The Team
The team delivering Understanding Finance for Business comprises a combination of advisors, entrepreneurs and investors - all with a wealth of experience in reviewing business plans, advising entrepreneurs, and investing in early stage companies.
Paul Anson was co-founder and COO of Inca Digital Printers where he created and grew a manufacturing and customer service operation turning over £25M. Backed by two prominent VC's, Inca was acquired in 2005 by Dainippon Screen providing a good return for investors and founders. Prior to that, Paul was with Cambridge Consultants, Michelin Tyre plc and Argo Cars.
Kate is an inspirational speaker, expert facilitator and author with extensive experience. Following a successful career with Barclays Bank, Kate now works with a wide variety of organisations, teams and individuals focusing on the core issues of Confidence, Clarity and Communication.
David Byford has been running his own commercial finance business since 2004. Prior to that, he worked for Barclays for over 20 years, mainly in business banking, where he undertook roles in client relationship management, training and area management. As a result, he has dealt with a vast number of businesses of all shapes and sizes both in good and bad economic times.
Andrea is a Cambridge-based venture market consultant that has worked alongside almost 350 entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial companies on pitching for venture funding and business critical deals.
Huw Edwards is part of Oxford Innovation's team of innovation advisors. His experience spans strategic and tactical aspects of knowledge transfer for the businesses, industries, public bodies and academic institutions, underpinning the international knowledge based economy.
David Gill was appointed Managing Director of St John's Innovation Centre in November 2008. Prior to that, he was a Managing Director of ETCapital Limited, following his tenure as a Sloan Fellow at the Stanford Graduate School of Business in California.
John's early career saw him working for a clearing bank and a London based fund manager. He also spent five years as a financial journalist at the Investors Chronicle and four years in financial PR but in for the last 15 years or so, his time has been spent advising young businesses, helping them to refine/strengthen their business model and secure funding.
David Moir graduated in Business Administration in 1974. He spent over 20 years in the manufacturing industry, first in international sales in the machine tool industry involved with global automotive companies and latterly in construction where he founded and built a substantial development business.
Richard is an innovative and entrepreneurial innovation consultant with over 30 years experience in business focusing particularly on finance, marketing and the supply chain.
Peter Newton had a long career with multi-national companies at director & senior management level. He also has wide ranging experience of working with high-growth SMEs.
Hugh is a qualified chartered accountant who has had a diverse career centred around finance, management and business development.
Janette Pallas is the Programme manager for the Understanding Finance for Business programme and she regularly chairs workshops.
Martin Rigby, is managing director of ET Capital Limited. He has been a venture capital investor for over 20 years making and managing investments in over 40 innovative technology businesses, principally in network services, software and hardware. Before founding ETCapital in 1992, he was an investment manager at 3i plc in Cambridge, specialising in making early stage technology investments.
Alex Smeets joined Oxford Innovation (part of SQW Group) in March 2007. He is based in SQW's office in Histon, Cambridge and is responsible for business development, innovation centre management, innovation support delivery and consultancy. Previously, he was an Executive Director of St John's Innovation Centre.
Miranda provides practical business development services for healthcare and biotech. She advises entrepreneurs, companies and universities on marketing, new venture development and technology transfer.