Heligan Group announces the appointment of four Senior Advisors to the Board.

Heligan Group, an investment and advisory Group specialising in partnering with businesses that make the world safer, is proud to announce the appointment of four esteemed professionals as Senior Advisors to the Board. The addition of Lord Stanley Fink, Walid Kamhawi, Michael Perry, and Ben Turner marks a significant milestone in Heligan Group’s ongoing expansion and enhancement of its service offerings.

Lord Stanley Fink

Lord Stanley Fink, a luminary in the financial services and fund management sector, brings a wealth of experience from his illustrious career, notably as the former CEO of Man Group plc. His diverse roles in organizations like Marex Spectron, Hay Hill Wealth Management, and Bud Financial Limited, coupled with his philanthropic endeavours, make him an invaluable addition to Heligan Group. His insights and guidance will be pivotal as we continue to navigate the complexities of the financial world.

Lord Fink commented: “I have had the pleasure of working with the Heligan team for a number of years and it is a pleasure dealing with them. The private equity fund they run, which invests in innovative companies that help businesses and individuals to protect themselves from crime, particularly cyber crime, is very much needed in these times of incredible technological change. I was pleased to invest in their first fund, and I was honoured when I was approached to work with them as a Senior Advisor to the Board and now really look forward to working with them on the development of this and their other businesses.”

Walid Kamhawi

With an impressive 30+ years in finance and investments, Walid Kamhawi, formerly of Blackstone and a co-founder of a late-stage technology investment firm, is set to bring his vast experience to Heligan Group. Involved in transactions exceeding $25 billion, mainly in the TMT sectors, Walid's expertise will be instrumental in guiding Heligan through its next phase of growth, particularly in our investment and financial strategies.

Walid added: “I have got to know Heligan over the course of the past number of years. I admire their mission - to accelerate the development of the UK technology sector while simultaneously focusing on the defensive aspects of technology, which will become increasingly vital in the future. I am honoured to have been asked to join as a Senior Advisor to the Board and look forward to contributing what I can in the years to come to accelerate the development of Heligan's investment and advisory business.”

Michael Perry

Michael has over 40 years experience in advising on technology and risk assessment to a wide range of businesses. He was an early member of Warwick University Angels Committee and has held various posts as CEO and Non Exec Directorships.

Michael began his career as a rocket thermodynamicist on the UK Black Knight and Blue Steel engines, then later the NASA Apollo 11 Eagle Moon Lander engines. He holds an M.Sc and chaired his UK company Polytechnic Electronics Plc, who developed the early GPS CA Code civilian navigation modules, followed by P Code GPS for the Trident Missile, and has won the Queens Award for Technology. More recently his family company, FIC Newborough Investments - a Heligan Partner, provided early funding to Heligan and also manages and advises on a diverse range of P.E. investments covering climate change, finance, property development and defence activities.

Michael commented: “It has been a privilege in recent years to provide background advice and support since the Heligan Group inception. It is now an organisation populated with "par excellence" professionals in the advisory, private equity, wealth management and strategic insights divisions. The team has grown a portfolio of companies in its specialist sector to be envied and, I am sure, will now drive forwards in increasing their presence in the national security, crime prevention and public safety sectors to raise the bar and so make it increasingly difficult for competitors to encroach.”

Ben Turner

Bringing over 25 years of transactional experience in M&A and private equity, Ben Turner, head of the national M&A and PE teams at Shoosmiths, joins the Board as a Senior Advisor. Recognised by Legal500 and Chambers, and a two-time Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyer, Ben has been a trusted advisor to Heligan Group since 2016. His appointment strengthens the group's legal and transactional capabilities, reinforcing our commitment to strategic growth and excellence.

Ben commented: “I am genuinely delighted to formalise my association with Heligan and with the senior management team. I am fortunate to have advised Heligan for some time as they have capitalised on the opportunities available to them in their chosen markets and believe that the business is uniquely well placed to make significant strides across its key markets in both the short and medium term. I am really looking forward to having an impact as Heligan accelerates into its next phase of growth”.

Heligan Group is excited to welcome these outstanding individuals to our team. Their collective expertise will not only enhance our strategic decision-making but also reinforce our mission to invest in technologies that make the world a safer place. As we grow and evolve, the guidance of these seasoned professionals will be crucial in shaping the future of our organisation.