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 Virtual Reality 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.
Steven Hartland
Senior Director, Sports & Live Entertainment of Unity Technologies
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About Unity Technologies: Unity provides multiplatform tools and services to developers of interactive content.
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Dima Roznouski
Sr. Director, Managed Accounts – Operate of Unity Technologies
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About Unity Technologies: Unity provides multiplatform tools and services to developers of interactive content.
Stephen Houston
Director and General Counsel of vTime Limited
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About Starship, vTime Limited: vTime is a virtual reality software company that develops apps and cloud-based solutions that redefine virtual engagement and communication.
Sam Higginson
Group Marketing Director of Immotion Group plc
Sam has a wealth of experience in brand creation and management, strategic marketing and communications. Sam began his carrier working for global advertising giant Saatchi & Saatchi, working primarily on the client Proctor & Gamble, the world’s largest advertiser. In 2009 he joined NetPlayTV plc, an interactive TV gaming company, where he was Head of Brand Development. Strategic media partners included Sky, Freeview, Channel Five, Virgin Media Television and ITV. Having left NetPlayTV plc, Sam founded Digitalbox plc, a new generation of digital media business with an established pedigree in emerging technology, data acquisition and analysis that has been harnessed with the ability to create and curate great content to entertain and engage audiences. In 2015, Digitalbox plc was listed #68 in The Sunday Times HISCOX Tech Track 100. In 2016, Digitalbox plc was listed again at #58, placing it in Britain’s 100 fastest growing tech companies two years in a row. Sam is a Director at M Capital Investment Partners. Formed in 2010, M Capital Investment Partners manages multiple real estate investments across the UK, with a focus on delivering above average returns for investment cash with minimal risk. He also holds the position Group Brand & Marketing Director at Immotion Group plc – a business that combines award-winning CGi animation with state-of-the-art motion platform technology to deliver mind-blowing ‘out-of-home’ immersive VR experiences. Sam is a graduate of the Lancaster University Management School having gained a BSc Honours in Business & Economics.
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About Digitalbox, Immotion Group plc, M Capital Investment Partners: Immotion combine award-winning content & multi-directional motion platforms to deliver immersive VR solutions for high-traffic destinations.
David Marks
Co-founder & Group Finance Director of Immotion Group plc
David co-founded Immotion Group with Martin, and currently serves as the Group Finance Director. With a degree in Law from the University of Glasgow and membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, David’s expertise in finance is a given. He began his career conducting corporate recovery and restructure at Arthur Andersen. Since then, David has been a prominent face in corporate finance in the City of London, working with UBS, Deutsche Bank and Nikko Principal Investments. He’s overseen the rapid international expansion of Monstermob Group in Europe, the USA and Asia as Group Finance Director, and is also an executive board member at Digitalbox Group.
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About : Immotion combine award-winning content & multi-directional motion platforms to deliver immersive VR solutions for high-traffic destinations.
Ben Dawson
VR Director of MelodyVR
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About MelodyVR: MelodyVR is a destination for music in virtual reality.
David Rowlands
Contact Centre Sales Director UK and EMEA of 8×8
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About 8×8: 8×8 offers secure and reliable cloud-based, enterprise-class business phone systems, unified communications, and contact center solutions.
Helen Lau
Digital Marketing Director of 8×8
Experienced Digital Marketing Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in emerging tech services. Skilled in multi-channel paid marketing acquisition and engagement and increasing brand awareness and organic rankings using digital marketing channels, Search Engine Marketing (SEM) and digital marketing analytics. Strong marketing professional with a degree in Business Information Systems focused in Programming and Network Design from University of West London.
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About 8×8: 8×8 offers secure and reliable cloud-based, enterprise-class business phone systems, unified communications, and contact center solutions.
Zarir Vakil
Non Executive Director of WRLD
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About : A 3D cloud-based platform of real-world environments to create digital twins.
Zarir Vakil
Non Executive Director of WRLD
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About : A 3D cloud-based platform of real-world environments to create digital twins.
Daniela Paredes
Co-Founder and Director of Gravity Sketch
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About Gravity Sketch: Gravity Sketch is a VR-based design and collaboration platform that allows distributed teams to create, share, and build in 3D.
Ian Monaghan
Development Director of rtobjects
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About rtobjects: “World Streaming” — delivering rich interactive visuals to everyone everywhere.
Neil Hutchinson
Technical Director of rtobjects
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About rtobjects: “World Streaming” — delivering rich interactive visuals to everyone everywhere.
Greg Furber
VR Director of REWIND
Before joining REWIND Greg worked in stop frame animation on Fantastic Mr Fox, Frankenweenie and Corpse Bride and as a senior director at ASB creating international broadcast commercials and animatics for brands including Burger King, Fairy, Coca Cola and Kellogg’s. Greg heads up the 360 degree production division at REWIND:VR working on pioneering projects for the likes of the BBC, NBC, Formula E and Sony. REWIND is an industry award winning tribe of vibrant creative technologists and digital artists focused on harnessing immersive technologies to deliver groundbreaking VR, AR, Animation, DOOH, VFX and 360 degree video projects for some of the world’s largest companies and brands. REWIND:VR is an approved content developer for Oculus (Rift), HTC (Vive), Sony (PSVR), Samsung (Gear VR) and FOVE. The team was invited by Meta to join its early access programme alongside being an approved filming partner with Nokia Ozo and Google Jump.
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About REWIND: REWIND is an award winning content production agency, working with bleeding edge technology to create unforgettable brand experiences.
Simon Windsor
Founder, Joint Managing Director of Dimension
Simon has been at the forefront of immersive technologies since 2011, launching several successful companies in AR and VR, and bringing state-of-the-art immersive production facilities to the UK. He is joint-head at immersive media company, Hammerhead, and at Dimension, a pioneering volumetric video capture studio and first Microsoft Mixed Reality Capture studio partner, focused on creating next generation virtual humans. Simon is also a director at TimeSlice Films, one of the UK’s leading multi-cam and capture solutions specialists, and prior to this he was part of the management team that launched AR technology platform, String. An award winning AR and VR producer, Simon has inspired and lead projects for companies including Disney, Nike, Sky, Audi, HSBC, Magic Leap and many more, and produced original VR titles including ABE and Syren.
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About Dimension: Revolutionary volumetric production studios for the creation of next generation digital humans, XR content and virtual production.
Morgan Page
Co-founder & Technical Director of Dual Good Health
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About Dual Good Health: Using virtual reality to train more people how to save lives
Simon Taylor
Co-Founder & Research Director of Zappar
Simon Taylor is a co-founder of Zappar, and the company’s Research Director. Simon graduated with a Masters in Engineering from the University of Cambridge in 2007. He went on to complete a PhD, also at the Engineering Department in Cambridge, entitled “Fast Object Localisation for Mobile Augmented Reality Applications”. Simon’s research focused on the development of fast algorithms for locating known objects in live camera frames from smartphone devices. This research resulted in a novel approach to the problem offering far superior performance to existing published work of the time. The approach was first published at the Workshop on Feature Detectors and Descriptors held as part of the IEEE Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, 2009. A demo of the approach on a smartphone was also shown at the conference, receiving a “Best Demo” award. Further updates to the approach were published at the British Machine Vision Conference, 2009. The conference organizers selected this paper as one of six to be extended for inclusion in a special edition of the International Journal of Computer Vision, published in 2011. Simon worked with Connell Gauld to integrate his algorithm into a full mobile app for AR content delivery. Together they founded Extra Reality Ltd in 2010 to pursue commercialization of their solution. After meeting Kirk Ewing and Caspar Thykier, they decided to form a new venture, Zappar, to offer a full AR content creation solution for big-brand clients. Simon has led the development of Zappar’s proprietary and patented Zapcode system.
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About Zappar: Zappar is a clever little app that can see and recognise images and objects in the world around us.
Christian Mastrodonato
Director Of Engineering of Digital Catapult
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About Digital Catapult: Digital Catapult drives early adoption of advanced digital technologies to grow the country’s economy.
Jax Ostle Evans
Managing Director of Stink Studios
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About Stink Studios, Stink Studios: A global creative studio for a digital-first world.
James Britton
Global Managing Director of Stink Studios
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About Creative Review, Kingston University, Stink Studios: A global creative studio for a digital-first world.
Dee Harvey
Founder & Director of Controvert
Over 20 years experience in interactive media production at the highest level, and a graduate of NYU.
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About Controvert: Controvert creates and develops media content using immersive technology.
Pierdavide Marcolongo
COO & Board Director of V-Nova
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About : Next-generation video and image compression that works today
Charlotte Mikkelborg
Director of Picture This Productions
Charlotte Mikkelborg first gained recognition as a BBC foreign correspondent but has more recently become known for her work directing, producing, and advising on social impact virtual reality and 360 film as well as on short and feature length documentary, docu-drama and animated films for clients including The UN, Channel 4 (UK) The History Channel, The Sundance Channel, The Discovery Network and Nat Geo. An experienced journalist and documentary filmmaker, she works predominantly on films about social change and social justice, in the UK and abroad.
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About Picture This Productions: Picture This Productions Directing social impact virtual reality and 360 film as well as short and feature length documentary.
Alastair Barrow
Co-Founder & Director of Generic Robotics
Alastair Barrow has over 10 years’ experience in the fields of haptics, robotics and simulation. Between 2004-2010 he worked as a research associate on simulation projects at the Universities of Reading and King’s College London alongside obtaining a PhD in Cybernetics from the University of Reading. During this time, he developed the technology behind the hapTEL project, a virtual learning platform that used haptics to train clinical skills in dentistry. This became the forerunner to one of Generic Robotics’ key products, SimuTouch. In 2011, Ally joined Dr Fernando Bello’s simulation group at Imperial College London, where he collaborated on a number of clinical training simulators and was awarded a research fellowship to explore the use of advanced haptic technologies. He joined Generic Robotics in 2013 as one of two directors and helped secure funding to propel the development of a range of training solutions combining VR and haptics. Alongside managing the multiple roles involved in running a start-up, Ally acts as Applications Lead within GR where he is responsible for the delivery of the SimuTouch clinical workstation and core software technology.
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About Generic Robotics, Imperial College London, University College London (UCL): SimuTouch is the first general purpose clinical skills training platform.
Ben Dykes
Director of Make Real Ltd
As one of the founding partners, Ben has spent over 10 years overseeing the big picture and plans for our client partners. With a strong commercial head and a technical background, Ben brings the strategic thinking required throughout the life of a successful project. Following an Industrial Design BA from the University of Teesside, Ben started his career in the world of Military Flight Simulation as an engineer at Evans and Sutherland, one of the most pioneering computer graphics companies founded in the 1960’s. Working on a wide range of industry-leading image generator and display system technology, this experience would prove invaluable as Make Real grew as a specialist VR & Immersive business.
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About Make Real Ltd: Make Real make state-of-the-art immersive learning experiences for use at work, at home and on the move.
Robin Scott
Director of Make Real Ltd
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About Make Real Ltd: Make Real make state-of-the-art immersive learning experiences for use at work, at home and on the move.
Tom Painter
Director of Bigman – London studio
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About Bigman – London studio: Bigman is a CGI expert studio bringing ideas to reality with still images, engaging animation or the latest cutting edge VR technology.
Benedikt Reinke
Co-Founder & Managing Director of Sympatient
Benedikt Reinke is the Co-Founder & Managing Director at Sympatient GmbH
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About Sympatient: Sympatient is building the first digital anxiety clinic.
Andy Etches
Co-Founder and Director of Rezzil
Andy Etches is the Co-Founder and Director of Rezzil.
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About Rezzil: Rezzil improves resilience ,performance and reaction times across a wide range of sports, from beginner to Elite level.
Adam Dickinson
Co-Founder and Development Director of Rezzil
Adam Dickinson is the Co-Founder and Development Director of Rezzil.
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About Rezzil: Rezzil improves resilience, performance and reaction times across a wide range of sports, from beginner to Elite level.
Gareth Thatcher
Technical Director of Rezzil
Gareth Thatcher is the Technical Director of Rezzil.
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About Rezzil: Rezzil improves resilience, performance and reaction times across a wide range of sports, from beginner to Elite level.
Alan Yeats
Technical Director and Co-Founder of Pocket Sized Hands
Experienced VR/AR and games developer. Co-Founding Pocked Sized Hands in 2017 where I work as the Chief Technical Officer leading our development team alongside working on business development and client outreach. With Pocket Sized Hands we have gone on to win the student award at Herald Digital Business Awards 2017 and reaching the world finals of the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2017 while also nominated for a game design award at the DC Thompson Game Design awards 2017.
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About Pocket Sized Hands: We specialise in creating bespoke applications and games using the latest XR technologies.
Pippa Halliday
Commercial Director of Igloo Vision
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About : Igloo Vision is the shared VR company. We create 360° immersive solutions and all of the enabling technologies.
Jon McLoone
Director of Business Development of Wolfram Research
Jon McLoone As Director of Technical Services, Communication and Strategy at Wolfram Research Europe, Jon Mc Loone is central to driving the company’s technical business strategy and leading the consulting solutions team. Described as “The Computation Company”, the Wolfram group are world leaders in integrated technology for computation, data science and AI including machine learning. With over 25 years of experience working with Wolfram Technologies, Jon has helped in directing software development, system design, technical marketing, corporate policy, business strategies and much more. He leads the technical services team who deliver data science and computation solutions for engineering, business and scientific sectors. Jon gives regular keynote appearances and media interviews on topics such as the Future of AI, Enterprise Computation Strategies and Education Reform, across multiple fields including healthcare, fintech and data science. He holds a degree in mathematics from the University of Durham. Jon is also Co-founder and Director of Development for computerbasedmath.org, an organisation dedicated to a fundamental reform of maths education and the introduction of computational thinking. The movement is now a worldwide force in re-engineering the STEM curriculum with early projects in Estonia, Sweden and Africa.
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About ComputerBasedMath.org, Staaff Ltd, Wolfram Alpha, Wolfram Research: Wolfram Research is a computer, web, and cloud software company that offers solutions for sectors such as education, R&D, and sciences.
Michal Konicek
Director of AccuCities
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About AccuCities: 3D London & 3D City Models for Planning, Architecture, CGI, BIM, VR, Games, 3D Printing
Previta Karthigesu
Creative Director of AlfredLah
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About AlfredLah: Virtual Reality + Food + Explore
Carl Guyenette
Creative Technology Director / Creative Director of Layered Reality
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About Layered Reality: Layered Reality is an entertainment company that uses a unique method to build experiences using three ‘layers’ of multimedia.
Marcus Pullen
Business Development Director of Blue Donut Studios
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About Blue Donut Studios: Blue Donut Studios develops stories for AR, VR, animation, TV, Games and Comics.
Mark Miles
Founder and Managing Creative Director of Rendermedia
Mark Miles began his career using 3D Studio for the DOS platform 1994, where the idea of a 3D environment in which to play and explore was fascinating. His career has spanned educational computer software and television, with contributions on projects in the educational arena earning BAFTA nominations and a BAFTA Award. The idea of taking higher-end CGI (more traditionally used in Film, TV and Games) was a genesis for launching a studio that focused on B2B in bringing businesses to life. Today, with 18 years heritage in CGI, Mark and his business partner Nadine head up Rendermedia, a Virtual & Augmented Reality Studio serving UK FT100 and FT250 with global operations bringing their business to life across AR, VR and Real-time applications. Made up of CG Artists, filmmakers, sound designers, animators and developers, Rendermedia supports global businesses in developing tools that are used across the entire operational structure of the client’s business. Mark’s team works in both commercial applications and R&D, keeping them ahead of the curve and allowing them to provide cutting-edge solutions that utilise emerging technology.
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About Rendermedia: Rendermedia is a leading, creative virtual reality agency.
Frank Noon
Director of UK360VR
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About UK360VR: This Virtual Reality technology takes photography to a whole new level.
Martin Pearce
Managing Director of Omega Business Travel
Our founder and inspiration, Martin’s thirst for quality is the driving factor across the whole of OMEGA˚.
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About Omega Business Travel: OMEGA BT is an independent business travel management specialist committed to offering the very highest standards of service and expertise.
Rosemary Reed
Co-Founder & Creative Director of Infinite Mixed Reality
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About Infinite Mixed Reality: Infinite Mixed Reality is a full-service virtual reality and augmented reality agency.
Nick Kuh
Director of Engineering – React Native / React of Automation Squared
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About Automation Squared: Automation Squared is a software development company.
Alex Harvey
Creative Director of Infinite Pixel
Alex Harvey – Creative director, Alex comes from the gaming industry, previously working for Codemasters working on the GRID series then Formula 1. Alex started his own production company in 2014 and specialized in aerial cinematography and commercials. This has now moved into the VR space and the company is now creating 360 video for multiple clients as well as photorealistic VR training experiences for the UK blue light services.
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About Infinite Pixel: Infinite Pixel is a creative agency they craft engaging content, products and experiences for individuals and brands.
Alex Harvey
Creative Director of Infinite Pixel
Alex Harvey – Creative director, Alex comes from the gaming industry, previously working for Codemasters working on the GRID series then Formula 1. Alex started his own production company in 2014 and specialized in aerial cinematography and commercials. This has now moved into the VR space and the company is now creating 360 video for multiple clients as well as photorealistic VR training experiences for the UK blue light services.
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About Infinite Pixel: Infinite Pixel is a creative agency they craft engaging content, products and experiences for individuals and brands.
Will Murray
Marketing Director of Skyguard Limited
Skyguard provides Europe’s premier personal safety service for lone workers and people at risk. We offer a range of state-of-the-art personal safety devices linked to our own purpose built UK based, 24/7 Incident Management Centre certified to the highest lone working industry standards (BS 8484, BS 5979 Category 2). Our devices incorporate GSM 2-way audio as well as GPS technology so that we know your precise location, and are accredited by ACPO’s Secured by Design. As the UK’s only end-to-end service provider we can tailor our solutions to suit any organisations’ requirements. Our service is so good, over half of all the UK’s Police forces use our devices to protect the most vulnerable in society. My responsibilities: – Setting the company’s sales and marketing strategy and budget – Managed corporate identity rebranding, with relaunched website, messaging and positioning – Developed two new websites addressing SME and consumer markets – Grow customer acquisition and retention through offline and online marketing channels – Appoint and liaise with Advertising, PR, and online agencies
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About Skyguard Limited: Skyguard provides Europe’s premier personal safety service for lone workers and people at risk.
Will Murray
Marketing Director of Skyguard Limited
Skyguard provides Europe’s premier personal safety service for lone workers and people at risk. We offer a range of state-of-the-art personal safety devices linked to our own purpose built UK based, 24/7 Incident Management Centre certified to the highest lone working industry standards (BS 8484, BS 5979 Category 2). Our devices incorporate GSM 2-way audio as well as GPS technology so that we know your precise location, and are accredited by ACPO’s Secured by Design. As the UK’s only end-to-end service provider we can tailor our solutions to suit any organisations’ requirements. Our service is so good, over half of all the UK’s Police forces use our devices to protect the most vulnerable in society. My responsibilities: – Setting the company’s sales and marketing strategy and budget – Managed corporate identity rebranding, with relaunched website, messaging and positioning – Developed two new websites addressing SME and consumer markets – Grow customer acquisition and retention through offline and online marketing channels – Appoint and liaise with Advertising, PR, and online agencies
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About Skyguard Limited: Skyguard provides Europe’s premier personal safety service for lone workers and people at risk.
