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 Professional Services 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.
Martin Bolland
Chairman of MXC Capital
Martin founded the private equity group Alchemy, serving as a Partner for 11 years. Martin is currently chairman of Capita plc, a FTSE 100 company. Martin previously held a number of senior operational roles in Lonrho and is a chartered accountant.
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About MXC Capital: MXC Capital is an investment and advisory group specializing in the technology, media and telecommunications sector.
Peter Rigg
Non-Executive Chairman of MXC Capital
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About : MXC Capital is an investment and advisory group specializing in the technology, media and telecommunications sector.
Stefano Aversa
Global Vice Chairman and Chairman EMEA of Alix Partners
Stefano is Chair of EMEA and Vice-Chair globally. A talented and highly skilled turnaround expert with more than 30 years of experience, Stefano works with investors, boards, and managements of industrial companies, developing business plans, driving financial and operational turnarounds, and implementing large-scale performance improvement programs.
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About Alix Partners: AlixPartners is a global business advisory firm of results-oriented professionals who specialize in creating value and restoring business.
Jeremy Anderson
Chairman Global Financial Services of KPMG International Limited
Jeremy Anderson is a member of the Board of Directors of UBS AG and UBS Group AG since 2018. He chairs the Audit Committee and is also a member of the Corporate Culture and Responsibility and the Governance and Nominating Committees of the Board. He was chairman of Global Financial Services at KPMG International from 2010 to 2017. He has spent over 30 years working with the banking and insurance industry in an advisory capacity, covering a broad range of topics, including strategy, audit and risk management, technology-enabled transformation, mergers and bank restructuring. He was the founding sponsor of KPMG’s Global Fintech Network in 2014 and is a regular participant at fintech events across Europe, the US and Asia. He joined KPMG International in 2004 and was Head of Financial Services KPMG Europe from 2006 to 2011 as well as Head of Clients and Markets KPMG Europe from 2008 to 2011. From 2004 to 2008 he was in charge of its UK Financial Services Practice. Prior to that, he served as a member of Atos Origin’s Group Management Board and as Head of its UK operations after Atos acquired KPMG Consulting UK in 2002. In this capacity he managed Atos’ consulting, systems integration and IT outsourcing services in the UK. She joined KPMG’s UK consulting business in 1985 and led the firm as CEO from 2000 to 2002, having previously been a partner in its financial services business. He started his career as a software developer with Triad Computing Systems in 1980. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics from University College London.
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About KPMG International Limited: KPMG is a network of independent member firms offering audit, tax and advisory services.
Ian Burnett
Non Executive Chairman of Stroma Ltd
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About Stroma Ltd: Stroma Ltd provides compliance services and software applications.
Gunter Dombrowe
Non-Executive Chairman of Adaptix Ltd
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About : Adaptix is transforming planar X-ray – the diagnostic imaging modality most widely used in healthcare worldwide.
Graham Gilbert
Non-Exec Chairman of Little Fish (UK)
Graham Gilbert is an experienced entrepreneur, CEO and Chairman in the IT industry, with particularly relevant experience in IT outsourcing as Founder, CEO and Chairman of ComputerLand UK plc, and now as Chairman and primary shareholder of Little Fish (UK) Ltd. When Graham is not mentoring Executive Management teams or deal-making, he enjoys skiing, travel and spending time with his family. Graham founded ComputerLand UK in 1989, a business that specialised in providing IT infrastructure support services to corporate and public sector clients. The business had four main product offerings, Managed Services, Project Services, Hardware Support and Managed Product Supply. Notable clients included O2, Experian, Comet, and Heinz. In September 1997 Graham floated the business on the AIM list of the LSE and continued to grow the organisation until it was sold to Capita in April 2008, with a turnover of £70 million with a PBT of £3.1 million. The business employed 500 staff (April 08) of whom about 400 were involved in service delivery. During the 19 years as CEO and Chairman of ComputerLand Graham gained a wide range of expertise and experience in a number of areas including, floating a private company, managing the board of a public company, fund raising, acquisitions, managing city and investor relations, designing and implementing innovative service offerings and maintaining the highest standards of quality and customer service. Since leaving ComputerLand Graham has become investor and Chairman of the following companies and works extensively in the Private Equity sector. Little Fish (UK) Ltd – A rising star in the Managed IT Services sector
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About Giacom World Networks, Little Fish (UK): Littlefish is an award winning and rapidly growing Managed IT Services Provider.
Vincent Boni
MD Newsquest Dorset, Hampshire, Cornwall, Salisbury, Chairman of NQ Pension Fund, President DCCI of LOCALiQ
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About LOCALiQ: LOCALiQ is a local businesses provide navigate the complexities of modern digital marketing.
Derek Banks
Executive Chairman of Liss Systems
A founder member and Managing Director (now Executive Chairman) of LISS Systems, Derek has spent all his working life, in a career spanning more than forty years, providing IT and Management Services to the Life Assurance Industry and the London Insurance Market from both an underwriting and broker perspective. He has been responsible for the introduction of significant application software packages (e.g. CAPS-I-L and LIFEfit) into the UK and European marketplace. He has held senior management positions within Life Assurance companies, Lloyds Broking firms and Application Software and Consultancy organisations operating in the Insurance market. Derek plays a key role in the development of LISSIA. He remains closely involved in the analysis, design and specification of major function for each new implementation of the system. He is also actively involved in the management and control of every LISSIA project.
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About Liss Systems: Liss Systems provides policy administration solutions.
