We are an experienced and entrepreneurial team who choose to work in partnership with other entrepreneurs.
- We are international and multi-disciplinary
- We offer vision, imagination and a global network of technical and commercial contacts
- With a deep understanding of the technologies we invest in, we have the insight to see how a new solution can exploit a technological advantage to expand an existing market or create a new one
- We have the operational experience to help inventors, scientists and engineers alike to make their vision a reality, and develop fast-growing companies whilst avoiding commercial pitfalls
- We have a track record of successfully raising funds for investment in renewable energy technologies and meeting investor milestones whilst developing that technology into a profitable commercial proposition
- We offer a partnership based upon far more than just capital.
David Newman
David is a founding Director of Viridis Navitas Capital Partners Ltd and a highly commercial, innovative and success driven individual. He is also an entrepreneur with a strong electronic, electro-mechanical, automotive and heavy engineering background.
Following 10 years of military service operating throughout the world, David spent the next 10 learning the commercial realities of international business by apprenticing himself to the most successful business owners and companies he could find. During this time he was tasked across a broad range of industries including, leisure, entertainment, automotive, telecoms, advertising and IT.
His corporate roles have included: Project Management, New Business Procurement, Financial Restructuring, Technical Creation and Support, IT Solution Creation & Delivery, Training Program Creation & Delivery and Change Management.
In 1999 he formed his own Telecoms consultancy and later that year created Trans Global Network Services, the world’s first global fibre optic leasing operator.
After successfully exiting TGNS in 2002 with annual revenues of $27m, David accepted the role of Commercial advisor to the then Maltese Minster of Finance, The Right Hon Mr John Dalli where he formed part of a 3-man team charged with redesigning the Countries FDI programme, agencies and Industrial Estate Management.
Successful completion of this project delivered a ‘step change’ in Government attitude toward FDI procurement, Business Promotion and even its own work force, pre the Country’s accession to Europe.
In 2004 David continued his career by taking on international consultancy roles within the restructuring IT and telecoms sector and later within the emerging renewable energy industry.
He returned to the commercial ‘start-up’ market place in 2008, designing and building an “outsourced” Debt Management and Cash Collection business for top 50 London accountancy practice, Simmons Gainsford LLP. SG Debt Management was initially created to assist SG clients post-recession but today has exceeded that brief. The business currently manages annual cash collections in excess of £13m and continues to quietly attract new clients.
In mid-2009, David was invited to lead the design team in building an ‘algae to fuel’ Photo Bio Reactor for a US project. In mid-2010 working with the same US affiliates, he went on to manage the design and build of an innovative ‘oleophilic membrane’ crude oil recovery rig. With support from the US Department of Energy, the machine was deployed in the Gulf of Mexico and trialled as part of the Deep Water Horizon clean-up operation.
In September 2010 upon his return from the USA, David joined forces with Mark and formed Viridis Navitas Capital Partners Ltd (VN-CP) specifically to target the renewable energy start-up funding gap experienced by inventors, engineers and scientists alike.
Since inception VN-CP has delivered 9 successful funding rounds for platform technology application spinouts raising in excess of £3M via HMRC Pre approved Seed Enterprise Investment Schemes & Enterprise Investment Schemes. The above-mentioned experiences have allowed David to build up a broad network of contacts throughout Governments and industries alike that he leverages to the benefit of any company he works with. Understanding the financial risk versus reward balance for investors, as a ‘real’ investor himself, he brings an unusual but extremely useful skill set to the company.
David manages the day-to-day operation, marketing, commercial due diligence, project creation, and IP portfolios for VN-CP, he is an equity participant in, and Commercial Director for, all VN spin-off SPV’s.
Mark Gilmore
Be it participating in successful IT start-ups, or working within a ‘FTSE 500’ company, Mark brings more than 20 years successful operating experience at senior and executive sales management level to VN-CP.
Mark’s most recent corporate role was managing COLT Managed Services strategic markets region (6 countries and 27 employees). In his last year he delivered over £30m in revenues (118% against target) and nearly £13m of new business bookings (122% against target). This achievement was coupled with the process of transitioning the pre-sales technical architects, with corporate incentive structures to technical consultants holding personal incentive schemes.
Prior to this Mark held a number of senior Business Development roles including; Dimension Data for over 4 years, significantly exceeding revenue, bookings and margin targets in each of the 4 years he was there; GTS Carrier Services; and TGNS S.A.
In between these roles, Mark started Big Picture Interactive, a new digital multimedia and interactive web company, creating year 1 revenues in excess of £1m.
Upon leaving the Royal Navy where he was a serving officer, he converted an antique shop into a pub and restaurant, operating it successfully for 2 years before exiting via a private sale.
Mark manages sales and operations for VN-CP and is also an equity participant in, and Director of, all VN spin-off SPV’s.
Keith Scott
Keith is Emeritus Professor of Electrochemical Engineering, at Newcastle University, UK.
Educated at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, where he obtained his doctorate in the Chemical Engineering for research on electrochemical synthesis, cell design and scale-up. Prior to this he held the position of Professor of Electrochemistry at the University of Teesside.
He has an international reputation in the field of electrochemical science and engineering, His main research and development focus is in fuel cell and electrolyses technologies, batteries and bio-electrochemical system, with a focus on membrane and catalyst materials, cell design and scale-up.
He has successfully managed or coordinated over 30 projects at a national and EU level, funded by EPSRC, TSB, Innovate UK, EU, MOD/DERA and the Carbon Trust. He has authored or co-authored more than 400 research articles published in international referenced journals, made a comparable number of conference presentations, co-invented three patents, written or edited a dozen books, chaired several international conferences.
Keith has been instrumental in establishing spin out companies NewChem Technologies Ltd. and Newcell technologies Ltd, who operate in the areas of electrochemical energy technologies, environmental protection and synthesis, and has worked as a consultant for many international companies.
He is fully conversant with international banking process requirements and regularly represents and/or advises clients negotiating commercial bank funding or repayment proposals.
Keith is a chartered engineer and a Fellow of the Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Alasdair Cairns
Chair in Propulsion Systems, Faculty of Engineering Nottingham University
Biography
Professor of Mechanical Engineering with a background in low carbon propulsion systems within both academia and industry.
- 2016 – Professor & Director of Powertrain Research Centre, University of Nottingham
- 2016 – 2016 Deputy Head of Mechanical Engineering Department, Brunel
- 2014 – 2016 Director of Teaching and Learning, Brunel University London
- 2013 – 2016 Professor of Automotive Engineering, Brunel University London
- 2010 – 2013 Senior Lecturer, Brunel University London
- 2006 – 2009 Principal Research & Development Engineer, MAHLE Powertrain Ltd.
- 2003 – 2006 Senior Research & Development Engineer, Cosworth Technology Ltd.
- 2000 – 2002 Development Engineer, Cosworth Technology Ltd.
Professor Alasdair Cairns is a member of the Fluids and Thermal Engineering Research Group.
Expertise Summary
- Hybrid powertrain systems integration
- Powertrain thermal management (e-machine, batteries, IC engines)
- Low carbon IC engines and fuels (heavy duty and light duty, H2, ammonia, biofuel)
- Advanced combustion systems (HCCI/CAI, turbulent jet ignition, dual fuel)
- Advanced electric machines (design, operation, manufacture)