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 Manufacturing 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.
Charles Spicer
Chairman of Creo Medical
Charles is an experienced director of and adviser to public and private companies primarily in the med-tech sector. He is non-executive chairman of PuriCore plc, IXICO plc and 11 Health. He is a chair of the UK Department of Health’s Invention for Innovation (i4i) Funding Panel. Until recently he was a director of Aircraft Medical (acquired by Medtronic Inc. in December 2015) and Stanmore Implants (acquired by Stryker Inc., April 2016). He was previously chief executive of MDY Healthcare plc, a strategic healthcare investor and, prior to that, head of healthcare corporate finance at both Numis Securities and Nomura International.
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About City & Guilds Group, Creo Medical, Ixico, KwickScreen, MJ Hudson: Creo Medical is a developer of electrosurgical devices.
John Hughes
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Spectris
John Hughes CBE has more than 30 years’ experience leading global, high-technology businesses. He has significant experience of managing growth companies, especially those supplying complex solutions and services to business customers and the development of leadership teams. He previously held senior executive positions at Thales Group, Lucent Technologies and Hewlett Packard, and was non-executive chairman of Intec Telecom Systems plc, a non-executive director of Chloride Group plc and the Vitec Group plc. Until 2015 he was executive chairman of Sepura plc. In 2016 he stepped down as executive chairman of Telecity Group plc. Non-executive chairman of Just Eat plc. Non-executive director of CSG International Inc. and Equinix Inc. (both NASDAQ-listed companies). Ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society.
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About : Spectris is a supplier of productivity-enhancing instrumentation and controls.
Guy Hands
Chairman of EMI Group
Guy is Terra Firma’s Chairman and Founder. He is the Chief Investment Officer and sits on the boards of the general partner of each of the Terra Firma funds. Guy started his career with Goldman Sachs International where he went on to become Head of Eurobond Trading and then Head of Goldman Sachs’ Global Asset Structuring Group. During this time, Guy was a leading pioneer in the development of securitisation, extending the practice beyond simple debt instruments to include assets such as shopping malls, mobile home parks and distressed loans. Guy left Goldman Sachs in 1994 for Nomura International plc, where he established the Principal Finance Group (‘PFG’). PFG went on to undertake ground-breaking deals involving trains, housing and pubs, among other areas, using securitised debt to finance acquisitions. In 2002, he led the spin-out of PFG to form Terra Firma. Since 1994, Guy has overseen the investment of more than €17 billion in 34 businesses with a total enterprise value of more than €48 billion. Guy has an MA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Mansfield College, Oxford University. He was elected a Global Leader of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum in 2000 in recognition of his achievements. In 2012, Guy was named the 20th most influential figure in Private Equity International’s ‘100 Most Influential of the Decade’. Guy is the President of ‘Access for Excellence’, a campaign based at Mansfield College, Oxford which promotes the broadest possible access to higher education in the UK. He is a Bancroft Fellow of Mansfield College and supports the college’s Annual Hands Lecture. He is also a member of the University of Oxford Chancellor’s Court of Benefactors. Additionally, Guy is a Fellow of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
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About EMI Group, Terra Firma: EMI is a multinational music recording and publishing, and electronics device and systems manufacturing company.
Andy Neate
Chairman of Photongrow
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About Photongrow: Photongrow is a London-based electrical and electronic manufacturing company.
David Fyfe
Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of Bodle Technologies
David is a founder and Executive Chairman of Bodle Technologies. His career spans several top management positions in both Europe and the United States, and he has held board positions in several firms over the years. As Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge Display Technologies (CDT), he took a laboratory-based spin-off to a NASDAQ flotation and a subsequent $285m trade sale. David is also the Executive Chairman of Oxford Photovoltaics. As a resident of Jacksonville, Florida, David also serves on the board of Cambridge in America foundation.
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About Bodle Technologies: Developing SRD® technology for a low-power display of vivid colours that doesn’t look washed out in bright conditions
Peter Williamson
Chairman of FPE Global
Peter joined FPE Global as Chairman in August 2015. Peter is a graduate engineer, with an MBA. Between 1993 and 2010 Peter worked in various positions for BTR Automotive, Metzeler, Trelleborg, Xerium Technologies and IBP Group in locations in Europe, USA and Asia. Since 1999 he has worked in businesses owned by private equity, with Metzeler belonging to CVC and Xerium Technologies an Apax portfolio business. His final executive position was as Group CEO for IBP Group (a Sun Capital Partner portfolio business) and since then has worked as an operating partner for Better Capital and has a portfolio of Non-executive appointments, including FPE Global.
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About FPE Global: FPE Global are experts in bulk material handling and pneumatic conveying, bulk handling, FIBC filling and discharging.
Kazuma Kato
Chairman of Quantum Operation
Kazuma Kato is the Representative Director and Founder of Quantum Operation.
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About Quantum Operation: Quantum Operation manufactures and markets IoT sensors for the medical and nursing industries.
Jeremy Gibbs
Non-Executive Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Scientific Digital Imaging (SDI)
Jeremy Gibbs is a Non-Executive Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors at Scientific Digital Imaging (SDI) since June 2008. Jeremy was a Chief Executive Officer at Adaptivity Limited, a corporate finance boutique. Jeremy’s early career saw him obtaining management and consultancy positions in British Rail Engineering Limited, Edwards High Vacuum International and The BOC Group plc, all engineering or technology driven companies. Jeremy was a Non-Executive Member of the Board of Directors at Futuremedia plc from 1997 to 2001 and its Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1998 to 2001. Futuremedia was listed on NASDAQ. Jeremy was a Member of the Board of Directors at Synoptics from 2001 to 2008. Jeremy graduated (B.A. & M.A.) from Oxford University in 1978 in Engineering Science, subsequently qualifying as a Chartered Mechanical Engineer and Chartered Electrical Engineer.
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About : Scientific Digital Imaging designs and manufactures digital imaging technology.
Paul Cowan
Founder , Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Quotient Biodiagnostics
Paul Cowan is our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board of Directors. Mr. Cowan founded us through the acquisition of Alba Bioscience in 2007. He has a broad range of healthcare industry experience gained through over 15 years of employment within industry and investment banking. Previously, Mr. Cowan served as the Chief Financial Officer of Inveresk Research Group, a global contract research organization that was acquired by Charles River Laboratories in 2004. Prior to joining Inveresk in 2001, Mr. Cowan was a senior executive within the Investment Banking department of Bear Stearns & Co., where he led the European biotechnology practice. Prior to Bear Stearns, Mr. Cowan was a senior executive within the Investment Banking department of Morgan Grenfell (acquired by Deutsche Bank in 1990). Mr. Cowan received a Bachelor of Business in accounting from Queensland University of Technology.
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About Quotient Biodiagnostics: Quotient Biodiagnostics develops and manufactures products for use in transfusion diagnostics.
George Theobald
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Flame Tree Group
George Theobald is a Non-executive Director at FTG Holdings and currently the Chairman of the board. George has been the driving force behind the growth of a number of East African companies spread out across various sectors. George has lived in East Africa since 1983, after a commission in the British Army and a time in London working as a stockbroker. He worked as the General Manager of Lonrho Tanzania Ltd before founding Tatepa Ltd, where he serves as the Managing Director of the publically listed company (the largest smallholder tea and avocado producer in Tanzania). He is also the Chairman of Kariki Group (a group of flower farms) in Kenya and the Chairman of Nomad Group (a chain of safari lodges) in Tanzania.
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About : Flame Tree Group is a group of companies operating in Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Mozambique.
Rod Taylor
Chairman of Salunda
Rod is a highly successful entrepreneur having created the Seaward Group and grown it to be one of Europe’s most successful Instrumentation business before its acquisition by Metrawatt International GmbH in 2015. Rod has extensive experience of developing business in international markets which was recognised by a Queens’s Award for Enterprise in 2012. He has broad experience in the role of chairman and has worked as a non-executive director with many private, public and academic institutions. Rod is a graduate Electronic Engineer, FIET and was awarded an MBE for services to industry.
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About Salunda: Salunda develops robust, contactless sensors for use in very harsh environments.
Chris Hand
Chairman of Abingdon Health
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About Molecular Vision: Abingdon Health is an innovative technology-led company focused on providing rapid and near-patient medical diagnostic testing solutions.
Godfrey Ainsworth
Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of IQE
Godfrey Ainsworth qualified as a Chartered Accountant and was employed by Coopers & Lybrand before becoming an audit partner and then corporate finance partner with Spicer & Oppenheim. He founded Gambit Corporate Finance in 1992, a practice specialising in the provision of corporate finance services where he was Managing Partner until his retirement from the firm on 30 November 2009. He has held several Non-Executive Directorship appointments, including assignments for 3i plc and the Welsh Development Agency. He has provided advice to IQE (formerly EPI) since its inception and was appointed to the Board in 1997. He was appointed to the Board of IQE Plc in April 1999, and was appointed chairman in February 2002.
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About : IQE is the global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced semiconductor wafer products.
Murray Steele
Chairman of Surface Generation
Murray has a proven track record over 40 years of building businesses in the aerospace, automotive and energy sectors.
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About Financial Times, Octopus Apollo VCT, Surface Generation: Surface Generation is a privately-owned high technology and manufacturing company.
Dennis Millard
Chairman of the Board of Directors of Connect Group
Dennis’ former appointments include Chairman of Connect Group plc, Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director of Premier Farnell plc, Chief Financial Officer of Cookson Group plc, Finance Director of Medeva plc and a member of the Economic Affairs Committee of the CBI. Dennis has a broad commercial and financial experience in the retail, service, distribution and manufacturing sectors in the UK and internationally. Dennis is a member of the South African Instituted of Chartered Accountants and holds an MBA from the University of Cape Town.
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About : Connect Group is a leading certified supplier of production systems, printed circuit boards and cable assembly services.
Joel Rosenblatt
Executive Chairman of Buoyant Upholstery
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About Buoyant Upholstery: Buoyant Upholstery is a manufacturer platform for upholstered furniture.
Neil Smith
Chairman & Investor of imageHOLDERS
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About Cassini Systems, imageHOLDERS: Tablet Kiosk and Enclosure Manufacturers
Richard Farleigh
Chairman of Oxonica
Richard studied economics and mathematics, before working at the Australian Central Bank and then becoming an investment banker and hedge fund manager. In 1994 Richard branched out on his own as a private backer of emerging businesses. He has since backed over 50 young, mostly UK-based technology companies, including Amino Technologies, ARC International, Celoxica, ClearSpeed Technology, Cmed Group, Radiation Watch, Wolfson Microelectronics, Green Chemicals – and Oxonica. Richard is author of the investment book, Taming the Lion, and has appeared in the BBC series Dragon’s Den. He joined Oxonica in July 2007.
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About Oxonica: Oxonica develops and commercializes advanced nanomaterials for UV protection, security, and biodiagnostics applications.
Chris Wright
Chairman of Faradion
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About Aceleron, Carbon Air, Faradion: It is already impressive IP portfolio is growing and, with a wide range of products available
Gideon Harbour
Chairman of Optial
Before founding Optial, Gideon Harbour ran the London operations of a private investment trust focusing on technology and real estate. Prior to 1995 he was with the consulting firm McKinsey & Co working in the Sydney and Atlanta offices. At McKinsey he worked with clients in finance, insurance and the steel industry, specializing in change management. Gideon holds an MA from Oxford in PPE (Economics).
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About Optial: Optial is a successful global supplier of Enterprise-wide EHS, Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC).
Keith Cornell
Chairman of EnOcean
Keith works as the front-end man of Starship. He is responsible for sales and partnerships with commercial customers and local governments. When Keith talks, people listen, and soon thereafter they sign the dotted line. A veteran executive with half of his past career in telecom industry and another half in technologies, Keith has engineered growth in dozens of companies.
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About : EnOcean offers radio frequency communication and other wireless sensor solutions for use in buildings and industrial installations.
Bob Brittaine
Chairman & Director of CMI
Bob Brittaine, an electronics engineer by profession owned and managed a successful UK IT services company, employing 300 staff before selling it to a PLC in 2007. Bob continued with the new entity heading up Sales and Marketing and integrating his former company. He also is the President of Euroserv, an association comprising IT services companies across Europe, a post he has held for over 20 years. In 2010 Bob formed a consultancy business focused on assisting owner managers in achieving their personal aims and strategic goals. With these aims in mind, Bob joined CMI in 2012 as an investor and Chairman, as the business embarked on an expansionary phase to develop CMI into a UK National Managed Services business. With a wealth of experience and track record in the IT services sector Bob brings the pragmatic input and advice where needed and the energy to develop the business. With interests also in a Mussel farm, property portfolio and property development, Bob also finds time for gardening and following F1 motor racing
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About CMI: CMI is a company offering manufacturer business streamlining and growth services.
Peter Douglas
Non-Executive Chairman of PJD Group
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About PJD Group: PJD Group is one of the UK’s largest independent mechanical engineering specialists with the commercial experience and technical expertise
Kevin Sargent
Executive Chairman of Farsound
Kevin Sargent is the executive chairman at Farsound Aviation and Sterling Aircraft Product.
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About Farsound: Farsound provides consumable component parts for the aerospace engine sector.
Mike Reilly
Executive Chairman of ETher NDE
Mike was previously Group Managing Director of Sonatest PLC from 1989 to 2009, during which time the group grew from a $2m to $25m business.
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About ETher NDE: ETher is a manufacturer of Eddy Current Testing (ECT) non-destructive testing NDT equipment.
Trevor Smith
Chairman of Bedfont Scientific
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About Bedfont Scientific: Bedfont Scientific specializes in the design and manufacture of exhaled breath and gas monitoring instruments.
Barry Gillibrand
Chairman/Founder of Low Power Radio Solutions
Barry founded LPRS in 1985 having worked in electronic component distribution for many years. Barry brings with him a wealth of knowledge of electronics and wireless communications.
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About Low Power Radio Solutions: LPRS is a global leader in low power RF solutions for OEMs.
Dave Crone
Executive Chairman of Omega Plastics
Dave Crone has been involved in mould making for over 35 years. A time served toolmaker progressing through design and managerial positions to his current role, Dave offers a combination of managerial and engineering qualities to help Omega excel.
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About Omega Plastics: Omega Plastics the most advanced and technically competent toolmaker and plastic injection moulding company.
Eamon Donnelly
Chairman of Uform
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About Uform: Uform is a Antrim-based kitchen door and component supplier.
