Ihab Al-Derzi
Non-Executive Director
A wealth management and finance expert with a proven track record of IPO, M&A and capital raising. Founder of a multi-family office, entrepreneur and investor, Ihab has more than 20 years’ experience sourcing, negotiating and closing complex business transactions.
Pablo Fernandez Blanco
Investment Director
Pablo has spent 15 years in Investment Banking in the UK and Spain in various areas, including strategy, investments and digital transformation. He is an MBA graduate and has spent the last six years focussing on Venture Capital and EIS investments, fuelling his passion for investing in impactful and transformative companies. In his spare time, he is a huge sports fan, both as a participant and a spectator, including golf, rugby (former Spanish pro player) and water sports (diving, sailing, paddle surf). Outside of the sports arena, he loves reading, travelling and cooking.
Paul Boon
Investment Director
Paul has 10 years’ experience advising entrepreneurial SME clients across many sectors, running the corporate finance departments of a Top 15 accountancy practice and a private equity boutique. Building on his nanotechnology and fuel cell research at Oxford University he focuses on the technology, engineering, medical and renewable energy sectors.
Graham Brown
Chairman
An experienced business manager and entrepreneur, originally from a senior position internationally with ICI, Graham set up AIMS Group in 1993, growing this into one of the largest health and safety compliance consultancies in the UK, which he sold to Alfred McAlpine in 2003. Graham was one of the founding directors of Scotia Wind, which was sold to Gaz De France in 2008, and is currently the CEO of Burcote Wind, an independent renewable energy company that specialises in onshore wind projects.
Simon Emary
COO
Simon has venture capital experience from both sides of the fence, as an experienced investor and as a director of VC backed technology businesses. A Stanford MBA, Simon was a founding partner of Hotbed, which became the UK’s leading private investor network. He is also an FCA who has specialised in corporate finance with Grant Thornton and as an independent advisor.
Stepan Galaev
Non-Executive Director
Stepan is a Cranfield MBA graduate who specialises in portfolio management and deal sourcing. Some of his clients include past and present Dragons: Nick Jenkins, Sarah Willingham, Jenny Campbell, Tej Lalvani, and Touker Suleyman. In his free time he is either cycling, reading or talks nonsense at the Wandsworth local.
Toby Ganguli
Investment Manager
Toby recently graduated from the University of Leeds with a First Class Mathematics degree. With a keen interest in investment he’s looking forward to putting his aptitude for numbers to good use, albeit when he’s not playing football or golf.
Rebecca Hodges
Relationship Director
Becky has spent 16 years in Investment Banking in the UK and Hong Kong, in various trade support and client facing roles. Most recently, Becky created and ran Client Relationship Management teams. When she isn’t busy working, you’ll find her hot footing it after her three young children and unruly Dalmatian puppy.
Andrew Irwin
Investor Director
Andrew has 20 years’ experience in EIS, VCTs and BPR: as analyst, investment manager, fund raiser, and private client adviser. He co-founded financial research business MICAP and is passionate about supporting entrepreneurs and identifying opportunities brought about by changing consumer behaviour. In his spare time, Andrew mentors small businesses and budding entrepreneurs.
Anthony Lusher
Digital Consultant
Since gaining a First Class Honours degree in Web Development, Anthony has worked with many exclusive clients on a freelance basis, including Jumeirah Hotels, WorldPay, Cranfield University, Beyond Analysis and others. With his extensive knowledge of web technologies, Anthony joined Growthdeck to assist our CTO with improving and optimising Growthdeck’s software. Anthony is also a proud father of a French Bulldog called Mylo.
Sigrida Petkeviciute
Marketing Executive
When Sigrida isn’t busy being Growthdeck’s resident photographer, she can be found designing marketing collateral, working on email campaigns, or updating the Growthdeck website. With a strong interest in finance, she previously worked in accounts and is currently studying towards her AAT accountancy qualification. Sigrida spends her free time cycling, appreciating a good G&T and growing carnivorous plants (despite being a long-time vegetarian).
Alex Robertson
Client Services Executive
Prior to working with Growthdeck, Alex worked with Boots Optician as a trainee Optical Consultant where he gained valuable skills in face-to-face customer service and administration. Alex is inspired by Elon Musk and his attitude to learning and creation. In his free time, Alex’s main interests are in Astronomy, Gaming and Music.
Nick Stinton
Investment Director
Nick has been investing in EIS and VCT funds for over 20 years, in early stage, growth and asset backed opportunities. Prior to that, he spent 5 years in SME corporate advisory roles. An INSEAD MBA, Nick is often found on two wheels but, for everyone's benefit, has hung up his lycra in favour of off-road baggy clothes.
Amy Shrives
Director of Business Development
Amy holds a degree in Economics and has over a decade of diverse experience in management and business development. Prior to Growthdeck, Amy built and managed a sales academy in a large IT company, and more recently raised finance for a commercial real estate group. In her spare time, when Amy’s not working on her latest property renovation project, she can normally be found sailing or at a yoga class.
Steve Talbot
Portfolio Director
Steve is an experienced corporate financier with nineteen years’ lead advisory experience, firstly with Grant Thornton and latterly with Mazars LLP. His corporate finance experience was predominantly with owner managed businesses and he is now focussing on investments in early stage entrepreneurial businesses.
Aman Thind
Relationship Director
Over the last 5 years Aman has worked for one of The Big Four focusing on High Net Worth individuals and family business clients. Aman worked closely with the Head of Family Business to help build the firm’s Family Business Consulting practice and often assisted on consulting engagements. Originally from Canada, Aman moved to the UK over 5 years ago to travel Europe and visit as many countries on this side of the world as possible! Aman continues to travel and embraces the culture of every country she visits.
Charles Williams
Investment Director
Over the last 10 years, Charles has built a proven track record as an entrepreneur, running and growing multiple international businesses in the UK, USA, Germany and the UAE. In addition, he has managed and overseen investments for Touker Suleyman (Dragons’ Den) and other angel investors. When not at work, his passions lie in adventure motorcycling, scuba diving and cooking.
James Wrighton
CTO
James helped create Growthdeck and is the owner of Lexicon Marketing, a specialist digital agency. He has developed online products and channels for many financial institutions including Barclays, Coutts, UBS, Credit Suisse and Standard & Poor’s. With three young children, spare time is a rare luxury.
Ian Zant-Boer
CEO
Ian is a well-known figure in entrepreneurial circles both in Milton Keynes and London. With huge experience as a corporate lawyer, business mentor, and co-founder of several private investor networks, Ian brings a wealth of expertise to his role at the head of the Growthdeck business. As a former player with Ipswich Town FC, hope of their return to the top flight remains undimmed.