People

Team

NICK CHARMAN

Nick Charman

Chairman

Expertise: Responsible Investing, Cleantech, Real Estate

Focus: Direction, Governance, Innovation

Nick co-founded Elbow Beach Capital in 2021.

As an experienced investor in and founder of several businesses, Nick has a strong understanding of the opportunity landscape. Nick moved into responsible and impact investing in 2017 and was the principal architect of Elbow Beach Capital’s investment thesis. He pursues a keen interest in both academic and applied science research and innovation, focusing on real world solutions to global issues. Nick also sits on Elbow Beach Capital’s Investment Committee and Advisory Board.

Nick holds a BA (Hons) in Business Economics from the University of Reading and an MSc in the History of Science and Medicine from Birkbeck, University of London.

Jon (JP) Pollock

Chief Executive Officer

Expertise: Go-to-Market Strategy, Commercial Analysis, B2B Technology Sales

Focus: Purpose, Growth, Delivery, Mentoring

JP co-founded Elbow Beach Capital in 2021.

Having held several senior leadership roles over nearly 20 years within large telecoms and tech companies including BT Group, the FTSE 100 media and telecoms company, JP has expertise in targeted investment and go-to-market strategy, transforming business units’ scale and profitability.

JP leverages this experience alongside market analysis to advise growth enterprises on resource optimisation and in-turn revenue generation.

JP holds an MBA from Imperial College London and a BA (Hons) in Business Economics from the University of Reading.

TOM HARDY

Tom Hardy

Chief Technical Officer

Expertise: Sustainability, Environmental Science, Technology

Focus: Innovation, Impact Solutions

Tom co-founded Elbow Beach Capital in 2021.

Tom is responsible for the technical and environmental impact analysis of prospective investee companies. Following investment, Tom supports founders in optimising their technologies and building their Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) frameworks.

With two decades of experience working in conservation, sustainability and environmental technology, Tom has specialised in helping businesses balance growth and sustainability. As an environmental consultant, he has advised companies and individuals on the legislative and regulatory drivers for nature conservation and sustainability.

Tom holds a BSc and an MSc in Oceanography from the University of Southampton.

David Gudgin

Non-Executive Director

Expertise: Early-Stage Investment, Renewable Energy, Asset-Based Rollouts

Focus: Growth, Strategy, Fundraising

David is an experienced investor with over two decades’ experience investing in high growth, early-stage businesses. He began his career at 3i before joining Foursome, where he managed an environmental technology fund and a development capital fund.

David’s wealth of experience in investment and early-stage business growth ideally positions him to advise Elbow Beach Capital’s portfolio companies.

David is currently a Partner at Albion Capital and CEO at Applerigg where he is focussed on building new asset-based businesses.

David has a degree in Economics from Warwick University, and is a qualified ACMA.

Andy Summerfield 

Investment Director

Expertise: Leadership and Management, Sales Transformation, Organisational Integration and Transformation

Focus: Investment, Organisational Development, Strategic Advice

Andy joined Elbow Beach Capital in October 2022 having previously sat on its Advisory Board.

With nearly three decades of experience at large PLCs at a senior level and more recently as the founder of his own telecommunications business, Andy has a wealth of experience to support Elbow Beach Capital’s investees. His career has encompassed telecoms, enterprise software and professional services and he has overseen numerous significant organisational integrations.

Andy’s experience and commercial know-how positions him ideally to support and advise early-stage businesses as they navigate the complexities of moving to scale.

Rob Simpson

Analyst

Rob joined Elbow Beach Capital in 2022.

As an Analyst on the investment team Rob is responsible for industry research, deal sourcing & due diligence. He also supports the rest of the team members and committee throughout the lifecycle of the funds, such as fundraising and value creation in portfolio companies.

Prior to joining Elbow Beach Capital, Rob worked in city-based Corporate Finance firms advising on mid-market capital raises and M&A transactions across multiple sectors, he has also founded two start-ups.

Rob holds a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics from the University of Leeds and is training as a Chartered Management Accountant.

Josie French

Junior Analyst

As a Junior Analyst, Josie undertakes in-depth market sector reports and market analysis to inform deal sourcing and investment decisions. She is involved in the due-diligence process and seeks to add value to the portfolio. She is particularly interested in the long-term sustainable growth of climate tech start-ups through foundational ESG principles.

Prior to joining Elbow Beach Capital in 2022, Josie spent 3 years living and working in Melbourne, Australia as a Sustainability Consultant and Analyst. In this role, she gained valuable experience in research and analysis for public and private sector clients, as well as, undertaking sustainability reporting, grant application writing and extensive stakeholder engagement.

Josie is involved in several voluntary positions, most recently a Nature Ambassador in Australia, and is continually looking at opportunities to contribute to society and community.

Josie holds a BSc (Hons) in Geography from the University of Durham.

Cécile Guven

Executive Assistant

Cécile joined Elbow Beach Capital in 2022.

Cécile has worked as an Executive Assistant and Office Manager in Istanbul and London. She provides administrative support to the investment team and manages the diaries of the Chairman and the CEO. Cécile also administrates the office of Elbow Beach Capital in London and co-ordinates reporting with our portfolio companies, supports Human Resources functions and manages invoicing, accounts and payroll.

Cécile holds a degree in Tourism Management from the University of Istanbul and is fluent in both Turkish and Armenian.

Advisory Board

DR JOHN MCGRANE

Dr John McGrane

Expertise: Clinical Research and Trials, Digital Health Solutions

John has been working as a consultant clinical oncologist at the Royal Cornwall Hospital since 2014. He is the clinical lead for radiotherapy and specialises in systemic anti-cancer treatment of urological and gynaecological cancers. Alongside his clinical practice he is actively involved in recruiting into clinical trials. He is UK Chief Investigator in the IMReal, CA022-009 and RAINBO immunotherapy studies and Principal Investigator for multiple urology and gynaecology clinical trials.

John has a keen interest in identifying and supporting digital health solutions for cancer patient follow up and care and provides valuable insight when reviewing social impact investments. In 2018, he co-founded the award winning MySunrise cancer patient support app which is now available throughout Southwest England.

Lucy Boreham

Lucy Boreham

Expertise: Sustainability Strategy, Strategy Activation and Integration, ESG Reporting and Disclosures, Stakeholder Management

With over a decade of experience leading sustainability strategies across the financial services, construction and consulting sectors, Lucy is a passionate advocate for sustainable business practices and environmental transparency.

Lucy co-founded a successful boutique sustainability consultancy which now works with a range of PLCs, private companies, and public sector bodies. Lucy works to develop the strategic and creative thinking to ensure companies maximise their positive social and environmental impact. She also has experience in strategy development, ESG governance, stakeholder engagement and sustainability marketing.

Lucy holds a BSc Hons from Cardiff University.

Johnathan Matlock

Dr Johnathan Matlock

Expertise: Scientific Due Diligence, Life Sciences, HealthTech, BioTech, Advanced Materials

Johnathan is an experienced scientist and Angel Investor with a portfolio of 24 frontier science and technology companies, he co-founded Science Angel Syndicate in May 2021. Johnathan’s focus is on the identification and commercialisation of high-potential, early-stage businesses founded by scientists with a particular emphasis on companies tackling environmental and medical issues.

Johnathan sits on the board of a variety of Science and Healthcare focused start-ups including Glaia, Argonaute RNA, Anaphite and Genome Key. Johnathan also acts as an advisor to Ascension Ventures’ Life Fund.

Johnathan holds an MChem in Chemistry from the University of York and a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Bristol; he is a Chartered Chemist of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Ben Miles

Dr Ben Miles

Expertise: Scientific Due Diligence, DeepTech, Nanomaterials, HardTech, Digital Health, Diagnostics

Ben is the founder and CEO of Spin Up Science, an organisation that works to create frontier science ventures based on university IP by empowering and upskilling scientists and engineers in entrepreneurship and innovation. Through Spin Up Science, Ben has worked as a catalyst of innovation activity supporting over 100 early-stage scientific ventures.

Ben co-founded Science Angel Syndicate in May 2021 with fellow Advisory Board member, Johnathan Matlock. Ben works with Elbow Beach Capital to identify and support the company’s investments into the Science Equity asset class.

Ben holds an MS in Physics and a PhD in Nanophysics and Optics from the University of Bristol.