Board of Directors
John Woolgar, Deputy Chairman
A former stockbroker, John has 35 years diverse City experience, principally involving private investors in smaller companies. As a former corporate adviser he sought and raised funds for over 30 companies by way of Official List and AIM and Unlisted Securities Market flotations, including Business Expansion Scheme and Enterprise Investment Scheme private placings.
John also conceived the idea of Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc as a cost effective method of attracting large numbers of private investors into new issues and as a delivery system for private funds into placings. He subsequently introduced new management into the company, now Starvest Plc, as a result of which it is now an investment company mainly focused on the mining sector.
John is currently a non-executive director of two AIM listed companies and has assisted in the listing and fundraising process of two other AIM listed companies in the last four years.
A former stockbroker, John has 35 years diverse City experience, principally involving private investors in smaller companies. As a former corporate adviser he sought and raised funds for over 30 companies by way of Official List and AIM and Unlisted Securities Market flotations, including Business Expansion Scheme and Enterprise Investment Scheme private placings.
John also conceived the idea of Web Shareshop (Holdings) Plc as a cost effective method of attracting large numbers of private investors into new issues and as a delivery system for private funds into placings. He subsequently introduced new management into the company, now Starvest Plc, as a result of which it is now an investment company mainly focused on the mining sector.
John is currently a non-executive director of two AIM listed companies and has assisted in the listing and fundraising process of two other AIM listed companies in the last four years.
Alistair Forbes, Interim Chairman
Alistair started his career at Wilson and Company insurance brokers, negotiated its management buyout two years later and after its sale in 1984 to Hogg Robinson Plc, he remained on the Board of the enlarged company until 1986.
Alistair has considerable skill in advising and developing small companies having established a water component manufacturer, Waterfit Ltd, which was later sold to Delta Group and subsequently founding Design Bridge Ltd, a brand and package design work business focussing on the food, drink and drug industry.
After planning a 500 kW run-of-river hydro scheme on his own land, Alistair teamed up with Trade link Solutions to establish Irene Power Ltd and complete the development of the hydro scheme. Recognising the potential in the run-of-river hydro arena, he established AFPower Ltd to build hydro schemes with fellow landowners, ensuring that the customers received maximum value from their projects, with limited risk exposure to their personal or estate finances. Chris Bennett, Non Executive Director
Chris is a Chartered Accountant having retired from Smith & Williamson in 2005 where he had been a Partner and Director since 1996. He was previously a partner with Chantrey Vellacott. Chris has had over 45 years experience both as an audit and corporate partner, advising clients on all aspects of their affairs. He specialises as a forensic accountant acting as an expert witness in both criminal and civil matters, particularly for the police in asset tracing and confiscation cases.
Alistair started his career at Wilson and Company insurance brokers, negotiated its management buyout two years later and after its sale in 1984 to Hogg Robinson Plc, he remained on the Board of the enlarged company until 1986.
Alistair has considerable skill in advising and developing small companies having established a water component manufacturer, Waterfit Ltd, which was later sold to Delta Group and subsequently founding Design Bridge Ltd, a brand and package design work business focussing on the food, drink and drug industry.
After planning a 500 kW run-of-river hydro scheme on his own land, Alistair teamed up with Trade link Solutions to establish Irene Power Ltd and complete the development of the hydro scheme. Recognising the potential in the run-of-river hydro arena, he established AFPower Ltd to build hydro schemes with fellow landowners, ensuring that the customers received maximum value from their projects, with limited risk exposure to their personal or estate finances. Chris Bennett, Non Executive Director
Chris is a Chartered Accountant having retired from Smith & Williamson in 2005 where he had been a Partner and Director since 1996. He was previously a partner with Chantrey Vellacott. Chris has had over 45 years experience both as an audit and corporate partner, advising clients on all aspects of their affairs. He specialises as a forensic accountant acting as an expert witness in both criminal and civil matters, particularly for the police in asset tracing and confiscation cases.
