Introducing our expert team

Keith Bristow QPM

Keith is Executive Chairman of Heligan Group and a member Heligan’s Investment Committee. Prior to Heligan, Keith enjoyed a 32-year career in law enforcement with roles including Chair and Director General of the UK’s National Crime Agency, Chair of the G8 (now G7) Law Enforcement Group, Chair of the 5-Eyes international law enforcement partnership, Head of Crime for the UK's police chiefs, Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police and Director of the UK’s National Criminal Intelligence Service. 

Keith holds a master’s degree in Organisational Development, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies, and a Diploma in Applied Criminology from the University of Cambridge. 

Keith is FCA authorised and holds Developed Vetting (“DV”) security clearance from HMG.

Dr Tim Grasby

Tim is the CEO of Heligan Group and a member of Heligan’s Investment Committee. He established Heligan Group with a vision of leading the way in intelligence-driven financial services whilst putting the client at the heart of everything we do. 

In Heligan, Tim has built a team of exceptional sector and financial experts. Formerly Associate Professor at Warwick University and Visiting Fellow at Stuttgart, Tim has also held previous roles within the Big 4 and Venture Capital and is a Fellow of the ICAEW. He holds a first-class degree in Electronics, a PhD in semiconductor quantum physics, is a Chartered Accountant and a Fellow (FCA) of the ICAEW, and holds a DPB licence. 

Tim is FCA authorised and holds Security Clearance (“SC”) from HMG.

Ben Addley

Ben is Managing Partner and Head of Research for Heligan Group. He joined Heligan in March 2023 after a career spanning 25-years in the Defence and National Security community. 

In his time within Government Ben led on digital transformation, innovation and leadership change, and future capability development. He holds a first-class honours degree in Computer Science from London Southbank University and diplomas in internet security. Between 2018 and 2021, he was an Associate Professor at the UCL School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Public Policy.

Having recently left the UK Government, Ben is currently waiting for his Developed Vetting security clearance from HMG to be re-issued.

Richard Bach

Richard is a Partner with Heligan Group with experience from a 30-year career in National Security across an extensive range of operational and technical roles.

His previous roles include delivery of the Government’s first active cyber defence programme to protect critical national infrastructure, as well as international roles representing UK interests in the UN, NATO, and the EU Council. Richard has also co-founded, led, and advised a number of tech and security start-ups.

Richard has an MSc in Computing and Network Security and holds Security Clearance from HMG.

Martin Baines

Martin is a Partner at Heligan Group and joined to focus on private equity investment and fund-raising activities across the Group.

He brings extensive Private Equity experience, in both Executive and Non-Executive roles. He led the buyout of Quilter from Morgan Stanley and subsequent sale to Old Mutual Wealth Group in 2014. After a group name change to Quilter, there was an IPO in 2018, valuing Quilter at around £3bn. Martin’s Wealth Management experience will be invaluable as Heligan expands its future operations. Martin holds a BA (Hons) in Economics and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment Institute. 

Martin is FCA authorised.

Greg Easter

Greg is a Partner and the Finance Director at Heligan.

Prior to Heligan Group, Greg had operational roles as Head of Commercial Finance at Halfords Group Plc and Head of Operational Finance at Eurofins. He has also been interim CFO at CCL Group. 

He qualified as an Accountant at KPMG, and subsequently worked in their M&A team, completing over £1 billion of transactions in the UK. 

Greg is FCA authorised.

David French

David is a Partner with Heligan Group, focusing on growing Heligan’s Venture Capital division, leveraging his experience from serial entrepreneurism and venture capital investment.

David founded Harwell Capital, a specialist venture capital investor in the technology sector.

Prior to Harwell Capital, David had a career that included Wealth Management and independent financial advisory in Asia. Previous to this, David was in law enforcement.

Simon Heath

Simon is a Partner of Heligan Group with 20 years of mid-market M&A advisory experience, having previously been a Director at KPMG Corporate Finance.

Simon has completed over 70 domestic and international transactions with an aggregate value in excess of £5 billion and is recognised as a leading M&A advisor in the UK, having completed a breadth of private equity, public company, and private company transactions. 

Simon has a Security Institute Diploma (Distinction), is FCA authorised, and also holds security clearance from HMG.

Ramesh Jassal

Ramesh is a Partner at Heligan Group, with over 15 years of mid-market M&A advisory and 20+ years of healthcare industry experience.

Prior to Heligan, he served as a Senior Director at Clearwater and spent five years at 3i Private Equity. His early career includes eight years as a senior research scientist. At Heligan, he focuses on business development and managing relationships with owner-managed businesses, corporates, and private equity firms.

Ramesh has directed over 50+ domestic and international transactions, with a total value exceeding £3.5 billion. He is recognized as a leading UK healthcare M&A advisor, specializing in Health and Social Care, Medical Equipment, Devices, and Pharma/Life Sciences.

He holds a PhD in Molecular Biotechnology and an MBA from the Open University.

Graeme Monce

Graeme is an expert in the insurance sector and a Chartered Loss Adjuster who joined Heligan Group as a Partner in early 2022 to bring insurance sector experience to the group as well as supporting with deal origination and business development.

Prior to Heligan Group, Graeme spent over 35 years in the Insurance sector, founding and successfully evolving a specialist Chartered Loss Adjusting practice after many years working for both Aviva Insurance and Sedgwick’s Chartered Loss Adjusters.

Christina Townley

Christina has worked in the investment industry since 2000, in various roles in capital markets, institutional equities, capital raising, client relationship management, strategy, and as a product specialist. She has primarily gained this experience working in large and mid-level investment banks and with private and public equity investment managers.

Matt Upton

Matt joined Heligan Investments LLP as a Partner and Chief Investment Officer in 2023.

Matt has spent almost 30 years in Corporate Finance and Private Equity working for such industry-leading companies as Andersen, Deloitte, EY, and Livingbridge holding offices such as Head of Corporate Finance and Partner.
Prior to joining, Matt spent 10 years as a Partner at Livingbridge, a leading mid-market private equity business. During his time with Livingbridge Matt led the establishment of the Enterprise Fund's new investment team to sit alongside the mid-market fund. Matt also holds extensive experience as a NED in technology businesses across various industry sectors, including Health and Wellness, Content Creation, and Cyber Security.

Jon Whitbread

Jon's role is to bring restructuring and legal experience to the Group, along with corporate finance and investment opportunities.

Prior to Heligan Group, Jon was an Equity Partner and Head of the Finance & Financial Services sector at HCR, an award-winning Top 100 UK law firm. Before HCR, Jon trained and spent eight years at Gowling WLG (formerly Wragge & Co). 

Jon is a Member of the Institute for Turnaround and an expert in corporate restructuring. Jon is FCA-authorised and is also regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Charles Armitage

Charles has over 15 years investment management experience, with a background in managing discretionary and advisory mandates for a diverse clientele. His experience includes significant roles at Brown Shipley and Brewin Dolphin. Charles holds the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) Diploma and is a Chartered Fellow of the CISI.

Will Ashford-Brown

Will is a Director in the Heligan Strategic Insights team, joining in September 2024. Prior to this he served in the British Army as a secure communications capability manager and team leader. He also has experience working within the energy sector.

In his military career Will has led high performance teams, providing secure communications and IT infrastructure to senior military leaders both in the UK and abroad. In addition to this he has managed the formation of the British Army’s newest electronic warfare organisation.

Will is a Chartered Manager with the CMI and holds a CMI Level 8 Certificate in Strategic Direction & Leadership from the Alliance Manchester Business School. He also holds Security Clearance from HMG.

Amy Ates

Amy joined as a Finance Business Partner in 2022 to provide dedicated financial support to our Private Equity portfolio companies and has since been promoted to Financial Controller to deliver financial reporting, budgeting, financial analysis, and financial governance/controls across the Group.

Amy joined from a private equity-backed business and has held roles as Finance Manager and Management Accountant at private equity and privately owned businesses, across a range of sectors

Fin Bristow

Fin joined Heligan Group in 2024 as an Analyst in our Corporate Finance team. He graduated with First Class Honours in Business Economics from the University of Exeter and previously interned at Heligan during summer 2022.

Nigel Bromley

Joining the Group in 2024, Nigel has over 30 years experience in marketing, working across consulting, creative agencies and client side leadership roles. During this time, he has worked across most sectors from Automotive to FMCG and Software to Professional Services. 

His last corporate role was as Head of Brand Marketing at Lotus Cars. He has won over 25 creative awards including a Marketing Society Gold Award for Effectiveness, and an AutoCar Awards for Best Product Launch.

Matt Croker

Matt is a Director at Heligan Group and joined Heligan in early 2019.  Prior to this, Matt was a key member of the M&A team at BDO in 2014 where he trained as a Chartered Accountant and worked across a range of sectors in the mid-market.

Matt has led or advised on over 25 transactions and works closely with our investment team. Matt is Director and a Board Observer for three portfolio companies and holds Security Clearance ("SC") from HMG.

Andrew Dickinson

Andy joined Heligan Group in 2019 having previously worked in Corporate Finance and Investor Relations for GKN Plc. Andy qualified as a certified Chartered Accountant with KPMG and has over 17 years of experience as a financial professional. Andy supports the Investment Team as a Board Director for two portfolio companies.

Stephen Dowds

Stephen has over 40 years of portfolio management experience, having previously held roles at Matheson Investment Management, Prudential-Bache and Northern Trust, where as Head of International Equities he was responsible for the management of Northern’s International Growth Equity fund, a $1bn US mutual fund. Stephen also has extensive experience in the management of multi-asset class portfolios, and during his previous roles as CIO has been responsible for investment teams managing assets for a wide variety of clients in a number of jurisdictions across the world. Stephen holds an MA in Economics with International Studies from the University of St Andrews and is a member of the CFA Institute (AIMR).

Kieran Duffy

Kieran has over 11 years of experience in finance, firstly as a corporate banker with RBS before transitioning into wealth management with Coutts and UBS. Kieran is a Law with Business graduate from University of Birmingham, a Chartered Fellow with the CISI as well as being a Qualified Financial Advisor (QFA) with the Irish Institute of Banking.

Michael Easton

Michael is the Chief Executive and COO of Heligan Wealth Management, playing a pivotal role in its operations and client relationships. He has over 20 years of experience in private banking and wealth management, having previously spent 5 years at wealth management boutique Signia Wealth, where he was a member of the Executive Committee and served as a Client Director specialising in European UK resident non-domiciled UHNW clients in addition to heading the firm's £400m liquidity management proposition. 

Prior to Signia, Michael held multiple front office and relationship manager roles with London based private bank Coutts & Co, including heading the offshore banking business for the Coutts Private Office. Michael holds the Investment Advice Diploma and is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investments. 

Sim Gill

Sim joined Heligan Group in 2022 as an Associate following her time with Deloitte where she qualified in audit and specialised in auditing across the Investment Management and Private Equity sectors.
Whilst at Deloitte Sim worked with some of the world’s largest PE firms including Blackstone.

Mike Howell

Mike joined Heligan Group as a Senior Associate in 2024, having previously worked at a corporate finance house where he gained valuable experience executing transactions in a variety of sectors across the mid-market. Prior to that he qualified with BDO as an auditor, focusing on the Investment Management and Financial Service sectors.

Azam Iqbal

Azam joined Heligan Group as an Associate in 2023 and was promoted to Senior Associate in 2024. He joined us following four years at EY where he qualified as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant.

During his time at EY he gained extensive experience auditing clients, with a particular focus in the Government & Public Sector.

Minsha Kapoor

Minsha has 11 years of experience in wealth management and private banking for high-net-worth clients including Indian UK resident non-domiciled clients. Minsha has a Post Graduate Diploma in Finance from ICFAI Mumbai and holds the Investment Advise Diploma from Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) UK. Her background includes roles working in relationship management and client services.

Max Jae

Max joined Heligan Group in 2024 as a corporate finance analyst. He previously interned in Asset Management at Close Brothers, focusing on alternative assets, and graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Exeter.

Sam Lewis

Sam joined us as a Director specialising in Debt Advisory in the Corporate Finance team during November 2023. With nearly 20 years experience in high street banks, alternative lenders and running his own Debt Advisory business, Sam is ideally placed to advise on lending options to SMEs across the complete debt spectrum and asset classes. He has worked with a wide variety of businesses, including SMEs, mid-Corporates, Private Equity, Venture Debt, PLCs and lenders themselves.

Sam is a qualified Banker and an Associate at the London Institute of Banking and Finance (ALIBF).

Holly Rabin

Holly joined Heligan Group in 2024 as a manager. Holly joins the team as a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years of experience both in-house and within accountancy practices in the Midlands. She has M&A experience across a range of sectors including retail, manufacturing and technology. During this time Holly has also been a tutor for professional training colleges, with a specialism for Strategy and Finance.

Ben Robinson

Ben joined Heligan Group in 2022 as a Senior Associate. Prior to Heligan, Ben qualified as an Accountant at Grant Thornton before moving onto FRP, where he worked in their Advisory team across Corporate Advisory, Pensions Advisory and Restructuring.

Robin Sherwood

Robin joined Heligan Group in 2022 as Business, Communications and Marketing Manager. 

Robin has a wealth of prior experience in operations management, project management, communications, and marketing from previous roles with Genting Casinos and Enterprise Inns amongst others. 

Robin works with portfolio companies advising on external communications and marketing. He is a member of the IPM.

Joanna Sam

Joanna joined Heligan Group in 2024 as a Corporate Finance Analyst. She graduated from Trinity College at the University of Cambridge, with a First Class degree in Economics and Land Economy. She is training with Heligan to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. She previously worked at Goldman Sachs, and also J.P. Morgan in the Investment Banking Division, focusing on the Technology, Media and Telecomms sector, and working on a few consumer technology IPOs.

Eleanor Smith

Eleanor joined Heligan Group in 2023 from BDO, where she spent four years and qualified as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. She holds the role of Associate, working within our Corporate Finance team. She graduated from the University of Birmingham with a Business Management degree, specialising in Strategy and Finance.

Harry Spencer

Harry joined Heligan Group in 2024 and works in the Corporate Finance Team as an Analyst. He graduated from the University of Bath with a degree in Economics with first Class Honours and is training to become an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. He also gained valuable experience at J.P. Morgan in Economic Research and PIMCO in Portfolio Management during his degree.

Martin Wilson

Martin, a consultant for Heligan Wealth Management based in the US, focuses on tax optimisation and wealth protection. A Chartered Tax Advisor and former lawyer, his experience includes wealth structuring at Grant Thornton and senior roles at Coutts Private Office and Signia Wealth. 

Brian Blakemore

Brian is a Senior Advisor to the Heligan Group board and chairs Heligan’s Investment Committee with a distinguished 40-year career in investment and banking.

Brian’s previous roles have included Regional Head, and subsequently, Global Head of Fundraising and Investor Relations of Barclays Private Equity (now Equistone), raising multi-billion funds for investment; and Chairman of a leading Midlands-based Venture Capital business.

Brian is an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and is FCA authorised.

Lord Stanley Fink

Lord Fink is a well-known figure in the world of financial services, in particular fund management, having been active in the industry for over 25-years. He is a Non-Executive Director of Marex Spectron and Chairman of Hay Hill Wealth Management and holds several other Non-Executive directorship positions including Bud Financial Limited and EToro’s UK subsidiary. 

He is the former Chairman of systematic hedge fund ISAM, and former Chairman of Zenith Hygiene Products. He established his reputation in hedge fund management during his time at Man Group plc where held the positions of CFO and subsequently CEO. He presided over the company’s rapid growth in an illustrious career dating from 1987 to 2008. 

Lord Fink also enjoys a reputation for philanthropy. He is President of the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, as well as a longstanding Trustee of ARK. He is Co-Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies and a Council Member of the Association of British Neurologists (ABN). Lord Fink was also a Trustee of the Mayor’s Fund for London between 2008-2017 and Chair Emeritus of the Governors at Burlington Danes School which he sponsored through ARK. Raised to the peerage in 2011 as Baron Fink of Northwood, Stanley is also active in politics. He was Conservative Party Treasurer and Co-Treasurer from 2009, standing down in 2013, prior to which he served on a number of policy committees for the party.

Walid Kamhawi

Walid has 30+ years of experience in finance and investments. His experience includes a number of corporate private equity investments while at Blackstone, as well as senior advisor to a newly established sovereign wealth fund, and co-founder of a late-stage technology investment firm. 

Collectively, he has been involved in control investments with an aggregate transaction value in excess of $25 billion, focused mainly on the TMT sectors. He has also made a number of direct investments personally and has sat on a number of Boards, both on behalf of Blackstone and in a personal capacity. 

He was appointed Senior Advisor to the Heligan Board in 2023.

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.

Ben Turner

Ben is a corporate lawyer and is head of the national M&A and PE teams at the law firm, Shoosmiths. He has 25 years+ of transactional experience advising corporates across M&A (both domestic and international) and is recommended by both Legal500 and Chambers as well as being a Thomson Reuters Stand-Out Lawyer in both 2022 and 2023. 

He has been involved with Heligan since 2016, acting as a trusted advisor to the Board on a variety of issues. He was appointed as a Senior Advisor to the Heligan Board in April 2023.