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 Partner operating in the Commercial space. If you think a Partner 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.
Henry Newby
Partnerships Director of Superscript
Every business needs a bridge builder, and nobody does it better than Henry. With a ton of big brand partnerships experience under his belt, he’s taken to the startup life like a duck to water. Always ready to brighten your day with his dazzling sarcasm, you might be surprised he’s also a (drum roll…) fantastic percussionist.
Follow Henry Newby:
About Superscript: Superscript provides business insurance designed specifically to meet the fast-changing needs of small businesses.
Laura Fletcher
Head of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships in Theraputics of Deep Science Ventures
Before joining DSV, Laura was Associate Director of Cancer Research UK’s Commercial Partnerships team, heading the Strategic Alliances function which drives the charity’s strategic drug discovery and platform relationships with a range of commercial partners. Her other experience at CRUK and Cancer Research Technology over 14 years included transacting a wide range of significant licenses, collaboration, and spin-out deals. She holds a 1st class degree in Biochemistry and a Ph.D. in cell signaling from the University of Bristol and has additionally worked in academic and commercial research roles in the US and the UK.
Follow Laura Fletcher:
About Deep Science Ventures: DSV is a venture studio and a fund that develops a systematic, optimized approach to science company development and investment.
Hans Allnutt
Partner of DAC Beachcroft
Hans Allnutt is a partner and leads DAC Beachcroft’s cyber and data risk team. Hans is a litigation specialist advising on disputes involving financial institutions, professionals, technology, telecommunications and media clients. Hans’ practice includes national and international litigation, arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution. He is an expert on cyber risk and data breach incidents. Hans is also instructed by corporate clients on non-contentious data protection and privacy issues. For insurer clients, Hans advises on policy wording and claims under PI, D&O, Cyber and Tech E&O insurance policies. Hans is widely published on the topic of cyber risk, cyber insurance, data protection and information security. He is regularly invited to speak at industry and client sponsored events.
Follow Hans Allnutt:
About DAC Beachcroft: DAC Beachcroft is an international law firm specialising in insurance, health and real estate.
Nicola Fairbairn
Partner of DAC Beachcroft
Follow Nicola Fairbairn:
About DAC Beachcroft: DAC Beachcroft is an international law firm specialising in insurance, health and real estate.
William Allison
Partner of DAC Beachcroft
Will Allison is a partner in DAC Beachcroft’s Global Insurance group and heads up the firm’s Financial Institutions and D&O service lines. Will specialises in contentious and non-contentious insurance and reinsurance issues, including policy coverage, D&O, Financial Institutions, professional indemnity, cash-in-transit, commercial crime and BBB disputes. Will has been involved in many of the leading issues in the London and International insurance markets, including the Lloyd’s litigation, film finance litigation, the Icelandic Banking collapse, the Madoff fraud and the mis-selling of financial products including film tax avoidance schemes, UCIS, ETVs and Keydata. Recent experience includes arbitration and litigation disputes in the UK, Europe, Latin America and the US.
Follow William Allison:
About DAC Beachcroft: DAC Beachcroft is an international law firm specialising in insurance, health and real estate.
Nigel Adams
Partner of DAC Beachcroft
Nigel is a Partner in the Claims Solutions Group in their Fetter Lane London office. He commenced his career as a criminal defence / regulatory lawyer but his practice has evolved to the point he now specialises in the resolution of catastrophic and complex injury claims brought against private and public bodies, individuals and their respective insurers. Nigel’s practice covers all areas of motor, employers’, occupiers’ and public liability claims, sports injuries, as well as claims brought by secondary victims. With over 27 years’ experience of handling such matters, Nigel has gained considerable experience of amputation claims, head and spinal cord injuries, chronic regional pain syndrome and fatal accidents. Nigel has also been involved in a number of claims arising from accidents occurring abroad, as well as fraudulent claims, insurance coverage issues, claims against the MIB and under the Rail Industry Dispute Resolution procedure, and product liability claims (most notably an action on behalf of a number of insurers against a motor manufacturer for losses arising from defective motor vehicles). Nigel has developed a very close working relationship with a number of national and international insurers (most notably Zurich Insurance who have instructed Nigel on increasingly high value and complex claims for the last 20 years).
Follow Nigel Adams:
About DAC Beachcroft: DAC Beachcroft is an international law firm specialising in insurance, health and real estate.
Chris Baranowski
Partner of DAC Beachcroft
Chris Baranowski leads the Leeds SHE (Safety, Health and Environment) team and provides advice and defence services to individuals and organisations across a range of sectors, primarily in relation to corporate manslaughter and health and safety investigations by the Police and HSE. His services include providing initial advice and support in the immediate aftermath of a major adverse incident, legal representation at interviews under caution, advocacy work at Court and representation at inquests. Chris also provides regular training to directors and health and safety managers on the impact of health and safety prosecutions and the application of the Corporate Manslaughter Act.
Follow Chris Baranowski:
About DAC Beachcroft: DAC Beachcroft is an international law firm specialising in insurance, health and real estate.
Peter Allchorne
Partner of DAC Beachcroft
Peter is an experienced civil litigation Partner, specialising in complex motor injury claims. He acts for a wide portfolio of clients, from large composites to mono-line insurers, MGAs and large self-insured organisations. Peter has experience of leading large teams and, until recently he headed up the firm’s motor claims handling division based in the Newport office. Working closely with the firm’s Strategic Litigation Unit, Peter regularly commentates on motor market and civil justice reforms. He has experience of sitting on expert panels and chairing industry stakeholder meetings on issues including whiplash reform and automated driving. He is a key contributor to DAC Beachcroft’s acclaimed annual Insurance Market Conditions and Trends Report. Peter sits on the National Committee of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers, having previously chaired the Motor Sector Focus Team. He also sits on the Expert Audit and Peer Review sub-committee of MedCo Registration Solutions. As Client Relationship Partner, Peter manages the firm’s relationship with Admiral Insurance. He is also responsible for some of the firm’s largest commercial fleet customer nominations. Peter also leads the R&D hub, focusing on insurance claims innovation through collaboration with clients to deliver new commercial products and services.
Follow Peter Allchorne:
About DAC Beachcroft: DAC Beachcroft is an international law firm specialising in insurance, health and real estate.
Nigel Adams
Partner of DAC Beachcroft
Nigel is a Partner in the Claims Solutions Group in their Fetter Lane London office. He commenced his career as a criminal defence / regulatory lawyer but his practice has evolved to the point he now specialises in the resolution of catastrophic and complex injury claims brought against private and public bodies, individuals and their respective insurers. Nigel’s practice covers all areas of motor, employers’, occupiers’ and public liability claims, sports injuries, as well as claims brought by secondary victims. With over 27 years’ experience of handling such matters, Nigel has gained considerable experience of amputation claims, head and spinal cord injuries, chronic regional pain syndrome and fatal accidents. Nigel has also been involved in a number of claims arising from accidents occurring abroad, as well as fraudulent claims, insurance coverage issues, claims against the MIB and under the Rail Industry Dispute Resolution procedure, and product liability claims (most notably an action on behalf of a number of insurers against a motor manufacturer for losses arising from defective motor vehicles). Nigel has developed a very close working relationship with a number of national and international insurers (most notably Zurich Insurance who have instructed Nigel on increasingly high value and complex claims for the last 20 years).
Follow Nigel Adams:
About DAC Beachcroft: DAC Beachcroft is an international law firm specialising in insurance, health and real estate.
William Finney
Director of Commercial Partnerships of EMaC
Follow William Finney:
About EMaC: EMaC is a motor service plan specialist.
Jonathan Ford
Founding Partner, Chief Creative Officer of Pearlfisher
Never one to simply accept the status quo, Jonathan continually provokes and questions the world, inspiring Pearlfisher to create design that makes the future better. An award-winning designer and advocate of the power of creativity to inspire change, Jonathan has been responsible for creating some of the world’s most loved Challenger and Iconic brands, and for leading a successful series of #challengersandicons interviews with the people behind the brands of the future who understand the need to harness creativity and bold ideas to create success. Jonathan champions the art of brand design through all aspects of his career, including in his role as Trustee of the Haller Foundation. A continuous advocate of the power of a good idea, Jonathan speaks regularly on the brand, design and innovation conference circuit, on such prestigious platforms as PSFK and the World Future Trends Summit.
Follow Jonathan Ford:
About Pearlfisher: Pearlfisher is an independent design business with a single philosophy, 2 studios and 3 Partners.
Jagvinder Kang
Partner, International & UK Head of IT Law of Mills & Reeve
Follow Jagvinder Kang:
About Mills & Reeve: Mills & Reeve is a law firm can be a complex experience so we try to make things as simple and stress-free as possible.