stephen O’Connor
Chairman & Founder of Quantile Technologies
Co-founded Quantile in 2015. Previously, during a 20-year career at Morgan Stanley, Stephen, a member of the Fixed Income Management Committee, held a number of senior roles including Global Head of Counterparty Portfolio Management and Global Head of Client Clearing. Stephen has served on numerous industry bodies including as Chairman of ISDA and he was a board member of GE Capital International Holdings Limited. He is currently a board member of the London Stock Exchange Group PLC, where he is Chair of the Risk Committee. He serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of the London School of Economics Systemic Risk Centre.
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About Quantile Technologies: Quantile helps market participants reduce their counterparty risk.
Helen Tarnoy
Chairman of Gridworks Partners
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About Gridworks Partners: Gridworks Partners is a development and investment platform.
David Livesley
Non-Executive Chairman of Oxford Technology Management
David Livesley is the Chairman of OT4. He worked in the life science and pharmaceutical industries before joining Cambridge Consultants Ltd in 1987, where he was involved with teams working across a range of industrial sectors. He currently works for YFM Venture Finance, where he is an Investment Director, responsible for technology investments from a range of funds managed by the YFM Group.
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About Oxford Technology Management: Oxford Technology Management specializes in making and managing investments in start-up and early stage technology-based businesses.
Alex Starling
Chairman of Oxford Technology Management
Alex Starling is the Chairman of OT1 and a Director of OT2, OT3 and OT4. Alex runs his own corporate advisory firm, ACS Technical Limited. He has helped a number of technology companies raise venture capital and, conversely, shareholders realise their investments in such technology companies. Alex has an interest (as founder and shareholder) in several young growing companies. He is a Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, has a PhD in Engineering from Cambridge University and holds the ICAEW Diploma in Corporate Finance. Alex has a young family and – when not fulfilling parental duties – enjoys doing whatever sport he can fit in to his schedule. He is also a trustee of Medair UK, an international emergency and disaster relief charity.
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About : Oxford Technology Management specializes in making and managing investments in start-up and early stage technology-based businesses.
Robin Goodfellow
Chairman of Oxford Technology Management
Robin Goodfellow is the Chairman of OT3 and a Director of OT1, OT2 and OT4. Robin had 30 years of experience in senior Accounting Manager and Internal Audit Manager roles with ExxonMobil International, Esso Europe, Esso Petroleum and Esso Norway. He has particular expertise in advising on and implementing cost effective controls across total company business activities and their accounting systems. More recently he has been an active investor and shareholder in VCTs, EISs and other small companies. He was a regular commentator on VCT industry performance and current VCT company issues. Robin has an MA in Engineering from Cambridge University and an MBA from the London Business School.
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About : Oxford Technology Management specializes in making and managing investments in start-up and early stage technology-based businesses.
Richard Roth
Chairman of Oxford Technology Management
Richard is the Chairman of OT2 and a Director of OT1, OT3 and OT4. He is a Chartered Management Accountant, and worked for two blue chip companies before he joined easyJet, where he was one of the key executives that transformed the business from private company to household name. He has worked as CFO for an airline, and most recently worked as the Director of Performance Management and Turnaround for the Monarch Group. He has also had a number of consulting assignments, helping companies determine their strategy, and implementing business improvements.
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About : Oxford Technology Management specializes in making and managing investments in start-up and early stage technology-based businesses.
Giles Keating
Chairman of the Werthstein Institute of Werthstein
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About Werthstein: Werthstein is a digital wealth manager which focuses on intelligent storytelling of investment ideas, called zeitgeists.
Martin Scott
Chairman of CreditLogic
Partner, Global private equity firm, the Riverside Company. Previously Partner and Head of Operations, KPMG – London; Investment Managing Director, Crownway Private Equity – London and Dublin; Consultant, McKinsey & Company – London and Dublin. Ph, D. Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence – Cambridge University; BA Computer Science – Trinity College Dublin
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About CreditLogic: CreditLogic is a B2B digital mortgage lending platform enabling banks to provide new mortgages faster, cheaper and easier.
Kamel Alzarka
Chairman & Founder of Falcon Group
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About Falcon Group: Falcon Group is a leading international financial services business
Gavin Littlejohn
Chairman of Financial Data and Technology Association
Gavin Littlejohn is a fintech entrepreneur with experience of developing innovative solutions to mass market problems. Gavin was appointed as Convenor of the Fintech Stakeholder Group of the UK Open Banking Implementation Entity in October 2016. He serves as a Director and Non-Executive Chairman of the Financial Data and Technology Association www.fdata.org.uk where he successfully led the campaign to have account aggregation added to PSD2. Gavin is well-renowned as the Founder of Money Dashboard, and acted as its CEO until July 2015.
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About Financial Data and Technology Association: The Financial Data and Technology Association is a trade association.
Roman Lokhov
CEO & Chairman of BCS Global Markets
CEO, Chairman, BCS Global Markets, Roman joined in BCS Financial Group in March 2012. Mr. Lokhov graduated from Novosibirsk State University and holds degrees of Ph.D. in Economics Carl v. Ossietzky University of Oldenburg and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA program. Prior to BCS, Roman was Head of Investment Banking for Otkritie FC. Prior to Otkritie, Roman was Managing Director of GL Moscow, where he had with responsibility for developing the firm’s eastern Europe business. Roman was a Member of the board RTS Stock Exchange 2009 -2011.
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About BCS Global Markets: BCS Global Markets is a financial service group that provides innovative and customizable high and low touch trading solutions.
Jonathan Rowland
Chairman and Founder of R8 Group
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About R8 Group, Redwood Bank: R8 Group is building the next-gen banking ecosystem for a decentralized economy.
Mark Suter
Executive Chairman & Co-Founder of Digital Vega
Mark has 30+ years of front office experience in the Global FX market. Mark has managed cash and derivative businesses for Chase Manhattan, Royal Bank of Scotland, Banque Paribas and Standard Bank. In 2000, Mark joined Dresdner Bank to help build and roll out the Piranha and Click and Trade online platforms. With a strong mix of experience in Option trading and development of online trading systems. Mark was approached by FXall to develop a multi-bank FX options trading platform; as the shareholding and business focus changed, the option project was shelved in 2007. Mark’s view was that an opportunity clearly existed, backed by increasing demand from a range of clients, partnering with worldflow, an e-commerce development specialist. He went on to co-found Digital Vega.
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About Digital Vega: Digital Vega is a privately held company operating the Medusa FX Option trading platform.
Greg Karpovsky
Founder and Executive Chairman of Stenn
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About Stenn: Stenn is a non-bank trade finance provider that delivers innovative solutions to unlock working capital for buyers and suppliers.
Donal Smith
Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of Credit Benchmark
Donal Smith Co-founded Credit Benchmark Ltd., in 2012. Donal Smith served as the Chief Executive Officer at Markit Securities Finance Analytics Ltd. from March 2008 to April 2012. He served as the Chief Executive Officer of Thomson Financial’s businesses in Europe and Asia at Thomson Reuters. He joined Data Explorers in March 2008. He served as the Managing Director of Thomson Financial’s banking and brokerage division joined at the end of 2001. He also served as the President and Chief Operating Officer for European and Asia Operations of Thomson Financial, Inc. He worked for the Financial Times Group as Managing Director of Business Information at FT Information and then as Director of Electronic Publishing for the FT Group. Donal Smith was responsible for the integration of Pearson’s portfolio of business and financial information services as well as the expansion of FT Group through acquisition and he was also responsible for the launch of FT.com as a global financial resource which quickly became the number one business website in Europe. He served as Chief Executive Officer of FT.com and member the Financial Times Group’s management board. He Co-founded eCountries.com in 1999 and served as its Chief Executive Officer and also FT Group’s Member of the Management Board. He serves as Non-Executive Chairman of Pirum Systems Limited. He serves as Chairman of BI-SAM Technologies S.A. He served as Chairman of Selerity, Inc. He serves as a Director of Selerity, Inc. He serves as a Non Executive Director of Commodity Vectors Ltd. Donal Smith serves as an Executive Member and Member of the Board at Data Explorers Limited. He served as a Non Executive Director of Trinity Mirror plc from March 1, 2012 to May 7, 2015. He holds a Degree in the History of Art and English Literature from University College Dublin.
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About Credit Benchmark, Pirum Systems, RIMES Technologies, Web Financial Group: Credit Benchmark is a financial data analytics company.
John Harley
Chairman of TradeRiver
John retired as a Partner in EY LLP in February 2011, having run its Global Client Strategy for three years and then its Global Private Equity group. He is currently a Member of the Panel of the Competition Commission, the Higher Education Funding Council Audit and Strategic Committees, Deputy Chairman of the University of Brighton and a Senior Advisor to Alvarez & Marsal for the Private Equity sector. He also chairs the Kent Investor Network, which provides Business Angel finance, and is an Advisory Board Member of Committed Capital, which provides Development Capital to SMEs.
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About TradeRiver: TradeRiver provides UK businesses with unsecured revolving credit facilities to fund purchases of goods or services within 24 hours.
Bob Jones
Chairman of Blue Motor Finance
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About Blue Motor Finance: Blue is one of the UK’s premier consumer motor finance companies, lending over £750m to over 80,000 customers.
David Heslop
Chairman and Co -founder of China Ventures
Co-founder and Chairman, David has extensive experiences in corporate finance and leadership management, has been working across many industries including automotive, financial services, confectionery, healthcare and advertising, etc. As investor, David holds various portfolio of interests including renewables, security, the music industry, housing and transport, etc. Prior to joining in China Ventures, David served as Chairman of MCL Finance and Chairman of AGL Finance, also held positions of Chief Executive of KIA (UK), Chairman of Mazda Cars (UK). David earned his MBA from London Business School in 1978.
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About China Ventures: China’s global deal marketplace and a leading China-centric investment community on the globe.
Patrick Reeve
Founder, Chairman and Managing Partner of Albion Capital Group
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About Albion Capital Group: Albion Capital Group is an independent investment manager with a long-term record of backing change and growth.
Susan McDonald
Chairman and Co-Founder of Calculus Capital
Susan McDonald, a former senior investment banker, has broad experience of company financing around the world, including 13 years of equity fund raising in the Asian capital markets. Susan co-founded Calculus Capital in 1998, a year later she co-launched the UK’s first Inland Revenue Approved Enterprise Investment Scheme Fund. Susan is one of the UK’s leading experts on smaller company private equity investment and has been a frequent contributor to CNN and other business programmes.
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About Calculus Capital: Calculus Capital creates and manages tax efficient private equity funds for individuals.
Andrew Irvine
Chairman of the board and Founder of MatchPlace Limited
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About MatchPlace Limited: New generation Fintech platform. Integrating Financial Services solutions, bridging the gap between Financial Institutions and SMEs
Thomas Balk
Chairman and Co-founder of StockViews
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About StockViews: StockViews is an investment research platform.
John Griffith-Jones
Chairman of Financial Conduct Authority
John became Chairman of the new Financial Conduct Authority in April 2013, and Chairman of its subsidiary, the Payments System Regulator in April 2014. He previously joined the FSA Board as a Non-executive Director and Deputy Chairman on 1 September 2012. John worked at KPMG from 1975 to 2012. He spent eleven years in Audit and fifteen years in Corporate Finance before becoming CEO of KPMG’s UK firm and subsequently Chairman and Senior Partner of the UK in 2006. In 2007 John became Joint Chairman of KPMG Europe. John is currently Vice Chairman of the National Numeracy Trust, whose role is to promote numeracy across all parts of society. He is a Council Member of Heart of the City. He sits on the Advisory Board of the Cambridge Judge Business School. He studied Economics at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He was the Chairman of the Every Child a Chance Trust, a special purpose charity which completed a major project, in collaboration with the Government, on numeracy in primary schools.
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About Financial Conduct Authority: Financial Conduct Authority News and information from Financial Conduct Authority. Account run by Comms team.
Hirander Misra
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of GMEX Technologies
Hirander is a Co-founder of the Group and also Chairman of GMEX Technologies. He is also Chairman of Forum Trading Solutions and Managing Director of Misra Ventures, a consultancy providing specialist senior level advisory services and helping firms deliver change in market structure, trading and regulatory compliance. Previously, he was the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Chi-X Europe Limited, instrumental in taking the company from concept to successful launch. At the time of his departure in February 2010, Chi-X Europe was the second largest equities trading venue in Europe, just behind the LSE Group and was subsequently sold to BATS Global Markets in November 2011 for US$365m.
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About GMEX Technologies: GMEX Technologies is a provider of multi-asset exchange trading and post trade technology through a unique partnership driven approach.
