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 Director operating in the Sporting Goods space. If you think a 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.
Tom Seymour
Global Sr Creative Director of Nike
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About Nike: Nike designs, develops, and markets footwear, apparel, equipment, and accessory products.
Galahad Clark
Founder & Managing Director of Vivobarefoot
Galahad Clark is the Founder and Managing Director of Vivobarefoot.
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About Terra Plana, Vivobarefoot: UK-based shoe brand and Crowdcube alum
Pete Samara
Director of Innovation and Digital Technology of Formula 1
With over 20 years’ experience in F1, leading a number of key technical areas such as IT, Electronics, Software, R&D and most recently Digital Delivery & Technology. Pete spearheads a division covering many exciting facets; from delivering the transformation of F1’s digital platforms all the way through to developing new and innovative solutions that facilitate new and exciting content to F1 products. Pete is passionate about pushing the boundaries of existing technologies in addition to leveraging new technologies, ensuring they achieve real business gain and increase fan engagement in the exciting and challenging environment of F1.
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About Formula 1: Formula 1 is a auto racing league.
Matt Roberts
Global Research Director of Formula 1
Matt joined Eurosport as Head of Research in September 2008, before moving to ESPN UK in July 2010 where I headed up the EMEA Research team. After the sale of ESPN TV to BT in July 2013, Matt joined the BT Sport team in Stratford to set up the insight function for the brand new sports channel before joining Sky to head up their sports insight division. In 2017, he joined Formula One as Global Research Director.
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About Formula 1: Formula 1 is a auto racing league.
Paul Boanas
Director of Sales (EMEA & LATAM) of Catapult
Paul Boanas as Head of Europe, responsible for driving sales and business development in the key UK and European markets. Boanas is one of the key pioneers in athlete analysis, delivering innovative ways of assessing performance during his 13-year tenure with Prozone Sports as Head of Analysis Services, UK Account Manager and, most recently, Senior Account Manager.
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About Catapult: Catapult is a developer of wearable sensors to monitor athletes’ sport demands.
Pierre Sapin
Managing Director of BORN
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About BORN: BORN is the world’s first private B2B platform that connects a global network of design-led lifestyle brands and retail buyers.
Roderick Bradley
Director, Co-Founder of PlayerLayer
Bradley is a freelance artist and design urban clothing for Rudey Arts and new sportswear for PlayerLayer. Rod supports many charities including the Vitiligo Society and is a great supporter of sports in schools.
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About PlayerLayer: PlayerLayer is a designer and retailer of premium sports performance clothing.
Dave Vout
Director of Bike HUD
Dave Vout is a Founder & CEO at Bike HUD.
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About Bike HUD: Heads-up display for motorcycles – making riding safer and more fun.
Nick Larsen
Founder, Director of Charge Bikes
Nick Larsen is the Founder and Creative Director at Charge Bikes.
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About Charge Bikes: Charge Bikes design and produce a range of simple and unique bicycles, and components.
Shelley Lawson
Director and Co-Founder of Frog Bikes
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About Frog Bikes: Frog Bikes is an award winning British company dedicated to making cycling fun for children.
Michael Caine
Director of Progressive Sports Technologies
Mike was the inaugural Dean of Loughborough University London (2013-2018). Mike is currently on sabbatical working with colleagues at MIT on research pertaining to innovation-driven entrepreneurship ecosystems. Mike has a First Class Honours Degree from Loughborough University and a PhD from the University of Birmingham. He is a Professor of Sports Technology and Innovation and was the inaugural Director of Loughborough’s Sports Technology Institute from 2006-2010. Mike has collaborated with many of the world’s leading sporting goods brands, developing and commercialising new products. He is also the founder of two spin-out companies.
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About Progressive Sports Technologies: Progressive Sports Technologies maintain a highly skilled research and development team, at-hand to support your project requirements.
Richard Cook
Director of The Sportswear Group
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About The Sportswear Group: Holding company of innovative sports brands and media properties within the sportswear industry.
Dan Hodge
Co-Founder and Engineering Director of Bird Cycleworks
Dan Hodge is a Co-Founder at Bird Cycleworks.
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About Bird Cycleworks: Bird Cycleworks is a bicycle manufacturing company that offers its products online.
Philip Bingham
Co-Founder & Managing Director of Velo Vixen
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About Velo Vixen: The UK’s Leading Specialist in Women’s Cycling Kit
Peter Lillie
Co- founder and Commercial Director of GRN Sportswear
Peter Lillie is a co-founder and commercial director of GRN Sportswear.
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About GRN Sportswear: GRN Sportswear is a sportswear manufacturer out of recycled and sustainable materials.
Peter Lillie
Co- founder and Commercial Director of GRN Sportswear
Peter Lillie is a co-founder and commercial director of GRN Sportswear.
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About GRN Sportswear: GRN Sportswear is a sportswear manufacturer out of recycled and sustainable materials.
