2018 Forum

Judy Naake MBE - KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Famous for bronzing more celebrity bodies than we've had hot dinners, Judy Naaké is an entrepreneur with a difference.
Most recently honoured with an MBE for services to entrepreneurship, philanthropy and the community, Judy has come a long way since starting her fake tan business from the back of her car!
Most recently seen as the subject of BBC2's much acclaimed 'Peter Jones Meets' series, Judy's story is an inspirational one. When she first discovered the St Tropez tan in her late 40's she was so confident in her product that she sunk all her savings in to the business, leaving her struggling to pay her gas bill. Today she is reported to be worth an estimated £30 million.
Before St Tropez became a household name, founder Judy Naaké had been involved with the health and beauty industry for many years, working with brands such as, Decleor, Darphin and Australian Body Care and she has always been a well respected personality within the beauty industry.
St Tropez achieved recognition by the Sunday Times Cool Brands awards and has won various magazine awards. Celebrity devotees of the brand include: Victoria Beckham, Donna Air, Cat Deeley, Billie Piper, Hermione Norris, Duncan from Blue, and Take That.
Judy is a confident and entertaining after dinner speaker and has appeared on various television shows. She also judged ITV's 'This Morning' Mumpreneur series and she is now in business with one of the finalists supplying specialist clothing for premature babies.
Judy is mum to her entrepreneur son Lloyd and she spends her time between her homes in Nottingham, London and Italy and is always looking for new business ventures.

Gerald Ratner - KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Gerald Ratner is a British household name and a well-known businessman. He is also a name associated with one of the business world’s biggest falls from grace.

Gerald Ratner took over as CEO of the family jewellery chain in the mid 80s, becoming one of Britain’s best known businessmen.

He transformed it from 130 stores with sales of £13m, to a public company with 2,500 stores and sales of over £1.2bn. By 1990, Ratner’s was the world’s largest jewellery retailer with profits in excess of £120m.

Following a high profile gaffe in which he described one of the products sold in the stores as ‘total crap’, he spent 18 months trying to do damage control but was eventually forced out of the business.

Gerald eventually bought and developed a health club which he sold 3 years later for £3.9m -this was the start of his comeback. He then started his online jewellery business, GeraldOnline which today is turning over some £25m 

David Solomon, Blueprints

An investment broker for equitable development projects, Blueprints are set out to disrupt Economic Development. Blueprints' global network of powerful influencers discovers and delivers proven strategies, providing a unique way to redefine investment that is scalable.

David has a background in investment banking with Salomon Bros and Citigroup, and combines this with his expertise in economic development and impact for emerging markets to head up Blueprints. He was the co-founder of the Financial Times Global Impact Summit, and the Co-Founder of the Nation Building Initiative.

John Bartlett, Jeeni

John Bartlett is Chief Technical Officer of Jeeni, a new streaming platform that provides a more equitable deal for both emerging talent and established artists. His mission is to help disrupt the entire music-on-demand industry. John was on the committee to oversee the entire migration from analogue to digital broadcasting in the UK. He was technical supremo for all BBC radio distribution and has provided similar solutions for Sky, ITV, Telenet and Microsoft.

Nina Carr, CHF Enterprises

Nina's focus at CHF is in promoting the CHF Media Fund and securing S/EIS investment to fund its suite of global Content developed and produced by CHF Entertainment (Pip Ahoy!, Daisy & Ollie), following on from the 40 year legacy and much loved international fan base of Bafta and Emmy winning animation giants Cosgrove Hall (Danger Mouse, Count Duckula, Wind In the Willows, Sooty, Noddy, Postman Pat, The BFG).

Her background is in Sales & Business Development for global, high budget television for major TV networks. She has worked as Development Producer and Executive Producer in both Broadcast TV and the Digital Content arena with over a decade of experience of end to end content creation - from raising significant finance, to IP development and advance sales to networks, to content production, delivery and global licencing & distribution.

Raimund Berens, Iron Box Capital 

Raimund is CEO and founder of Iron Box Capital, who specialises in the international finance raising and legal structuring of feature films, as well as all aspects of production management.

He has been involved in the production, industry financing and sales of filmed media content since 2001. Working across every aspect of a project and progressing in the industry from the ground up, he initially produced corporate videos for international and blue-chip companies, such as Unilever, PEC and Bird's Eye, while studying for his BA at Leeds University (2000-2003) and while gaining his Masters at the London Film School (2003-2005). Since 2005, Raimund has been structuring, executing and managing investments in the Film & TV business.

Daniel Rodwell, GrowthInvest

Daniel was a founding investor in GrowthInvest and Chairman of the Investment Committee since 2012. He became Managing Director in late 2014. Prior to this he worked in finance for nearly 20 years, managing institutional and private funds focusing on equities and derivatives. Daniel managed the UK division of Van der Moolen Equities AG and more recently founded the equity derivatives boutique Ten Derivatives LLP.
Daniel has been an Angel Investor for over 10 years, mentors high growth businesses and sits on numerous panels across the UK assessing such businesses. He is passionate about increasing efficiency in the alternative investment sector, having witnessed first-hand the automation of OTC and Open Outcry traded products in the late 1990's.

James Sore, Fund Twenty8

James has a degree in mechanical and electronics engineering with extensive experience in product and process design and development.

He has troubleshooted for some of the world's largest and most successful brands including Coca Cola, Hershey's, P&G, BAT and Johnson & Johnson.

James has a diverse and rounded knowledge of investments, including a strong understanding of IP. Having built and grown a number of SMEs, James has first-hand experience of the issues facing growth companies.

Steven Powell, Deepbridge Capital

Steven joined Deepbridge in 2015 after 2 years with Pro Media Consultants, where he spent over two years as a relationship manager responsible for fund-raising and investor relations. He has experience of raising money for tax efficient vehicles, and in establishing relationships with HNW investors and IFAs in the UK. Steven holds a BA (Hons) in Business Management and in 2015 completed the EIS Diploma.

Naz Craft, Shaow Foundr

Naz has worked for over 20 years in the financial sector having recently overseen the arranging of both private equity funding and direct equity funding of over £75 million; while in the past managing hedge funds and setting up international operations in the trading and distribution of equity related investments. Naz has worked and advised companies including Daiwa Europe Ltd and Sassoons Europe Ltd (broking and fund management) and was also head of global equities and equity derivative trading for Strategic Asset Management in Bermuda; head of equity derivatives trading for Credit Lyonnais Securities (now Credit Agricole) in Tokyo, Hong Kong & London; ran an international equity derivatives trading operation for Bankers Trust International (now Deutsche Bank), London & New York; Naz also worked for Citibank in New York & London.

Bruce Colley, Innovate UK

Bruce's role at Innovate UK is to help the SMEs and early-stage businesses we support at Innovate UK to connect with sources of private sector debt and equity finance. This in turn enabling them to commercialise their innovations and grow their businesses.
His early career was as Technology Director and Managing director of businesses in marine leisure software development and then e-commerce integration. Over the last 12 years he has focused on helping young high-growth businesses raise finance. This commenced with 6 years as Investment director for a regional business angel network, SWAIN and more recently over 2 years as a lead for the Access to Finance team for the GrowthAccelerator service across the south of the UK.

David Craven, Blackfinch Ventures

David is a veteran entrepreneur and portfolio manager, bringing 25 years' experience creating and growing businesses to deliver significant shareholder returns. He is a digital pioneer, having taken UK tabloids online, and co-founded and built Internet service providers LineOne (Tiscali) and Chello Broadband from start-ups. Other roles and achievements include: launching the first online editions of Trinity Mirror Group titles; co-founding United Pan-Europe Communications from a start-up to $1.5 billion IPO; and initiating and managing an investment portfolio for the Tavistock Group. Group. David holds a Master of Arts from Glasgow University and a Diploma in Journalism.

Alex Beck, Oxford Capital

Prior to joining Oxford Capital Alex worked at RAM Capital promoting tax efficient investments to UK intermediaries. Earlier in his career he worked at Columbia Threadneedle and served in the army with The Queen's Royal Hussars. Alex has a BA (hons) in History and Philosophy from the University of Exeter and is also a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst.

Peter Smith, BDO

Peter has audited and advised businesses in the financial services sector for over 10 years, working with a range of businesses in the capital markets and asset management sectors.
He is responsible for the audits of FCA regulated firms including broker/dealers, clearing firms, spread betting firms and commodity traders. Peter is well versed in the regulatory requirements affecting FCA regulated firms and conducts client money and assets audits on behalf of the firm. Peter is currently responsible for the audits of large international groups with a significant technology component to the audit and works closely with our IT audit team. Peter has strong technical and commercial experience of the sector and the issues it faces.
Peter also specialises in the audit of listed investment funds and is currently responsible for the audits of listed funds across a range of investment managers and administrators. All of these clients invest in unquoted and quoted investments covering a wide range of industries, sectors and business life cycles. He is a member of the AIC's VCT Technical Committee.

Mehjabeen Patrick, CHF Media Group

Mehjabeen has over 20 years' experience of working in senior finance and management positons. Currently the CFO/COO of Creative England, Mehjabeen oversees all finance, operations and investment activity for the company. Previously Mehjabeen worked as Director of Finance for United Nations Association and Stakeholder Forum- an international environmental NGO. At both these organisations she gained valuable experience of working with multinational and multi government organisations from across the world. Before this Mehjabeen worked as a senior banker for world's first and only Bank for women - First Women Bank. At the bank Mehjabeen led regional team and help grow the bank in its early stages of development. Mehjabeen has an MBA with majors in Corporate Finance & Financial Management. At her current role in Creative England Mehjabeen oversees all investment activity for the company and has a keen interest in growing its commercial activities and diversifying its income stream. Her passion lies in supporting businesses, helping them to grow, scale and prosper and enabling public and private partnerships to build and flourish. Mehjabeen lives in Bristol and married with a daughter who is at her first year of university studying Philosophy

Dermot Campbell, Kuber Ventures

Dermot Campbell's career as a wealth management professional has spanned 23 years across a range of disciplines, including management, private banking, financial planning, product specialisation and as an independent financial adviser. This range of experience and knowledge gained through high profile Directorships and management roles has seen Dermot's reputation as an industry expert and thought-leader grow considerably over the years. Since 2012, Dermot has been Chief Executive of Kuber Ventures Ltd, developing the business from its initial launch to the successful EIS investment platform that it is today.

Gary Butcher, Exact Financial Systems

Gary is the founder of Exact Financial Systems and continues to lead the company. Gary started his career in 1985, working for L Messel & Co, a City stockbroker. He then went on to positions at Midland Bank, Prudential and then ACT Financial Systems until 1995 when he founded Exact. Having now spent over 30 years in the industry, Gary is still keen to participate in all aspects of client implementations as well as product development. When not working, Gary can be found tinkering with classic cars, relaxing on his boat, cooking and DIY

Paul Munn, Par Equity

Paul is a co-founder of Par Equity, a boutique investment firm based in Edinburgh. A Chartered Management Accountant he has extensive experience
of corporate management, turnarounds, business development and active shareowner engagement. Within Par Equity Paul is focused on portfolio management with the emphasis on value enhancement and realization. In addition, he leads the firm's property investment activities. He has a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Glasgow.

Eloise Ellis, Aston Lark

With over 13 years' experience, Eloise's main focus is to provide a service that goes beyond the ‘traditional insurance broking' offering. By working with a number of firms in the SEIS/EIS and VCT space, Eloise is uniquely positioned to offer advice and guidance on a variety of topics, including insurance solutions and risk management to both Fund Managers and the companies that they invest in.

David Hall, YFM Private Equity

David joined YFM in 2000 to open its Manchester office becoming MD of its Private Equity business in 2003 responsible for the British Smaller Capital VCTs and the Institutional investment funds.
YFM invests up to £10 million at a time into both scale up growth capital investments and ownership change.
David's main responsibilities include all aspects fundraising and managing investments including Chairing YFM's Investment Committee
He follows all sporting things Wigan, both rugby league and football and by some distance the member of the Hall family least likely to be picked for Pictionary.

Belinda Thomas, Triple Point

Belinda is a Triple Point Partner and leads sales and investor relations. She joined Triple Point in 2009 to manage relationships with intermediaries, professional advisers and existing investors. She has worked within the financial services sector for 16 years. Belinda graduated from the University of Newcastle and is a qualified as an Accountant at PwC. She is a chartered wealth manager and a chartered fellow of the CISI. Belinda joined Triple Point after eight years at Schroders Private Bank, where she was a Client Director.

Grace England, Resonance

Grace is an Investment Manager at Resonance, where she currently leads the development of Resonance's Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR) Funds across the UK, as well as the Resonance Angel Investor Network (RAIN). This has included Grace taking a lead role in arranging the UK's very first SITR deal back in 2015 and, subsequently, in developing the Resonance Bristol SITR Fund - the first SITR fund to be launched in the country. Grace is now based in Resonance's Birmingham office where she is working towards the imminent launch of Resonance's second SITR Fund, dedicated to tackling poverty in the West Midlands through investment in Social Enterprise.

David Beacham, Goji Investments

Jake Wombwell-Povey, Goji Investments

Jake Wombwell-Povey, CEO, is responsible for Goji's overall strategy and performance. Jake has been working in the alternative finance, lending and wealth management sectors since 2012, giving him valuable insight as to how the sectors intersect and how investors can benefit from investing in lending. Prior to joining Goji, Jake worked at Grant Thornton in the Financial Services Corporate Finance team where he qualified as an accountant (ACA). Jake also chairs TISA's forum on Peer to Peer and Alternative Lending.

David Beacham, Head of Distribution, is responsible for Goji's Business Development team and strategic partners, focussing purely on the Financial Adviser and Wealth Management sectors. David has over 28 years years experience working in the regulated advice sector of Financial Services. Along with 3 years as an IFA, David has occupied similar senior Business Development roles at Just Retirement and Winterthur Life, to name just a few.

Charles Owen, CoInvestor

Charles is the founder of CoInvestor, a cloud-based software company connecting managers, advisers and sophisticated investors through best-in-class technology solutions to support the growth, access and distribution of tax-efficient investments.

Charles has extensive experience in growth company operations and funding. Prior to founding CoInvestor he was a founder Director of Cresco Capital, a corporate finance firm which provides advice to its corporate clients predominantly in relation to strategy and fund raising. Charles is also an Advisory Board Member for Seraphim Capital, a venture capital fund, and has previously been a Director of a listed venture debt fund.

Kieran O'Gorman, Deepbridge Capital

As Technical Partner, Kieran leads the Deepbridge Capital investment management team. With a wealth of experience in financial services, including institutional fund management within the Lloyd’s of London insurance community, and HNW private client stockbroking at Popes Stockbrokers (now Brewin Dolphin), Kieran has an in-depth knowledge of the private capital markets, involving capital raising, investor relations and communication, and is responsible for the fund-raising activities at Deepbridge. Kieran has been a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments since 2001.

Andrew Castell, Par Equity 

Andrew is a co-founder of Par Equity, a boutique investment firm based in Edinburgh.  Par Equity has been making EIS investments since 2009 and offers investors both an EIS fund and a non-discretionary EIS portfolio service.  A Chartered Accountant with extensive corporate finance and corporate restructuring experience, Andrew has responsibility within Par Equity for a range of operational functions and chairs the Investment Committee.  He has an MA in Jurisprudence from Oxford University.

Tom Wilde, Shooosmiths

Tom is the partner at Shoosmiths LLP who heads up the firm’s enterprise investment scheme and venture capital trusts (VCT) tax practice.

He is one of the UK’s leading experts in this field, with extensive experience advising investors and investee companies on structuring and implementing tax efficient investments, reorganisations and exits in compliance with the EIS and VCT regimes, ensuring that returns from investment are optimised. 

Tom’s in-depth experience also includes advising clients on share option schemes including EMI options, employee shareholder shares and company share option plans, as well as negotiating with HMRC on both contentious and non-contentious matters.

Kealan Doyle, Symvan Capital

Kealan has worked with venture capital companies for 15 years, both in a corporate finance advisory capacity as well as a fund manager.  He prefers to invest in a wide range of technology companies, but is also very interested in finding synergies within the Symvan portfolio of companies.  Company interests include big data analytics, fintech, SaaS, 3D printing and network security. Before his involvement in venture capital investing, Kealan previously lead a structured equity products team at HSBC, and has worked at Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch and UBS. Together with Nicholas, he has since founded his own entrepreneurial businesses to focus on VC investing. Kealan holds degrees from the London School of Economics and the University of Toronto.

David Newman - Delio Wealth

From offices in UK, Europe & Asia Delio help financial institutions leverage Delio's network, technology & expertise to scale and streamline the way they connect private investments with private capital. Delio digitise all aspects of private market activities; from origination to distribution and from transacting to reporting as well as connect clients together to access new capital or unearth new opportunities. Delio already work with three of the top 5 wealth managers in the UK as well as a broad range of fund managers, private investor clubs and angel networks; they are also the infrastructure underpinning UK Business Angels Associations deal sharing activities across its c. 200 member firms.

Prior to Delio, David worked at UBS and Barclays Wealth advising UHNW individuals and family offices on their investment strategy. David is a CFA Charterholder.