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 COO’ operating in the Advertising space. If you think a COO’ 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.
Aly Nurmohamed
Chief Operating Officer of Permutive
Aly Nurmohamed is the Chief Operating Officer at Permutive.
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About Permutive: Permutive is an audience platform for advertisers and publishers to plan, build, and activate cohorts while keeping everyone’s data safe.
Daniel Sagi
COO of Kape Technologies
COO at Crossrider
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About Kape Technologies: Kape Technologies is an online distribution and digital product hub.
Joe Bachle-Morris
Co-Founder and COO of Admix
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About Admix: Admix is the first programmatic monetisation platform for in-game advertising
Jim Hytner
Global Chief Operating Officer of IPG Mediabrands
Jim understands what needs to be done to get results for our network and clients. He’s held a variety of roles within UM, Initiative and most recently served as CEO IPG Mediabrands G-14 and President, Global Clients, where he held responsibility for brands headquartered outside of the US, including AB InBev, Unilever and BMW. Jim is a graduate of Wharton Business School, a proud Trustee of Comic Relief, the Chairman of Logan Sports, a member of the Commercial Committee at BAFTA.
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About IPG Mediabrands: IPG Mediabrands is committed to driving automated buying, pay-for-performance, and digital innovation solutions.
Karen Peett
EA to Global COO & EMEA CEO of IPG Mediabrands
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About IPG Mediabrands: IPG Mediabrands is committed to driving automated buying, pay-for-performance, and digital innovation solutions.
Maggie Frost
Group COO & UK CFO of VCCP Group
Maggie qualified at KPMG whilst working on advertising clients. She left KPMG to join a privately owned agency called Clark & Taylor Plc as its Finance Director where she stayed for eight years until the agency was sold to AMV/BBDO. Following that, Maggie joined Chime as Finance Director of its advertising and marketing services division, AMS. She then moved to VCCP in 2006 as joint Finance Director when the company had 200 employees. In July 2012 Maggie became Group CFO and now oversees all things Financial, HR, Legal, Facilities and IT as well as overseeing the finances of VCCP’s International offices. Maggie is a Fellow of the IPA and is Honorary Treasurer of the IPA. She spends any spare time playing Candy Crush much to the disgust of her 6 year old daughter!
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About VCCP Group: VCCP Group provides directory for top marketers, agencies, media companies.
Peter Polster
Intl Chief Operating Officer of VCCP Group
Peter graduated with an MBA in his native Vienna and has worked ever since in the communications industry, mostly on the agency side. He is a true cosmopolite who has lived and worked in Vienna, Los Angeles, Amsterdam, Paris and London where he managed numerous global and pan-European brands. Not least because of his background, he has a great knowledge of what it takes to succeed as a brand when crossing borders and transcending cultures while being relevant to local markets. Peter joined VCCP in 2004 and is responsible for the international business of the agency.
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About VCCP Group: VCCP Group provides directory for top marketers, agencies, media companies.
Laura Bowen
COO & Co-Founder of Admedo
LAURA BOWEN co-founding a fast-growing adtech startup in 2013 is no mean feat. Laura’s entrepreneurial flair and strong work ethic sees her sit at the helm of operations. Fully immersed in every aspect of the company as well as the adtech space, Laura’s motivation and passion for innovation helps shape and drive forward Admedo’s strategy.
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About Admedo: Admedo is a self-serve online advertising platform that focuses on developing performance-driven tools.
Gummi Eggertsson
Co-Founder,COO & CFO of Takumi
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About Sidekick Health, Takumi: Takumi is a platform that gives large brands and advertising agencies access to branded influencer creative at scale.
Steve Butterworth
Partner & Chief Operating Officer of Kameleon
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About Kameleon: Kameleon is an award-winning Content Marketing agency
Michelle Kingsley
COO of Showroom
Michelle runs the teams and processes that commercialise and scale the Showroom network. She has a senior level background in negotiating and closing high value commercial transactions, and in project management. She is responsible for operations, leadership of sales and business development, and legal and contracts. Previously a senior corporate lawyer in London, Michelle holds degrees from the University of Oxford and the London School of Economics.
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About Showroom: Showroom is a distributed marketplace, allowing products to be sold wherever there is a relevant audience for them.
Stacey Edwards
COO, CFO & Director of Ad-Lib.io
Stacey Edwards is the COO, CFO and Director at Ad-Lib.io.
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About Ad-Lib.io: Powering Creative Effectiveness
Sophie Newton
Co-Founder and COO of Brainlabs
Sophie Studied mathematics at Oxford and graduated top of her year, winning the Gibbs Prize. She first Worked in strategy consulting, Where She Advised FTSE 100 boards on Their executive remuneration packages, Ensuring alignment with company strategy. After a year at galas directing Reviews some of the UK’s Largest goings, Including the Royal Opera House, she Moved in to the exciting world of PPC. As a Director and Head of Innovation at Brainlabs, her task is to revolutionize paid search marketing through mathematical. Sophie has-been Invited to speak at SMX East and HeroConf, Where She Was named ‘most actionable speaker’, and has-been Recognised as a leading woman in advertising, Recently winning the Women of Tomorrow awards.
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About Brainlabs: Brainlabs is a data-led marketing agency, helping businesses build experimentation-led marketing through display, CRO and analytics.
Jo Parker
COO of Chime Communications PLC
Jo was a founding member of Teamspirit, the financial services specialist, full service agency that became part of Chime in 1999 and has worked in specialist agencies for over 25 years. She has always believed that specialist agencies best service clients that work in complex markets. She is a passionate advocate of integrated marketing and has developed Teamspirit’s offering to cover paid, earned and owned media. Seven years ago she set up Teamspirit Public Relations of which she is Chairman, which is now the second largest Financial Services PR agency in the UK. She is CEO of the Chime Specialist Group, a group of six specialist agencies that cover financial services, TMT, sustainability and media planning. Jo also chairs Chime’s Youth Board and is on the Advisory Board of the Financial Services Forum.
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About Chime Communications PLC: Chime is an international communications and sports marketing group.
Gareth Cadwallader
Interim COO of Akkroo
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About Akkroo: A universal, customisable lead capture solution that helps businesses maximise their return on exhibiting at events.
Raphael Queisser
COO of Dianomi
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About Dianomi: Dianomi is a global leader in content marketing.
Mark Bond
Chief Operating Officer of Croud
– Customer focussed commercial leader with B2B and Consumer P&L experience in senior sales, marketing, strategy and customer operations roles. – Experience of large scale digital transformation and numerous “turnaround’ roles. – Involved in a number of ac
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About Croud: Croud is a digital marketing agency that provides services including SEO, PPC, content, programmatic, paid social, and analytics
Mark Bond
Chief Operating Officer of Croud
– Customer focussed commercial leader with B2B and Consumer P&L experience in senior sales, marketing, strategy and customer operations roles. – Experience of large scale digital transformation and numerous “turnaround’ roles. – Involved in a number of ac
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About Croud: Croud is a digital marketing agency that provides services including SEO, PPC, content, programmatic, paid social, and analytics
Mark Howley
COO Publicis Media & CEO Starcom UK of Publicis Media
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About Publicis Media: Publicis Media India company’s specialized agencies and marketing services include interactive communication services.
Steve Denner
Founder and COO of Adestra
Steve is highly experienced in developing and delivering email solutions, having led teams responsible for bringing five email applications to market. Since co-founding Adestra, Steve is focused on ensuring Adestra’s platform continues to be today’s best email marketing system and that Adestra’s clients receive the best support.
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About Adestra: Adestra is a trusted provider of First-Person Marketing solutions for global and growing brands.
Michael Taylor
COO of Ladder
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About Ladder: Full-funnel growth marketing powered by a custom growth technology.
Stephen Joseph
COO of Ocean Outdoor
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About Ocean Outdoor: Ocean is a media advertising company specialized in designing iconic landmark large-format digital banners in super-premium locations.
Hemant Ravishanker
COO of KF Beauty
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About KF Beauty: We identify, develop and market innovative products in the Health & Beauty sector.
Hemant Ravishanker
COO of KF Beauty
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About KF Beauty: We identify, develop and market innovative products in the Health & Beauty sector.
Oli Lacigova
Chief Operating Officer of EyeKandy
Oli has a Bachelor’s degree in business from the University of San Francisco, an MSc from the London School of Economics and a track record of leading large scale initiatives for the European Commission. A proven ‘behind the scenes’ leader, Oli gets things done and is a trusted advisor to the CEO and wider Board.
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About EyeKandy: EyeKandy is your ‘end to end’ partner for digital asset production, point of sale marketing solutions and creative innovation.
Tom Blah
COO of Codec
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About Codec: We help brands to discover and tap in to the pockets of culture that drive growth. Powered by award-winning AI.
Paul Fellows
COO of Partnerize
Paul brings more than 10 years of top-level product management experience to Performance Horizon Group and is driven by client success. He was one of the co-founders of the buy.at Affiliate Network in 2002 and helped lead the company through the sale to AOL, while focusing on the platform’s technical development and customized client solutions. Paul also previously served as Global Product Director for AOL, where he formed part of its Global Leadership Team.
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About Partnerize: Partnerize is the only partnership management solution for marketers seeking high quality, scalable subsidies to primary channels.
Frankie Kearney
Chief Operating Officer of Sliide
Frankie Kearney is the coo of sliide.
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About Sliide: Mobile technology company that work with MNO, MVNO and OEM partners globally to increase engagement, drive revenue, and decrease churn.
Dr Ingvar Kraatz
COO / Co-Founder of Bidnamic
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About Bidnamic, Dizinga: Bidnamic is a machine learning platform that helps retailers unlock the full potential of Google Shopping.
Joanne Lacey
Chief Operating Officer of AdInMo
20 years’+ experience in marketing, commercial and operational roles in the mobile industry. COO at InGamePlay start-up AdInMo, Advisor at MEF and Chair of Trustees at the charity Make 2nds Count.
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About AdInMo: Immersive in-game brand experiences. Programmatic in-game advertising and monetization platform
Diane Charlton
Chief Operating Officer of Once Upon a Time
Diane Charlton joined Once Upon A Time Marketing as Chief Operating Officer in 2013.
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About Once Upon a Time: Once Upon a Time provides impactful integrated communication solutions.
David Bell
Chief Operating Officer of Flux Outdoor
David Bell currently serves Flux Outdoor as chief operating officer. Prior to joining Flux Outdoor, David spent one year with Juliet Rogers Limited as advertising and media consultant. He also worked with Peter Layton and Associates as marketing adviser. David Bell holds a degree in marketing management from Northumbria University.
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About Flux Outdoor: Flux is the platform for data triggered billboard advertising. We help marketers use data to buy billboard space the right moment.
Mark Jameson
COO of BlueVenn
As CTO Mark has over 17 years’ experience in Solution and Application Development. Since 2000 Mark has presided over the development of Blue Sheep’s Extraction Transform and Load applications along with the creation of the UK Business Universe and its matching technologies. A veteran of multiple Marketing, Analysis and Modelling applications with Client Project Delivery also within his remit. Notably Mark has personal involvement with some of Blue Sheep’s largest clients and has overseen the delivery of the UK wide Public Sector B2B data environment.
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About Blue Sheep, BlueVenn: BlueVenn’s software provides real-time analysis of customer data that create highly personalized and relevant marketing campaigns.
Liz Wilson
Chief Operating Officer of Karmarama
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About Karmarama: Karmarama is a full service communications agency, combining creative excellence with technology-inspired solutions
Gill Smith
COO of Adimo
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About Adimo: Admio integrates with any form of marketing to make it shoppable.
Reggie James
Executive Director | Co-Chief Operating Officer & SVP of Marketing & Communications of Digital Brand Media & Marketing Group, Inc
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About : DBMM Group provides investment opportunity in the growing Digital Marketing & Social Media sector. Operating in NY, London & LA
Nathan Salter
COO of Optimise
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About Optimise: Global Performance Marketing Company
Laura Pollard
Chief Operating Officer of Mongoose Sports & Entertainment
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About Mongoose Sports & Entertainment, Mongoose Sports & Entertainment: Mongoose Sports & Entertainment is a specialist agency in sports and entertainment.
Mike Harty
Co-Founder, CPO and COO of PowerLinks Media
Mike Harty is Co-Founder and COO of PowerLinks Media, an open technology platform powering the creation, transaction and management of native advertising. Mike has a remarkable talent for technological innovation and entrepreneurial creativity, and a comprehensive understanding of the digital media ecosystem. His insights and expertise have led to PowerLinks’ continued success, with expansion across Europe and into the US. Mike began his entrepreneurial career in February 2012, co-founding PowerLinks with fellow graduate from the University of Leeds, Kevin Flood. Mike began his digital media career at a very young age. He cut his media teeth at just 14 years old by dabbling with affiliate marketing and classified ad sales, and has not looked back since. Mike is based in PowerLinks’ London office. Follow Mike on Twitter @Mike_Harty
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About PowerLinks Media: PowerLinks Media is an advertising platform that enables advertisers to deliver tailor-made experiences through multiple devices.
Mark Flynn
COO & VP Professional Services of Kainos WorkSmart
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About Kainos WorkSmart: Kainos WorkSmart is a leading provider of digital services and platforms.
Kathryn Corrick
COO and Research Director of Represent
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About Represent: Building the tools for a better democracy.
Catherine Ross-Davies
COO and Co-Founder of Makematic
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About Makematic: Connecting brands with education through exceptional content and distribution
Albert Millis
Co-Founder & COO of Virtual Umbrella
VR thought-leader. Twitter wizard. Business genius. Bertie is Virtual Umbrella’s COO. Responsible for project delivery. client acquisition. business proposals. and VR masterclasses. He’s at his happiest introducing people to VR for the first time and testing out the shiniest. newest tech there is. As COO of the company, he has worked on immersive technology projects with clients like Nokia, AT&T, OMD, Leo Burnett, Kaleidoscope VR, Mintel, Merge VR, Ruder Finn, Imperial War Museum, BBC, BBC Worldwide, Breaking Fourth, FCB Inferno, Psytec Games, and more. From supporting national tours of experiences like Unrest VR to helping bring huge domes filled with the very best interactive and VR tech to Edinburgh’s iconic George Street, he’s on a non-stop mission to excite audiences and businesses with the potential of immersive content. When he’s not client-side, he’s leading virtual reality workshops and talks across the world, including at prestigious industry events like VR Connects, Kaleidoscope London, and Develop:VR. In 2017, he was selected as one of the 10 foremost immersive technology experts as part of the BIMA Immersive Technologies Think Tank, designed to inspire, provoke and educate the wider BIMA membership on the power of immersive technologies. As a member of the BAFTA VR subcommittee, and a curator/consultant for a range of immersive technology exhibitions (e.g. Sheffield Doc Fest, FuturePlay, VRUK: VR Studio), Bertie’s work also allows him to take a prominent role in the development of up-and-coming industry talent, using his expertise to help highlight some of the country’s most exciting new VR content. Outside of Virtual Umbrella, Bertie is the co-founder of #HelloFounder, an online resource and support network for entrepreneurs. He has also been featured on the Yogscast Jingle Jam fundraiser for the past two years, being part of a team that raised $2.6 Million (2016) and 5.2 Million (2017) for charity.
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About Hello Founder, Virtual Umbrella: Virtual Umbrella The world’s first marketing agency for VR companies and brands. We also run awesome VR events in UK.
Faith Forster
COO of Vonto
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About Vonto: Vonto is an app that provides bookkeeping, accounting, and marketing services.
Mike Gadd
Chief Operating Officer of Kindred
Mike Gadd is the Chief Operating Officer at Kindred.
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About Kindred: Kindred is an impact driven tech company that has developed the world’s first sustainable app monetization network.
Keith Hawkins
Chief Operating Officer of Digital Innovation Group
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About : Digital Communications & Technology Group
Thomas Evans
Chief Operating Officer of EmailOctopus
Tom is the COO at EmailOctopus – a new and simple online platform, which offers you a cheaper way to send your email marketing campaigns using Amazon SES to send your emails. Previously, he was an early employee at Secret Escapes, focusing on their Product and Growth.
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About EmailOctopus, EmailOctopus: EmailOctopus is the low-cost, simple email marketing tool that makes it easy to grow your audience.
Philip Sanchez
Co-Founder/COO of Jeeeni
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About Jeeeni: Jeeeni is a multidimensional lifestyle service that connects users with businesses, services, and communities within one single app.
Joseph Morris
COO of Grad Diary
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About : Leading UK graduate scheme and job website with quality content and an unbeatable company database
Chistina Mulhall-Brown
Co-founder & COO of Adavow
Co-founder & Finance Manager at Adavow
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About Adavow: Adavow is a cloud-based platform that enables advertisers to pre-validate ad choices against a real-time, user transaction database.
Gary Neal
Chief Operating Officer of Smartology
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About Smartology: Digital advertising technology company
Gary Neal
Chief Operating Officer of Smartology
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About Smartology: Digital advertising technology company
