“Every once in a while, a new technology, an old problem, and a big idea turn into an innovation.” – Dean Kamen
Recently nominated as a finalist in the upcoming AI Start-Up Of The Year Award; Our client, Hire Intelligence Labs Limited (HIL) is a disruptive SaaS company in Human Resources. They provide a powerful AI technology designed to eliminate bias in hiring, promotion and training through a cutting-edge, Deep Learning AI that replaces key parts of the human element. Bias is biologically a human trait and thus unavoidable. Through HILs ethically developed AI (NURA) organisations can finally eliminate bias through a human-machine collaboration.
Bias in decision-making is an old problem, and with all old problems you have old habits that block improvements. NuraAI is a carefully designed solution that doesn’t cause Change or Transformation Management problems. It is a series of API’s, widgets and plug-ins that hirers bolt on to their existing process to build autonomous, anti-bias measures in.
Our client, Hydropower Maintenance Ltd. is already active in the Sustainability market for the Servicing and Maintenance of Hydropower systems, from large utilities to privately owned installations. This is a revenue generating business that was founded 3 years ago recognising that the shift to renewables would create a massive market for maintenance and support services. It has already begun to explore the use of AI technology to predict service and maintenance intervention, and this represents the next development stage in its growth plans.
Our Client, OLE Technologies is a London-based pre-seed fintech startup aspiring to become the bank for the online content creators. They have successfully launched their first product, providing payment upfront in exchange for an online video’s future revenue stream. They are initially focused on working with YouTubers who have between 10,000 to 2,000,000 subscribers in the EU and the US. They do this by analyzing historical revenue data for each uploaded video and forecast its future revenue stream before offering to buy the video at an amount less than what is forecasted (thus generating a margin). They collect the revenue stream through a direct debit payment method from YouTube. They have received a very positive response from YouTubers generating an impressive backlog of deals waiting to be processed. They are currently focusing on fundraising for their pre-seed round which will enable them to proceed with these pending deals; develop an AI model with machine-learning capability, with the goal to automate all deal offers - presenting real time pricing for all creators. This will speed up the dealflow process and boost automation to get ready to scale. Lastly, they need to build a team of developers and a commercial department to prepare to scale efficiently in the US.
The company has raised £75,000 from angel investors and is already generating early revenues
Our client, SkyLifter Ltd, is creating a vertical lifting electric air-crane solution in the 2-25 tonne payload category. The company is looking to strengthen their current Board with the appointment of investing Non-Executive Directors or Advisors to contribute to their rapid growth.
Our client is developing a revolutionary online sports talent marketplace that connects aspiring grassroots male and female players with clubs, scouts, and agents worldwide.
The platform uses advanced AI and Machine Learning technology to deliver highly accurate and personalised recommendations to football clubs, scouts, and agents.
They plan to use AI algorithms to develop new technology and products that monitor and track players' progress over time, providing real-time feedback, alerts, and recommendations to players and coaches when potential injury risks arise, optimising player condition and performance.
The massive demand for new homes is covered in the Press everyday – and our client has developed an innovative and practical solution that also tackles the requirement for net zero carbon and zero bill homes.
Our client is spearheading a transformative movement in new build housing with the launch of their pioneering Ecosystem and Proptech Platform. These initiatives are designed to revolutionise the funding and construction of new homes and catalyse the Custom Self Build (CSB) market. Imagine if all new homes were Net Zero Carbon, Zero Bill and were 2050 ready. Now Imagine if it was as easy to build this home as buy one, that’s what they’re delivering, with an ecosystem that covers funding, design and build.
“Every once in a while, a new technology, an old problem, and a big idea turn into an innovation.” – Dean Kamen
Our client, Hire Intelligence Labs Limited (HIL) provides a unique, solution based on AI technology for the elimination of Bias in hiring, promotion and training. They are developing a cutting-edge, Deep Learning AI that replaces key parts of the human element - known to cause bias - through their ethical and diverse datasets.
HIL is a disruptive business which at the core features NuraAI to eliminate bias. It has 3 interlinked parts that complement each other. NuraAI, as the engine, supported by Talent, a better, ethical alternative to traditional recruiters, which will demonstrate the performance of NuraAI to potential clients. Finally, Mindset is a programme which underlines the secrets to retention and team performance.
Bias in decision-making is an old problem, and with all old problems you have old habits that block improvements. NuraAI is sophisticated solution presented on a platform with an easy user interface, that journey’s candidates from their first contact to successful employment.
Our client is now in revenue having signed a partnership arrangement to recruit in KSA.
With the surge in retail investors directly investing in listed companies, this creates a huge challenge for PLC’s to engage in a meaningful way. Our client has created a SaaS product designed to bring investor relations teams at publicly listed companies (PLCs) closer to everyday retail investors. They leverage Generative AI, LLMs and the latest Open Banking technology to make shareholder engagement accessible to all stakeholders and enable PLCs to directly connect with previously unknown retail .
Our client is a start-up whose vision is to develop and supply innovative low cost pico hydroelectric units to those who have no or poor access to electricity or those demanding better energy recovery services in both developing and developed markets.
They have spent £400k developing a hydroelectric generating solution which works with very low water heads (so called “low head <3m”). Our client’s game-changing device is set to deliver a meaningful amount of electricity, uniquely, at the lower end of water heads. This can be installed without traditional ground works eliminating huge cost, environmental impact, and time delays. Capable of operating in small rivers and channels, including unused ‘dirty’ river step sites, downstream of existing industrial complexes/outlets or even ‘in-pipe’. Several units can be combined to maximise output. Demand is currently forecast at circa 15m units globally with strong annual growth.
Our client, Compawnion, is a London based startup building an AI powered virtual pet training assistant. This fully autonomous software, which is delivered in the form of a b2c application, provides continuous tailored assistance to owners in training their dogs. What makes Compawnion unique is that in addition to providing personalised training regimes, it uses AI and Computer Vision to ensure users are training their dogs the right way. Teaching the owner how to correctly train their dog is a key part of the process and mistakes in training can slow down the dog's progress. The business is in early revenue since a soft launch at Christmas with over 202 clients signed up and paying a monthly subscription (growing daily), validating the business model.
Fyva, is an investment research firm that fully automates high-quality investment analysis with AI. They cover companies across all stages – from early-stage startups to publicly traded companies across various industries, delivering unbiased, objective investment analysis in less than 10 minutes. Buy-side and sell-side firms consume insights from Fyva’s analysis to make better decisions.
Our client is building a data entry and AI based analytics system for agricultural supply chains. They have already built and deployed 5 custom analytics systems for large paying clients in the poultry industry, including well-known names like Japfa and Avara. They have acquired datasets from over 1 billion chickens, which has helped to refine their processes and models. This also uncovered that forecasting performance is limited by poor quality control of farm data across the industry sector!
Our client is an early-stage company, in revenue, with both retail and B2B clients, who have developed a unique process using AI and Machine Learning to simplify the management of FMCG products in the home and for SME’s. Their unique organization and refill system employs small IoT devices and an intelligent app to monitor stock levels and facilitate easy reordering. What sets them apart, is the integration of cutting-edge AI algorithms that analyse real-time stock data, usage patterns, product details, and user preferences to accurately predict replenishment needs. By offering complete inventory control, our client alleviates the burdensome cognitive load of household and business stock management, saving users time, eliminating errors / omissions, and freeing up mental energy for more productive endeavours. The company has already raised £250k and operates in Liverpool and London.
Our client Uvence has developed a revolutionary manufacturing and logistics platform to supply all cosmetic doctors in the UK with injectable regenerative skin treatments. These harness the power of our own naturally occurring regenerative tissues providing powerful outcomes without the use of synthetic chemicals, fillers or neurotoxins. Prior to Uvence these natural regenerative treatments were restricted to a small number of surgeons, who provide a bespoke surgical service. Uvence has standardised and productised this cutting-edge, high margin treatment, creating a simple on-demand delivery platform that increases the addressable market by >50x.
Dog ownership in the U.K. has increased dramatically, particularly during the pandemic and this has fuelled a huge increase in behavioural problems, with weekly stories of dog attacks and worse! The BBC states that dog attacks have grown at about twice the rate of the number of new pet dogs in the last 5 years, and studies reveal that at least 6.5 million dogs in the UK currently display undesirable behaviors (Dogs Trust, 2022).
Two Investing Non-Executive Directors are required for our client who have created a B2C Networking data capture platform designed for and targeting the world of golf, the company is based in London.
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.
We are kicking off our year with two new Chair roles. The first went live just before Christmas for AIM listed ZOO Digital plc a fast-growing and ambitious AIM-listed tech disruptor with a current market cap of c£100m. ZOO offers a range of software-based services to showcase, localise and distribute movies, TV shows and other digital content. We have recently extended the deadline for this role 1069 until Monday, 14th January.
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.
A Non-Executive Director (Non Exec) specializing in Risk and Compliance is required for a leading housing association based in London.
A Non-Executive Director (Non Exec) specializing in Private sector residential property development is required for a leading housing association based in London.
A Non-Executive Director (Non Exec) specializing in HR is required for a leading housing association based in London.
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
