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 VP’ operating in the Venture Capital space. If you think a VP’ 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.
Carlo Giovanni Biggio
Vice President of Accel
Carlo Giovanni Biggio focuses on Cloud, Fintech and Security businesses. Prior to joining Accel, Carlo was with Anthemis and Rocket Internet, focusing on early-stage European startups. Carlo is from Cagliari, Italy and graduated from Bocconi University and the Rotterdam School of Management.
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About Accel: Accel is an early and growth-stage venture capital firm that helps a global community of entrepreneurs.
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Elizabeth Van Den Berg
Senior Vice President of Insight Partners
Elizabeth van den Berg currently works as the Senior Vice President for Insight Partners. She previously worked at TMARA Group as the Non-Executive Director.
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About Insight Partners: Insight Partners is a private equity firm that invests in growth-stage technology and software companies.
Vojtech Horna
VP, Communications & Marketing of Index Ventures
For the past decade, Vojtech has advised start-ups and challenger brands of all sizes, helping them tell their stories. At Index, he provides strategic communications and marketing counsel to the firm’s family of companies, as well as the brand itself, throughout Europe and the US. His international perspective was shaped by an upbringing in Prague, an education in California, a career in San Francisco and London, and campaigns on both sides of the Atlantic. Some of the agencies that have benefitted from Vojtech’s expertise and skills include Edelman, Weber Shandwick, and Atomic PR (acquired by Grayling). His work in communications earned him PR Week’s “30 under 30” citation. He continues to be most inspired by the focus and determination of the entrepreneurs he works with every day.
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About Index Ventures: Index Ventures is a venture capital firm that helps the entrepreneurs turn bold ideas into global businesses.
Hamza Farrukh
Vice President, Macro Rates Sales of Goldman Sachs
Hamza Farrukh is founder at Bondh-E-Shams and a securities analyst at Goldman Sachs.
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About Bondh-E-Shams, Goldman Sachs: Goldman Sachs is a multinational financial services firm providing securities, investment banking, and management services.
Charles Chipchase
Vice President & Assistant General Counsel of Riverstone Holdings
Mr. Chipchase is a Vice President and Assistant General Counsel of Riverstone. He is based in London. Prior to joining Riverstone in February 2014, Mr. Chipchase was General Counsel of Tercel Oilfield Products, a private equity-owned oilfield services company specializing in providing drilling, completions, and downhole services to the oil and gas industry. Prior to joining Tercel Oilfield Products, Mr. Chipchase was an Associate at Vinson & Elkins LLP, where he focused on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions work in the energy sector. Mr. Chipchase received his M.A. in History from Edinburgh University and his Diploma in Law and Legal Practice from the College of Law. He is licensed to practice law in England and Wales.
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About Riverstone Holdings: River Stone is a private investment firm founded in 2000.
Kevin Wang
Vice President of Riverstone Holdings
Vice President at Riverstone Holdings.
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About Riverstone Holdings: River Stone is a private investment firm founded in 2000.
Moubin Faizullah-Khan
Investment Professional: Vice President of Apax Partners
Moubin Faizullah-Khan is an Associate in the Retail & Consumer team. He joined Apax Partners in 2014 and is currently based in London. Prior to joining Apax Partners, Moubin was an engagement manager at McKinsey & Co. in their London office, where he primarily worked in retail and consumer on a broad set of topics including strategy, operational improvement and due diligence. Moubin is a medical doctor, graduating from Imperial College with an MBBS (hons) and BSc (hons).
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About Apax Partners, GetGround: Apax Partners is an independent global partnership focused solely on long-term investment in growth companies.
Louise Sondergaard
Vice President of Apax Partners
Louise Sondergaard is an Associate in the Tech & Telco team. She joined Apax Partners in 2014 and is currently based in London. She has participated in a number of key deals including EVRY, where she serves on the Board. Prior to joining Apax Partners, Louise was an associate at McKinsey & Company in their London office, where she primarily worked on restructuring, transformation and strategy topics. Louise holds a MSc from London Business School (with distinction), and a BSc in International Business from Copenhagen Business School (summa cum laude; with joint degree from Chinese University of Hong Kong and University of North Carolina).
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About Apax Partners: Apax Partners is an independent global partnership focused solely on long-term investment in growth companies.
Vidur Narain
Vice President of Apax Partners
Vidur Narain is an Associate in the Retail & Consumer team. He joined Apax Partners in 2012 and is currently based in London. Prior to joining Apax Partners, Vidur was an investment banking analyst at Deutsche Bank in London, where he worked in the European Consumer & Retail group. Vidur holds a BSc in Government and Economics from the London School of Economics.
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About Apax Partners: Apax Partners is an independent global partnership focused solely on long-term investment in growth companies.
Mark Sykes
Vice President of Apax Partners
Mark Sykes is an Associate in the Financial & Business Services team. He joined Apax Partners in 2013 and is currently based in London. Prior to joining Apax Partners, Mark was a member of the Financial Institutions Group at Credit Suisse in London. Mark holds a BA in Economics from Trinity College, Dublin.
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About Apax Partners: Apax Partners is an independent global partnership focused solely on long-term investment in growth companies.
Gonzague de Lhoneux
Vice President of Apax Partners
Gonzague is an Associate in the Healthcare team. He joined Apax Partners in 2013 and is currently based in London. Prior to joining Apax Partners, Gonzague was a member of Credit Suisse’s Healthcare Investment Banking team in London, where he worked on various M&A and financing transactions. Gonzague holds a Masters in European Management from ESCP Europe.
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About Apax Partners: Apax Partners is an independent global partnership focused solely on long-term investment in growth companies.
Jesús Rueda
Vice President of Apax Partners
Jesús Rueda is an Associate in the Tech & Telco team. He joined Apax Partners in 2015 and is currently based in London. Prior to joining Apax Partners, Jesús was a business analyst at McKinsey & Company in their Madrid office, where he focused on Corporate Finance and Strategy across a variety of industries. Jesús holds an MBA from Columbia Business School (with honors) and an MSc in Industrial Engineering from Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (summa cum laude).
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About Apax Partners: Apax Partners is an independent global partnership focused solely on long-term investment in growth companies.
Andrew Waidhofer
Vice President of Apax Partners
Andrew Waidhofer is an Associate in the Services team. He joined Apax Partners in 2014 and is currently based in London. He has been involved in key deals including Azelis. Prior to joining Apax Partners, Andrew was a member of the Financial Sponsors Group at HSBC, where he advised private equity clients on a number of M&A, ECM and Leveraged Finance transactions. Andrew holds a Masters in Pharmacy from the University of Nottingham.
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About Apax Partners: Apax Partners is an independent global partnership focused solely on long-term investment in growth companies.
Abhishek Lahoti
Vice President of Sapphire
Abhishek Lahoti currently works as the Vice President for Sapphire Ventures. He previously worked at Dropbox as the Business Development and Distribution Partnerships.
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About Sapphire: Sapphire is a venture capital firm that partners with visionary teams and venture funds to build companies.
Stefan Dandl
Senior Vice President of TA Associates
Stefan also leads TA’s effort in German-speaking countries across sectors. He is fluent in German and Italian.
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About TA Associates: TA Associates is one of the private equity firms in the world.
Jérémy Dréan
Senior Vice President of TA Associates
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About TA Associates: TA Associates is one of the private equity firms in the world.
Bobur Ashurov
VP Operations of Piton Capital
Bobur joined Piton in 2015 as an Associate. Prior to this, Bobur launched a startup focusing on connected devices and worked as a management accountant in various financial disciplines. He is responsible for fund management as well as working on deal flow. Bobur graduated from the London School of Economics with BSc Economic History and Economics.
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About Piton Capital: Piton Capital is a venture capital and growth equity firm headquartered in London, United Kingdom.
David Nish
Vice President, Technology of GP Bullhound
Dave is Vice President of Technology at GP Bullhound. Prior to joining the firm, he was at worldwide transport and logistics firm APL. Dave also worked for managed services provider Green Fields Technology in London and IX Group in South Africa. Dave grew up in Durban, South Africa.
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About GP Bullhound: GP Bullhound is a technology advisory and investment firm that provides transaction advice and capital to entrepreneurs and founders.
Javed Huq
Vice President of GP Bullhound
Javed is a Vice President at GP Bullhound, based in the Manchester office. Prior to joining the firm, he spent 5 years at Rothschild where he advised on a wide range of UK and international engagements including private equity and corporate transactions, IPOs and fundraisings. Before that, Javed worked at Deloitte LLP in the Corporate Finance M&A Advisory team, focusing on a range of mid-market transactions. Javed graduated from the University of Manchester with a BA (Hons) in International Business, Finance and Economics.
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About GP Bullhound: GP Bullhound is a technology advisory and investment firm that provides transaction advice and capital to entrepreneurs and founders.
Michael Sim
Vice President of Fidelity International Strategic Ventures
Michael sources deals, conducts due diligence and carries out financial modelling to support the Principal Investments team. He is also helping to develop Eight Roads’ position in FinTech and manages its portfolio of listed stocks.
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About Fidelity International Strategic Ventures: Fidelity International Strategic Ventures invests in fintech businesses and technologies.
Julie Kainz
Vice President of Dawn Capital
Julie Kainz currently works as the Vice President for Dawn Capital. She previously worked at Salesforce Ventures as a Senior Associate.
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About Dawn Capital: Dawn Capital is an early-stage venture fund that focuses on investing in the enterprise software and FinTech sectors.
Ryan Jones
Principal & Vice President of HarbourVest Partners
Ryan Jones is the Principal & Vice President at HarbourVest Partners.
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About HarbourVest Partners: HarbourVest is an independent investment firm that provides innovative private equity solutions to institutional clients worldwide.
Tosin Awoyinka
Senior Vice President of Helios Investment Partners
Tosin Awoyinka is the Senior Vice President and part of the Investment Team at Helios Investment Partners.
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About Helios Investment Partners: Helios Investment Partners is a private equity and venture capital firm that focuses on African companies.
Jack Diamond
Vice President of Kreos Capital
As a Vice President, Jack supports the General Partners and Principals in the entire deal life cycle including assessing potential deals and performing investment analysis, as well as post-investment monitoring. Prior to joining Kreos, Jack qualified as a solicitor working in the City with a focus on venture capital and private equity. Jack holds a degree in law from the University of Sheffield.
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About Kreos Capital: Kreos Capital is a growth debt firm that provides financing solutions for high-growth companies across Europe and Israel.
Jack Diamond
Vice President of Kreos Capital
As a Vice President, Jack supports the General Partners and Principals in the entire deal life cycle including assessing potential deals and performing investment analysis, as well as post-investment monitoring. Prior to joining Kreos, Jack qualified as a solicitor working in the City with a focus on venture capital and private equity. Jack holds a degree in law from the University of Sheffield.
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About Kreos Capital: Kreos Capital is a growth debt firm that provides financing solutions for high-growth companies across Europe and Israel.
Chris Church
Vice President of Kreos Capital
As a Vice President, Chris supports the General Partners and Principals in the entire deal life cycle including assessing potential deals and performing investment analysis, as well as post-investment monitoring. Prior to joining Kreos, Chris worked as a Senior Associate for The Parthenon Group performing commercial diligence for private equity funds and large corporates. Previously Chris worked in the corporate finance teams of EY and Deutsche Bank in Melbourne. He holds a BCom in Finance and Economics from Otago University and is a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
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About Kreos Capital: Kreos Capital is a growth debt firm that provides financing solutions for high-growth companies across Europe and Israel.
Chris Church
Vice President of Kreos Capital
As a Vice President, Chris supports the General Partners and Principals in the entire deal life cycle including assessing potential deals and performing investment analysis, as well as post-investment monitoring. Prior to joining Kreos, Chris worked as a Senior Associate for The Parthenon Group performing commercial diligence for private equity funds and large corporates. Previously Chris worked in the corporate finance teams of EY and Deutsche Bank in Melbourne. He holds a BCom in Finance and Economics from Otago University and is a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
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About Kreos Capital: Kreos Capital is a growth debt firm that provides financing solutions for high-growth companies across Europe and Israel.
Anna McIlreavy
Vice President of Sard Verbinnen & Co
Anna McIlreavy is a Vice President in SVC’s London office. She advises clients on a wide range of special situations, including mergers and acquisitions, shareholder activism, regulatory issues, executive leadership transitions, litigation, and crises. Prior to joining the firm in 2014, Anna worked in the MENA region for UK Trade & Investment, where she was based in Abu Dhabi and led the UK government’s business relations with investment entities from countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait. In this role, she worked on cross-border transactions and regulatory issues across a range of sectors, including infrastructure, energy and real estate.
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About Sard Verbinnen & Co: Sard Verbinnen & Co is a leading strategic corporate and financial communications firm.
Ben Heubl
VP Europe of MedStartr
Ben is our EU Lead, advancing the MedStartr Model into Europe. A well-connected, avid networker with mad marketing skills AND is fluent in six languages, Ben is the “full package” and a perfect fit for the EU Lead role. Ben’s ability to forge collaborations, his experience, and knowledge in EU regulatory strategy aid his efforts. He also has been actively building out a Health Innovation Ecosystem in Europe, not only starting Health 2.0 Copenhagen, but also acting as a mentor for the Kairos Society K50, HealthXL StartupBootcamp Accelerator, and organizing TEDMED live events. Prior to MedStartr, Ben co-founded a health-tech startup while at Lund University and worked as a consultant for ICG. Ben has been innovating and creating a vibrant health innovation ecosystem in Europe and beyond and we are very pleased that he has chosen the MedStartr model for the next stage of his efforts. “My goal is to work and collaborate with partners and like-minded people to create and implement innovation, facilitate great innovation concepts and contribute value in successful and exciting companies that drive positive change for societies and create a better place for all of us.” – Ben
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About Institution of Engineering and Technology, MedStartr: MedStartr is a crowdfunding platform designed for the healthcare industry.
John W. McCullough
Senior Vice President & General Counsel of Harbert Management Corporation
Mr. McCullough joined HMC in 2006 as a Vice President and Associate General Counsel, and was appointed Senior Vice President and General Counsel effective March 9, 2009. Before joining HMC, he was a partner in the law firm of Balch & Bingham LLP and Associate General Counsel of a publicly traded client of that firm. He also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of McWane Science Center, a science museum and early learning center in Birmingham, Alabama. Mr. McCullough received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Washington and Lee University and received a law degree from the Cumberland School of Law of Samford University.
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About Harbert Management Corporation: Harbert Management Corporation is an independent investment firm focused on private & public market strategies.
Raymond Harbert Jr.
Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration of Harbert Management Corporation
Harbert joined HMC in 2010 as an Associate in Private Equity rising to Senior Associate in 2013. In August 2014, Harbert transitioned into a management role within Fund Administration while still overseeing the remaining private equity investments. He was elected to the HMC Board of Directors in 2017. Prior to joining HMC, he was an Associate in the Transaction Services Strategy Group of PricewaterhouseCoopers, focusing on buy side commercial due diligence. He holds a Masters of Business Administration and a BS in Finance, both from Wake Forest University where he was a letter winner on the track team. Harbert currently serves on the Board of the HERO Foundation (Harbert Employees Reaching Out), the Athletic Advisory Council of the Deacon Club for Wake Forest University and the Advisory Board of Oakworth Capital Bank. He previously served on the Boards of CES Holding Company, Inc., Precision Alloys Corporation, STX Healthcare Management Services, Inc., Dent-A-Med, Inc., Onward Behavioral Health, Inc. and Travis Body and Trailer, Inc.
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About Harbert Management Corporation: Harbert Management Corporation is an independent investment firm focused on private & public market strategies.
Samantha Glynne
SVP, Branded Entertainment (Global)/ Digital & Branded Entertainment of FremantleMedia
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About FremantleMedia: FremantleMedia is one of the world’s largest and most successful creators, producers and distributors of outstanding entertainment brands.
Kriti Madan
Vice President of Northleaf Capital Partners
Kriti participates in due diligence, execution and asset management of Northleaf’s infrastructure investment program in the UK and Europe. Prior to joining Northleaf in 2018, Kriti worked at KPMG in the Infrastructure Corporate Finance group in both London and Melbourne, where she was most recently an Associate Director, responsible for originating and executing infrastructure transactions. Previously, she worked at ANZ Bank in Melbourne as part of the Structured Derivatives group. Kriti received a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from the University of Melbourne. She holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
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About Northleaf Capital Partners: Northleaf Capital Partners is private equity firm that manages pension plans, endowments, foundations, financial institutions accounts.
Tatjana Van Vloten
Vice President of Pantheon Ventures
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About Pantheon Ventures: Pantheon is a leading global private equity fund investor. We manage regional primary investments, global secondary and infrastructure
Alec Murphy
Vice President, Project Management and Business Development of Capstone Partners
Alec Murphy worked in leverage finance at HSBC and Lloyds Banking Group in London for nine years, where he structured and executed senior loan financings for private equity buyouts in the UK and across Europe. Alec is a first-class honours graduate in business and finance from the Cass Business School in London. He has his banking graduate qualifications and holds numerous CISI certificates. He speaks English and French.
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About Capstone Partners: Capstone Partners is an investment bank that provides global fundraising and advisory services.
Ulyana Shtybel, Ph.D.
Chief Capital Officer and Vice President of the Board of HighCastle
PhD in Economics, Former Executive Director of the Warsaw Stock Exchange in Ukraine, Head of Banking and Financial Services Committee at the American Chamber of Commerce, commercial bank trainee with 180 loan specialists under supervision. Named the Digital Leader of the Year Finalist, London Regional Finalist for the Forward Ladies National Awards 2019 and Blockchain Leader Finalist for the Women in Tech Awards.
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About HighCastle: One powerful platform for private companies to manage investment workflow, equity and debt securities
Michael C. Bauder
Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer of Harbert Growth Partners
Bauder joined Harbert Management Corporation’s legal department in July 2006 as Vice President – Chief Compliance Officer and is responsible for ensuring that the firm’s policies and procedures are reasonably designed to prevent, detect and correct violations of applicable securities laws. Prior to joining HMC Mike served in a dual capacity as Chief Compliance Officer for Hancock Investment Services, and Horizon Advisers. With 20 years of industry experience Mike holds the NSCP Certified Securities Compliance Professional designation and series 7,4,24,63,65,53,27 licenses. Mike earned his BS in Economics from Florida Southern College in 1991.
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About Harbert Growth Partners, Harbert Management Corporation: Harbert Growth Partners is an emerging growth stage investor in tech and healthcare companies.
Allister Smythe II
Executive Vice President of Operations of Venture Beyond Capital
Prior to VENBEYCAP Allister worked at Lloyds Bank as a VP Operations following five years working in Investment banking at Jefferies London. Prior to Jefferies, he worked at Goldman Sachs. He is an alumnus of the prestigious King’s College in London. Outside of work, he recently completed 50 marathons, raising over $1 million for charities.
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About Venture Beyond Capital: Venture Beyond Capital (VenBeyCap); a private company, that manages the business interests, land holdings, & investments of Courtney Jordan.
