Investing in a business and sitting as a non-executive on its board can prove one of the most exciting career moves. This special event gives you the opportunity to connect with start-ups, specialist recruiter First Flight and experienced investing NEDs in small group discussions.
This is the evening to explore what it’s really like, understand the risks and share insight on finding and selecting the ‘right’ opportunities.
With a special introduction from our partners at First Flight, all attendees will gain a good overview of the start-up and spin-out board market and the in-demand requirements of NEDs in this space. We will also hear from several start-ups across a diverse range of opportunities to briefly talk about their projects and why investing NED’s add significant value.
Participants at this limited capacity event will then join small roundtables with a start-up founder. We will also welcome established investing NED to share experience, raise concerns and explore opportunities.
Our evening will end with informal networking time to connect more widely in a warm, supportive atmosphere.
Please note: This event is not a forum for directly soliciting investment, but rather seeks to build understanding of the space. All participants should be aware that should they decide to go on to invest it carries high risks, as well as the possibility of high rewards. Potential investors are strongly advised to take advice from a person authorised under FSMA who specialises in advising on investments of this kind and are expected to carry out their own due diligence.
Speakers
Ian Hobday, Founder and CEO, First Flight Non-Executive Directors
Ian is the Founder and CEO of both Startup-Gurus and First Flight Non-Executive Directors. After 21 years as a successful business leader in the corporate world, Ian has spent the last 12 years focused on helping fledgling companies turn good ideas into great businesses. Where Startup-Gurus provides mentoring and coaching for developing business leaders, First Flight gives them access to talented NED’s many of whom will go on to invest in these exciting startups. As an Angel investor himself, Ian provides a unique insight into how NED’s can help emerging businesses through leveraging their expertise, knowledge and networks to drive growth.
Rachel Tranter, Executive Director, Women on Boards
Rachel is a founding director of Women on Boards UK. She brings over a decade experience in non-executive board recruitment – both advising recruiting boards on their requirements and approach; and supporting our members to excel during selection processes. She has deep insight in public sector recruitment, as she sits as an Independent Panel Member for the Ministry of Justice. Rachel previously sat as an Independent Non Executive Director of the Amateur FA, combining her passions for football and governance.
Roundtable Chairs
Grant Aidoo-Nash
Grant serves as a Non-Executive Director at Spot My Talent, the World’s First Football Talent Marketplace and is also Governor of City of London Academy Shoreditch Park and a Board Member at Intercultural Youth Scotland.
Grant also holds the executive position of Head of EMEA Model Portfolio Solutions (MPS) Business Development at BlackRock.
Emma Blackley
Emma is a highly accomplished Director and Board Advisor, with a blend of global, Big 4 and advisory investment banking experience, now pursuing a portfolio career focused on non-executive director and board level advisory roles. She has expertise of working alongside entrepreneurial companies with an appetite to grow through innovation and partnerships.
Emma currently serves as a Non Executive Director at Moonlight Energy Ltd, an Innovate UK funded start up in alternative energy-related technologies, a role that she balances alongside her other non-executive roles as a Member of the Board of Trustees at Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest and Member of the Board of Trustees at The Bowlby Centre.
Sophie Richter
Sophie is Founder of start-up, AiKNIT. The company fuses digital material practices, cutting edge technology, ad a deep empathy for the human body, to create a paradigm shifting experience in the approach to healing musculoskeletal disorders.
Joseph Salama
Joseph is the Owner and CEO at Jack’s Garage, facilitating conversion of classic vehicles to provide an environmentally friendly recycling of older cars.
Sam Kamali
Sam is the founder of Myonerv, a created wearable device, to monitor and treat stroke-induced paralysis.
Emmanuel Igbinoviaosas
Emmanuel is the founder of Orb Connect which provides access to broadband in remote areas at an affordable price, leveraging unique technology.
Matt Lea
Matt is the founder Ornbo Ltd, the first true forecasting system for SME’s that allows for super simple business forecasting (using AI) and subsequent monitoring.
With thanks to our event hosts
