Co-founder & Adviser play a crucial role in any startup. It takes an extraordinary person to fulfil the Co-founder & Adviser role. We have selected these Co-founder & Adviser’s for this list as they are inspiring for a variety of reasons – whether that’s pushing boundaries, creating groundbreaking products, or doing their bit to save the world.
Our analysts did their best to select be best, and most innovative Co-founder & Adviser’s. The list is in no particular order!
Rohan Silva
Co-founder & Adviser @ Hubble
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Rohan Silva is the co-founder of Second Home, the world’s most iconic working environment for creative companies. Rohan was previously Senior Policy Adviser to the British Prime Minister, where he developed some of the UK’s key enterprise policies, such as the Seed EIS tax break, Entrepreneur Relief and Entrepreneur Visas. In addition, Rohan created the Government’s ‘Tech City’ initiative to support the growth of the technology cluster in East London. Rohan was named a World Economic Forum ‘Young Global Leader’ in 2014, and is also Research Affiliate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Learn more about Rohan Silva on Crunchbase…A platform to search, set up, and manage your hybrid workplace Read more about Hubble on Crunchbase…
Jonathan Heilbron
Senior Adviser @ Highstead Partners
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Highstead Partners specializes in corporate finance, project management, M and A, and finance. Read more about Highstead Partners on Crunchbase…
Emma Thorpe
Communications Adviser @ The PR Office
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The PR Office offers public relations, communications, financial, media relations, crisis management and digital strategy services. Read more about The PR Office on Crunchbase…
Steve Jones
Adviser @ Sirenum
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Sirenum is a WFM platform for employers to put the right shift worker in the right place at the right time and pay the right amount. Read more about Sirenum on Crunchbase…
Paul Nickson
Senior Energy Adviser @ THE WORLD BANK
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Paul Nickson is one of the world’s premier experts on financing and developing power projects in emerging markets and served a Senior Advisor at RP Capital Group. Paul joined RP in September 2010 and spends most of his time in Africa on the advisory side of the business. From time to time, Paul also advises to the Public Private Infrastructure Facility at the World Bank. During his tenure of 12 years at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as Principal Power Industry Specialist, he appraised about 100 projects, approximately half of which were financed by IFC with resultant returns significantly exceeding the IFC global average. While at IFC he received several awards, including one for establishing the acclaimed Pamir Project in Tajikistan. He also spent five years at the World Bank, primarily developing programs to improve operational efficiency of public utilities.
Learn more about Paul Nickson on Crunchbase… Read more about THE WORLD BANK on Crunchbase…
Tony Blair
Senior Adviser @ Khosla Ventures
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Since leaving Downing Street, Tony Blair has served as the Quartet Representative to the Middle East. He represents the USA, UN, Russia and the EU, working with the Palestinians to prepare for statehood as part of the international community’s effort to secure peace. The Tony Blair Faith Foundation promotes respect and understanding between the major religions and makes the case for faith as a force for good in the modern world. Faith is vitally important to hundreds of millions of people. But religious faith can also be used to divide. The Tony Blair Faith Foundation is a response to these opportunities and challenges. The Africa Governance Inititiative delivers projects in Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Liberia, advising President Kagame, President Koroma and President Johnson-Sirleaf respectively on policy delivery and attracting investmen, with a team of his staff working full time at the centre of all three governments. As the first major head of government to bring climate change to the top of the international political agenda at the 2005 Gleneagles G8 summit, Tony Blair now leads the Breaking the Climate Deadlock initiative, working with world leaders to build consensus on a new comprehensive international climate policy framework. In recognition of his debt to the North East of England, he has launched the Tony Blair Sports Foundation, to increase opportunities for young people to participate in sport.
Learn more about Tony Blair on Crunchbase… Read more about Khosla Ventures on Crunchbase…
Stewart Easterbrook
Chairman and Strategic Adviser @ MiQ
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Stewart is an advisor to the boards of several companies operating in the fields of media communications, data analytics, technology and mobile communications. He is Chairman of Media iQ, the leading global analytics technology and programmatic media specialist. He holds advisory roles with the video and animation production marketplace, Wooshii, mobile brand advertising experts, Widespace, and the world’s leading social music business, Instrumental.
Learn more about Stewart Easterbrook on Crunchbase…MiQ is an independent marketing intelligence company with the people and technology that help businesses win. Read more about MiQ on Crunchbase…
Gary Le Sueur
Senior Adviser @ Scottish Equity Partners (SEP)
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Read more about Scottish Equity Partners (SEP) on Crunchbase…
Russell King
Senior Adviser @ Heidrick & Struggles International
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Russell King brings considerable international experience, acquired across a number of sectors including mining and chemicals, together with strong experience in strategy. He was previously chief strategy officer of Anglo American plc and a non-executive director of Anglo Platinum Ltd. Prior to that he spent over 20 years in senior roles at ICI. Chairman of Hummingbird Resources plc and Sepura plc. Non-executive director of Aggreko plc and Interserve plc. Senior adviser to Heidrick & Struggles. Serves on the Executive Remuneration Working Group, established by the Investment Association.
Learn more about Russell King on Crunchbase… Read more about Heidrick & Struggles International on Crunchbase…
Ian Manzie
Senior International Trade Adviser @ Department for International Trade
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DIT is responsible for promoting UK trade across the world and ensuring the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us. Read more about Department for International Trade on Crunchbase…
George Osborne
Senior Adviser, BlackRock Investment Institute @ BlackRock
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Read more about BlackRock on Crunchbase…
Derek Binns
International Trade Adviser @ Department for International Trade
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Derek Binns has spent 35 years in or servicing multinational retail and brand corporates Worldwide. Derek has headed up multichannel operations for or on behalf of some of the most prominent global brands including Polaroid, WL Gore Associates, Levi Strauss & Co, VF Corporation, Cotton Council International and Hermes Otto International. As co founder of Zitra (a global integrator and service provider), Derek has been at the forefront of the rise of global E-Commerce and instrumental in the establishment of the financial and logistical eco system that has developed to facilitate online business. Derek is currently an International Trade Advisor, Strategic Advisor and NED specialising in global supply chain finance and e-commerce.
Learn more about Derek Binns on Crunchbase…DIT is responsible for promoting UK trade across the world and ensuring the UK takes advantage of the huge opportunities open to us. Read more about Department for International Trade on Crunchbase…
Mike Kennedy
Ventures Adviser – Downing Ventures @ Downing Ventures
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Mike joined Downing in 2017 to lead our engagement with our portfolio companies. Mike has over 10 years’ experience in the venture capital industry with 3i plc, YFM Group and Electra Partners and is co-founder and director of Inogesis, a start-up connecting blue-chip organisations such as Unilever and GSK to solve business challenges collaboratively.
Learn more about Mike Kennedy on Crunchbase… Read more about Downing Ventures on Crunchbase…
David Benning
Risk & Insurance Adviser, Mining Practice Leader @ Marsh
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Read more about Marsh on Crunchbase…
Graham Nicholson
Chief Legal Adviser @ Bank of England
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He has been the Bank’s Chief Legal Adviser and an Adviser to the Governor since January 2009. In this capacity He is the Executive Director for the Legal Directorate which is responsible for providing legal advice to both the Bank and its subsidiary, the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Learn more about Graham Nicholson on Crunchbase…The Bank of England serves as the central bank of the United Kingdom. Read more about Bank of England on Crunchbase…
Edmund Jessop
Medical Adviser @ NHS England
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Aim of NHS England is to improve the health outcomes for people in England. Read more about NHS England on Crunchbase…
Geoff Mulgan
Chief Adviser @ Gordon Brown
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Geoff Mulgan is Chief Executive of Nesta, and has been in post since June 2011. Under his leadership Nesta has moved out of the public sector to become a charity (in 2012), launched a range of new initiatives in investment, programmes and research, and has implemented a new strategy involving partnerships with other funders in the UK and internationally. From 2004-2011 he was the first Chief Executive of the Young Foundation, which became a leading centre for social innovation, combining research, creation of new ventures and practical projects. Between 1997 and 2004 Geoff had various roles in the UK government including director of the Government’s Strategy Unit and head of policy in the Prime Minister’s office. Before that he was the founder and director of the think-tank Demos. He has also been Chief Adviser to Gordon Brown MP; a lecturer in telecommunications; an investment executive; and a reporter on BBC TV and radio. He is a visiting professor at LSE, UCL, Melbourne University and a regular lecturer at the China Executive Leadership Academy. He is an adviser to many governments around the world, and has been a board member of the Work Foundation, the Health Innovation Council, Political Quarterly and the Design Council, and chair of Involve. He is also currently chair of the Studio Schools Trust and the Social Innovation Exchange. From 2015-2018 Geoff will be a senior visiting scholar at Harvard University, in the Ash Center at the Kennedy School. His recent books include The Art of Public Strategy – Mobilising Power and Knowledge for the Public Good (OUP, 2008) , Good and Bad Power: the ideals and betrayals of government (Penguin, 2006) and Connexity (Harvard Business Press and Jonathon Cape, 1998). His latest book The Locust and the Bee was published by Princeton University Press in March 2013. Read more on some of the ideas Geoff has been involved in over the years.
Learn more about Geoff Mulgan on Crunchbase…Gordon Brown is a company that provides real estate appraisal, selling and buying services. Read more about Gordon Brown on Crunchbase…
Sneha Patel
Senior Adviser – External and International Affairs in the Mayor of London’s office @ Greater London Authority
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Greater London Authority is a government administration that provides citywide leadership and create policies to improve for all. Read more about Greater London Authority on Crunchbase…
James O’Shaughnessy
Chief Policy Adviser @ Portland Communications
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James is Portland’s Chief Policy Adviser. He was Director of Policy for David Cameron for four years, 2007-2011. He was responsible for drafting the Conservative Party’s 2010 general election manifesto, co-authored the Coalition’s Programme for Government, and played a leading role in managing the Coalition Government’s policy programme during its first 18 months. Prior to working in Downing Street, James was Director of Policy and Research for the Conservative Party between 2007 and 2010, and before that Deputy Director at the think tank Policy Exchange. He advises clients on the priorities of the Coalition and on navigating the intricacies of policy and government.
Learn more about James O’Shaughnessy on Crunchbase…We design and deliver communications strategies for some of the world’s highest profile organisations, governments and individuals. Read more about Portland Communications on Crunchbase…
Thomas Attwooll
Senior Manager, Wealth Managers & Advisers @ Oxford Capital Partners
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Tom is responsible for building and managing the relationships with private clients and their advisers. Prior to joining Oxford Capital , Tom worked in the UK with Deloitte and in Latin America with De Vere Group, one of the world’s largest wealth management firms where he developed his knowledge of sophisticated financial planning and client service. Tom has a degree in Economics from the University of Liverpool. Outside of the office he is a keen chef and cricketer.
Learn more about Thomas Attwooll on Crunchbase…Oxford Capital is a technology venture capital investor based in London and Oxford. Read more about Oxford Capital Partners on Crunchbase…
Jacques de Cock
Adviser @ MedicSpot
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MedicSpot gives patients convenient and quick access to healthcare using the latest advancements in telemedicine Read more about MedicSpot on Crunchbase…
George McGhee
Board Adviser @ NetThings
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NetThings is an “internet of things” company that has developed the internet based, universal platform. Read more about NetThings on Crunchbase…
Paul Griffin
Special Adviser @ White & Case
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Professor Paul Griffin is a lawyer, arbitrator and mediator in the international oil and gas business. In addition to his role as Special Adviser at White & Case, he also has a chair at the University of Dundee’s Centre for Petroleum. Paul was a partner in leading international law firms for some 25 years and worked on many of the sector’s most significant deals and disputes. Paul also consults with a range of companies, governments and law firms. He writes and lectures widely in relation to the issues of the international oil and gas business.
Learn more about Paul Griffin on Crunchbase… Read more about White & Case on Crunchbase…
Carol Bacon
Chief Adviser @ Statpro
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Read more about Statpro on Crunchbase…
Stephan Shakespeare
Adviser @ Portent.IO
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Read more about Portent.IO on Crunchbase…
Sameera Nathoo
Certified Accountant/Tax Adviser @ Best Tax & Accounting Solutions Ltd
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Best Tax & Accounting Solutions Ltd is a tax consultant provides accounting and tax related services to individuals and businesses. Read more about Best Tax & Accounting Solutions Ltd on Crunchbase…
Jeni Tennison
Vice President and Chief Strategy Adviser @ Open Data Institute
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Open Data Institute is an organization thats works to lead the movement of the open data in the web. Read more about Open Data Institute on Crunchbase…
Phil Riman
Special Adviser @ White & Black Legal
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Specialist PE/VC and technology lawyers: Buy-outs, M&A, technology contracts and disputes Read more about White & Black Legal on Crunchbase…
Erik Vynckier
Adviser @ FINCAD
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Read more about FINCAD on Crunchbase…
Patricia Ashworth
Director of AdviserPlus Learning Solutions @ AdviserPlus
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Pat joined AdviserPlus in 2007 as a Learning & Development specialist and currently leads AdviserPlus Learning Solutions, offering scalable learning and development programmes for clients to enhance line manager performance and capability. Prior to AdviserPlus, Pat held various strategic and operational roles in the financial services and business-to-business sectors. Pat joined AdviserPlus from Co-operative Financial Services, where she held a number of senior roles including Head of Management Development, Head of Learning & Development and Head of Talent Management & Resourcing. Pat worked on the successful merger between The Co-operative Bank and Co-operative Insurance and played a leading role in the transformation of the Insurance business. She is also an experienced executive coach.
Learn more about Patricia Ashworth on Crunchbase…AdviserPlus provides its clients with managed HR advisory solutions. Read more about AdviserPlus on Crunchbase…
Charles Cotton
Performance and Reward Adviser @ Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
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Charles Cotton is the CIPD’s senior adviser for performance and reward. He directs its reward research and is also responsible for the Institute’s public policy work in this area. Charles frequently appears in the media commentating on pay and benefits and is often invited to present on his research at events.
Learn more about Charles Cotton on Crunchbase…The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development is a professional association for human resource management professionals. Read more about Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development on Crunchbase…
Ian Stephens
Brand Adviser @ EarlyBird
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EarlyBird is a postal snacking service that delivers healthy snacks to its users doorstep. Read more about EarlyBird on Crunchbase…
Liam Maxwell
National Technology Adviser, HM Government @ Department for Culture Media Sport
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Read more about Department for Culture Media Sport on Crunchbase…
Alex Tanner
Adviser @ Greenzorro
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Read more about Greenzorro on Crunchbase…
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