Management Team

James began life at Quintus Group in London before being posted to Hong Kong to set up and run a new office. Having successfully achieved this, he left to set up his own sponsorship company, Network Events, working with clients such as the Rolling Stones, the ATP and Pavarotti in Asia. He sold this company in 2001 and teamed up with Simon McGivern and since then has set up and exited several businesses including: Handpicked Collection; Litebulb; Power Station Studios – purchased out of administration and sold within 18 months; Silver Bullet Data – co-founder and oversaw its’ IPO 2 years after start-up.

Following a short career in the army Mike spent 37 years as an investment banker advising Asset and Wealth management companies. He started his professional career at HSBC James Capel in 1987 where he built a up a franchise working with and advising a number of Asset and Wealth management companies in addition to running the Investment Company team. In 1999 he joined Charterhouse Group before being a Founder member of Bridgewell, a fast-growing UK orientated investment bank, where he specialised in financial services companies. In 2008 he joined Canaccord Genuity as Head of the Financial sales team. He retired in December 2022 from Zeus Capital where he was Co – Head of the FIG group from 2015. Mike joined Oberon as Non-Exec Chairman in 2023. In addition to his work in the financial sector Mike is a keen conservationist and is Chairman of the Painted Wolf Foundation (PWF) which funds projects to protect African Wild Dogs.

Simon trained in fund management and research at Panmure Gordon Asset Management, working in the wealth management division on private clients, charities and family offices. He left the City in 2002, teamed up with James Phillips, and since then has set up and exited several businesses including: Handpicked Collection – set up and exited via trade sale to News Corp; Litebulb – set up, floated on AIM, grew to 150 staff and £25m in sales before leaving in 2015; Cleeve Capital (now Big Blu Broadband) – founder director and oversaw its’ IPO in 2014; Silver Bullet Data Services – co-founder and oversaw its’ IPO 2 years after start-up.

Gemma was previously head of investment strategy at Brooks Macdonald Group plc, having started her career at Goldman Sachs and GAM Holding AG. In 2015, Gemma founded Moola Systems Limited and was CEO of the company until November 2019, (it was acquired by a FTSE 250 insurer Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group in July 2018). She pioneered new technology in financial services (fintech) and went on to launch a digital media business for News UK. Since 2020, Gemma has been a non-executive director for several companies. She is also a business expert on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, was a boardroom adviser to Arnold Schwarzenegger on The Apprentice as well as an advisor to the UK Government on its 10-year strategy to improve the nation’s financial wellbeing.

Worcester joined the fundraising team at the start of 2022, focusing on working with our handpicked early-stage tech companies, planning and structuring capital raises. He focuses on fundraising and supporting our portfolio companies to secure investment through Institutions and his network of private investors. Worcester secured First Class Honours in Mechanical Engineering from Oxford Brookes University and is currently studying for his Investment Advice Diploma (CISI).

Max joined Oberon in November 2021 after achieving a Distinction in his MSc at Bayes Business School (formerly Cass). He works in the Investor Relations team, managing an extensive network of institutional and private clients and helps to facilitate investment into Oberon’s portfolio businesses. He is currently studying for his Investment Advice Diploma (CISI).

Pippa joined Oberon in August 2022 after studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Exeter University. Pippa Is part of the Private Ventures team focusing on Operations and Investor Relations whilst studying for her CISI exam.