We have a passion for technology and the future of work. Our collective experience, specialist network and unique playbook enable us to cut through the noise and accelerate startups' journeys.
Every one of our team members has either founded, run or managed a worktech or digital business. We have been through venture studios and accelerator programs ourselves, raised angel and VC investment, and seen the good, the bad, and the ugly.
As a group, we have vast knowledge of the Hr, recruitment and technology space and a genuine love for supporting and working with people who are aligned to our values.
Benjamin Cranmer
Paid Ads & Media
Ben is the founder of a higly successful digital marketing agency in London. He specializes in search, shopping, display, re-marketing, paid social, e-comm and lead generation. He has significant experience in tech, e-commerce and recruitment marketing. Ben lives in London England.
Steve McNally
Storyteller
Steve is a multi award-winning copywriter and employer brand specialist. He’s spent the last 25 years creating “The Story” for organizations in most sectors, with particular specialisms in the fields of Employment, Energy, Finance, ‘Green’, Manufacturing, Skills, Talent and Technology. Steve lives in Ireland.
David Brammer
TA Advisory
David is talent acquisition leader with over 15 years of experience in leading talent functions for diverse and global organizations, such as Ocado Group, Mind Gym, Stonegate, and Kingfisher. He is Six Sigma certified and has lead retail and tech businesses through M&A and transformation. David lives in London England.
Andrew Platt-Higgins
EVP, Employer Brand & Comms
Andrew is one of the world’s leading experts in EVP. He has led both corporate (Unilever) and agency (Barkers) teams teams that deliver internal communications and employer reputation strategies, from employee engagement campaigns to EVP development, employer branding, purpose and change communications. Andrew lives in London England.
Jon Foyne
Video Production & Events
Jon has spent the last 20 years in recruitment and marketing. He runs an international video production and events company, working with global organizations to help them realize their complex filming needs. Jon lives in London England.
Darren Timmins
Tech Sales & TA Advisory
Darren is the co-founder of a talent management consultancy. He offers advisory to growing companies (often tech), helping them to develop and execute talent management strategies as a Fractional Talent Management Leader. Darren lives in Barcelona.
Anil Aphale
Tech Sales
Anil has been working with HR and recruitment technology sales for over 30 years. His experience has involved helping to shape solutions around recruitment processes, employer brands and candidate engagement. Starting out selling job boards and moving to Applicant Tracking Solutions and HR and Performance Management platforms. Anil currently live in the UK.
Jesse Himmelstein
Gamification
Originally from the US, Jesse is the Co-founder of a gaming company in France. He was the Director of the CRI GameLab in Paris. Lead EU research projects (IncLudo, Citizen Cyberlab). Teacher of game design at Université de Montpellier, and computer science at ENSEEIHT in Toulouse and IMERIR in Perpignan. Jesse lives in Nante, France.
Andy Kerney
Video Production & Events
Andy has spent the last 10 years co-running an international video and events company. Previously he worked in IT and data security, running global projects for large Fintech and financial organizations. Andy lives in Dorset England.
Lisa Mendes
Creative Brand Designer
Lisa is a highly creative Senior Art Director with over 20 years’ experience of big campaign work with an emphasis on recruitment and talent attraction. She is a multi-award winning designer, and has headed up projects for some of the biggest employer brand agencies in the world. Lisa lives in London England.
Chris Heron
Product, EVP & Employer Brand
Chris has been building SaaS products since 2012 and has worked in the talent acquisition and employer brand space since 1998. He is currently the Global Head of Employer Brand and Talent Acquisition for Swisslog, a global logistics automation company and previously an Advisor and Consultant for Ocado, Notonthehighstreet and Mind Gym. Chris lives in Saint Cyprien, South of France.
Viktoriya Semenova
UX/UI Designer
Viktoriya has 10 years of designing UI and UX for SaaS startups. She is a huge fan of clean, simple and intuitive design, and follows Human Centred Design principles. Viktoriya lives in Barcelona.
Startups
Our startups are all at different stages and require unique strategies and support to navigate their respective challenges and capitalize on their opportunities.
Team
Living in the UK, Ireland, France and Spain.
Launched from scratch
7 ventures in our portfolio either at launch stage or coming soon...
Focussed
We live and love worktech, and believe in it’s power to make a more positive future.
Common goal
Creating value, enjoying the journey and making an impact.
Startup idea selection process:
The selection process generally starts with you sending us a deck, business plan or a skeleton outline of the business idea. If we like your idea and think we can add value, we will arrange a meeting.
At this stage it is imperative that both parties feel there is a mutual connection. We’re going to be spending lots of time together so it helps if we are all on the same page. We will discuss terms/objectives during the meeting before diving head first into planning and agenda or setting deadlines. Once everyone is happy, we’ll get contracts drawn up.
Startup Founder selection process:
The selection process generally starts with you sending us a resume or getting in contact with one of our team members via linkedin. We’ll go through a fairly typical recruitment process, except that we will spend a lot more time on values and behaviors.
Find out more about our venture studio model.
Our modelVision
To build a successful worktech venture studio where entrepreneurs can cross-pollinate their ideas and help build a better future of work for everyone.
Mission
To provide a place where experienced HR, TA and Comms professionals can leverage our expertise to build the tech business that they always wanted to, with limited risk.
Values
Stay humble
No egos please,
we’re all learners here.
Stay true
Feedback is always good even if it isn’t
always good feedback.
Enjoy it
Love what you do,
do what you love.
Stretch yourself
Get comfortable being
uncomfortable.
