Neurovirse – The AI-Native Talent Platform for Neurodiversity Hiring
Neurovirse is building the platform that finally makes neurodivergent hiring successful at enterprise scale.
Today, more than 70% of neurodivergent individuals are unemployed or underemployed, despite representing approximately 15% of the global workforce, rising to as much as 30% within highly technical, creative and entrepreneurial professions.
Traditional recruitment systems were built around neurotypical assumptions and frequently filter out talented candidates before they have the opportunity todemonstrate their strengths.
Spirits Authentication & Consumer Engagement | B2B AI SaaS
The first platform to authenticate premium spirits,protect brands from counterfeiting,and connect producers 1:1 with consumers.
Our clients’ B2B AI SaaS platform uses NFC chip technology and blockchain to authenticate premium spirits, protect brands from counterfeiting, and connects producers directly with their consumers for the first time in spirits history. The platform also automates CSRD sustainability reporting — a growing EU and UK regulatory requirement. All from the same system that handles authentication and consumer-brand 1:1 engagement for the first time across the spirit and whisky industry.
Premium concierge and lifestyle membership platform
Our client is an established London-based concierge and lifestyle membership business with over 20 years’ experience, trusted relationships across hospitality, private members’ clubs, luxury travel and VIP events, and a proven premium membership model.
Invest in the UK's First Purpose-Built Marketplace for Supply Teaching
TeachR is replacing generic job boards in a £521m supply teaching market with a single, transparent platform connecting teachers and agencies. One profile. Every agency. With compliance built in from day one, TeachR is building the infrastructure layer that UK education recruitment has never had — and is raising £250,000 under SEIS to accelerate growth.
Platform-Based Ecosystem for Local Service SMBs & Freelancers
- Building a trusted, local-first marketplace that strengthens in-person services and drives repeat usage.
- Young and dynamic team building technology focused on real-world outcomes.
- Reduces friction in local service discovery and builds structured trust between providers and customers.
- Leveraging intelligent systems and merit-based mechanics to improve discovery, accountability, and long-term growth.
- Part of the Startup-Gurus incubator programme
Building the UK's Dedicated Property Portal for New Build Homes
A property portal and discovery platform focused exclusively on off-plan, new build and newly built homes
Transforming how new homes are discovered by buyers and renters, and how they are marketed across the property industry
Founded by experienced London residential property professionals
The Jane Austen Society was founded in 1940 by Dorothy Darnell with the purpose of raising funds to preserve the Cottage in the village of Chawton, Hampshire, where Jane Austen lived with her mother and sister Cassandra from 1809 to 1817.
The Society exists to celebrate the nineteenth century British author by: promoting the appreciation and study of the life, work and times of Jane Austen and her family; preserving the manuscripts, letters and memorabilia of Jane Austen and her family; continuing a programme of scholarly publications; and supporting the work of Jane Austen's House, Chawton.
One or more Trustees are required for CEME, the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence. CEME was established in 2023 as a registered charity with the objective of contributing to regeneration of the Thames Gateway region. They are based in Rainham, East London.
An independent Non-Executive, Chair of the Audit is required for CEME, the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence. CEME are a registered charity contributing to the regeneration of the Thames Gateway region, creating prosperity and jobs, their main Campus is based in Rainham, East London.
A Non-Executive Director, with a view to becoming Non-Executive Chairman, is required for an AIM listed leading professional services company, Gateley Group plc, with headquarters in Birmingham, UK.
A Head of Volunteering, with excellent organisational skills is required for our client ShareSoc, a fast growing, highly influential, not-for-profit society created by investors for investors. The role will be home based.
ShareSoc aims to improve the investment experience for individual UK investors and to represent their best interests wherever this is needed, whether its lobbying, addressing wrongs or enabling better investment.
Tenterden Mindfulness Group (TMG) are seeking to recruit a suitably experienced Board Chair as the charity moves into its next stage of development. TMG is a leading provider of Mindfulness training both locally, in Kent and East Sussex, as well as nationally via on-line offerings. They are committed to helping improve physical, social, mental and emotional health through education in the practice of Mindfulness across the age spectrum.
Cleen Sun is an ESG start up in the clean energy sector, based in Northwood, Middlesex.
The business was established to develop a zero emissions clean energy system with a patented, innovative combustor assembly - Cleen Sun - which when fitted to existing process and power applications can increase net energy efficiency by up to 30%.
Cleen Sun is capable of operating across a variety of gaseous feedstocks, which while producing power, is effectively an energy efficiency tool, by virtue of the fact it requires no additional raw fuel to produce electricity. As such, on an incremental generation basis, it is effectively a zero-carbon technology.
Rusthall Lodge a well established care home in Tunbridge Wells are looking to appoint a Commercial Property Trustee.
Becoming a Trustee is a fantastic way to contribute your skills and expertise to a cause that you care about and is a great way to embark on a Non-Exec career. A Trustee role for a charity has the same responsibilities as being a Non-Executive Director for a company. Your role is to provide oversight of the organisation’s performance, ethics, finances and risks.
It is the Trustee’s role to ensure the Charity complies with charity law, that it is well run and in good financial shape. It should be delivering its charitable objectives to the best of its ability.
Tenterden Mindfulness Group (TMG) are seeking to recruit a suitably experienced Treasurer (Trustee) to guide and support financial control and growth as the charity moves into its next stage of development. TMG is a leading provider of Mindfulness training both locally, in Kent and East Sussex, as well as nationally via on-line offerings. They are committed to helping improve physical, social, mental and emotional health through education in the practice of Mindfulness across the age spectrum.
It is well documented that diverse Boards are more likely to have higher bottom-line revenue. A study from Deloitte, shows that inclusive teams outperform non-inclusive teams by 80%.
This is something companies understand in theory – but how do companies approach that in practice?
Rajesh Gupta, Chair of the BAME + Allies network for Argos shares his experiences and views of how to lead diversity and inclusion in a corporate environment.
Remuneration for AIM and Small Cap Companies – what does a good Remuneration policy look like?
Chris Spencer-Phillips, First Flight Non-Executive Directors & Cliff Weight - Sharesoc
Chris Spencer-Phillips is Managing Director of First Flight Non-Executive Directors, and Non-Executive Director at Sharesoc, an organisation dedicated to the support of individual investors (private shareholders as opposed to institutional). Their aim is to make and keep investors better informed, improve investment skills, and protect the value of investments.
Cliff Weight, Non-Executive Director Sharesoc has been a stock market investor since 1984. He now focuses on smaller growth companies. He is a Non-Executive Director of MM&K, a leading independent remuneration consultant, and has 30 years’ experience as a remuneration consultant advising many FTSE 350, Small Cap and AIM companies.
Becoming a Trustee is a fantastic way to contribute your skills and expertise to a cause that you care about and is a great way to embark on a Non Exec career. A Trustee role for a charity has the same responsibilities as being a Non-Executive Director for a company. Your role is to provide oversight of the organisation’s performance, ethics, finances and risks.
It is the Trustees role to ensure the Charity complies with charity law, that it is well run and in good financial shape. It should be delivering its charitable objectives to the best of its ability.
We are currently looking for Trustees to join the Board of Rusthall Car Home, based near Tunbridge Wells Kent....
As per the UK Corporate Governance Code (except for smaller companies), at least half the Board excluding the Chair should comprise Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) who are truly independent. A smaller company should have at least two independent NEDs.
Chris Spencer-Phillips, First Flight's Managing Director gives his view..
Pauline Rigby, Head of Corporate at Forbes Solicitors, gives advice to SMEs on the economic downturm as a result of Covid-19,
'Women have much to offer as Non-Executive Directors - and much to gain', Victoria McLean, founder and CEO of City CV writes for this month's Director magagine..
Company Matters, part of Link Asset Services have launched their first report exploring diversity within the boards of AIM and FTSE small cap companies. First Flight would like to share the results of their recent research (Sept 19).
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"If you're less experienced in any specific area, then plugging that gap with the knowledge and experience of a non-executive director can really pay ...
First Flight's Managing Director talks to The Law Society Gazette about becoming a Non-Executive Director, click 'here' to read the full article
A very interesting read on Startup Boards in Entrepreneur magazine...
First Flight Non-Executive Directors are delighted to have worked with Ideagen plc to appoint Richard Longdon as a Senior Independent Non-Executive Director.
David Hornsby, Ideagen's Executive Chairman, said of the appointment: "We will benefit hugely from his guidance and insight as Ideagen continues to execute its global growth strategy."
If you are considering working as a Trustee for a Charity Board here's a great article from Women on Boards following their recent Charity Boards event
Women on Boards announce the appointment of two independent Non-Executive Directors to their UK board.
First Flight Non-Executive Directors Ltd are pleased to announce the appointment of Gillian Wilmot to the ZOO Digital Board as Chairman with effect from 1st July 2019. Gillian who will also Chair the Remuneration Committee and act as a member of the Audit Committee, replaces Roger Jeynes who stepped down from the Board after serving a nine-year tenure.
Launched in 2016, the government-backed independent Hampton-Alexander Review set FTSE 350 businesses a target of having 33% of all board and senior leadership positions held by women by the end of 2020.
Our Managing Director Chris Spencer-Phillips is interviewed by Tamzin Freeman of Piworld giving his great knowledge and expertise on what a Non-Executive Director brings to a company and by implication what they bring to the Investor.....
We are pleased to announce a pro bono partnership with Academy Ambassadors. Academy Ambassadors provide a free, bespoke recruitment service to multi-academy trusts looking to strengthen their board. Since 2013, the not-for-profit programme funded by the Department for Education, Academy Ambassadors has helped trusts to fill over 950 board roles. Academy Ambassadors recruits high-calibre business candidates with skills in areas such as finance, law, audit, risk, change and growth management.
A great piece on 'How to Cut it as a Non-Exec' from the Chartered Management Institute..
Following a most inspiring and enjoyable two days at Mello London 'Investors' Event, we have had a request to make available our presentation on 'The Importance of the Right Board Directors'..
First Flight are exhibiting at Mello London, a unique Investor Event on 26th & 27th November 2018 held at the Clayton Hotel, Chiswick - please do come and join us.
Whilst most Non Execs know about the FRC and QCA Corporate Governance Codes for public companies, not so many have heard of the Wates Principles for corporate governance in larger private companies.
As AIM specialists we are delighted to announce that Dr Jan Groen has joined our client ANGLE plc, a world-leading liquid biopsy company, as Non-Executive Director effective 1 November 2018.
We are delighted to announce that Sophie Tomkins has joined our client Proactis Holdings plc, the global spend management and B2B eCommerce solution provider, as Senior Independent Non-Executive Director with immediate effect.
First Flight has had a number of clients in the regulated Financial Services sector and we are delighted that Robert Watsham has joined the First Flight team to address the growing need for Non Executive Directors within the Financial Services community.
In the summer, when some Non-Executive Directors might have been in holiday mode, the Financial Reporting Council published its latest version of the official UK corporate governance code.
First Flight and ShareSoc have long called for the Governance of AIM Companies to be improved following various frauds such as Globo, Quindell and a number of Chinese companies who have cost investors a great deal of money.
‘Overboarding’ – when Non-Executive Directors and Chairmen take on too many roles – is in the news because of recent shareholder rebellions at British American Tobacco, SSP and Meggitt where Marion Helmes, Vagn Sørensen and Sir Nigel Rudd respectively all faced opposition to their re-election. And in general, we at First Flight Non-Executive Directors side with the concerned shareholders. When recruiting a new NED or Chair, one of the first questions our search consultants ask candidates with current Non-Executive roles is how much time do their existing commitments take up, and how much headroom do they really have free if the unexpected happens?
In April 2018 The UK's Financial Conduct Authority confirmed the steps it wanted UK asset management to take to increase the competitiveness of their products (see FCA PS18/8 for the full report). Among the new rules is a requirement for authorised fund managers to appoint a minimum of two independent directors to their boards – but what does the FCA really mean by independent?
What makes a good Chair of a company? Its an interesting question and one we have tried to answer ourselves in the past, at least from the perspective of recruiting Company Chairmen. (NB: we use the word ‘Chairman’ because that is the title most of our clients use, regardless of whether a man or a woman holds the office, and it’s not meant to imply any gender-bias.)
With the many pressures and challenges facing housing boards currently - what makes a great housing association board? What are the skills and knowledge required around the boardroom table in order to be effective?
Following the NHF conference earlier this year, Gill Payne is Executive Director of Public Impact speaks about managing diversity, technical challenges, social and political predictions and bringing in young talent.
As a search firm specialising in NED recruitment, First Flight Non-Executive Directors has teamed up with the accountancy firm Hacker Young, law firm Wedlake Bell and company secretarial services provider Bridgehouse Company Secretaires to form a Governance Group which runs quarterly 'Bite Sized' seminars for Chairmen, Non-Execs, Executive Directors and Co Secs.
An Interesting article from the IoD on why SMEs should not ignore governance. As many of First Flight’s NED recruitment searches are for SME clients, it’s an opinion we agree with, although improving their governance is just one of the reasons why SMEs recruit Non Execs: expertise, experience, commercial acumen, management know-how, broadening the skill-base, risk awareness, professional reputation, and help with making them more investable, are just some of the others.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority engaged First Flight Non-Executive Directors to conduct and independant review to the approach and appointment of one of their members as a Non-Executive Director Board member for their commercial fire safety business Red One.
Financial Conduct Authority publishes final report into asset management sector, recommending that at least two independent Non-Executive Directors are appointed to all AFM (Authorised Fund Manager) boards.
Boards in the UK and across the globe are experiencing increased pressure driven by high profile corporate scandals, investor dissatisfaction, questioning of Director Remuneration, a lack of contribution from many Non-Exexcutive Directors and financial regulation.
Ciscos last problem page explored what a Board of Directors can do for your start-up and how to build one.
Today we will look at why you might consider extending your Boards membership to include Non- Executive members who don't hold a full time role within the company.
HSBC Plc (HSBC) has chosen an outsider to be its Chairman for the first time.
Mark Tucker has has been named the bank's new group chairman and director. He will take up the position on September 1st. following his stewardship of AIA Group.
In EY's new report, Demystifying family boards: strong governance builds a legacy for generations who cannot read the annual report of a major public company without finding somewhere in come, they discuss how families need to decide on the right governing body for the size and stage of their business, as well as help their members understan their role within the business.
You cannot read the annual report of a major public company without finding somewhere in the musings of the chairman or chief executive a paragraph on the talents, diligence and resourcefulness of the employees, “who are without doubt the company’s most important asset”.
Recruitment firm Ferguson Partners released a report showing that the real estate investment trust (REIT) industry is lagging behind others in improving gender diversity on boards in both the United Kingdom and United States.
It is good to hear our Prime Minister endorsing the need for Non Execs to not be drawn from the same, narrow social and professional circles.
t will be held at The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, Euston Road, London, NW1
Non-Executive Director (Non Exec) is required for the Manufacturing Technology Centre Ltd (MTC).
Our next Non Exec Workshop will be held on 17th March 2016, It will be held at The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, Euston Road, London, NW1
Boards are spending more time in answering the crucial question of what skills and qualities they need to enable their company to be successful; some analysis such as a Board Evaluation (either internal or external) should be carried out to ascertain the required composition of the Board.
