Executive Board Members

We are privileged to have on board several globally recognised leaders who represent a diverse and distinguished range of expertise, including:

suresh menon

Suresh menon

CEO & Managing Director, UK
International Funding & Joint Ventures

Suresh Menon is a seasoned Private Banker with over 30 years of experience in the Middle East & Asia Markets. He brings with him a wealth of experience of working with high profile clients at all levels and he manages funds for HNI clients, Institutions, Family houses globally. Suresh has an exceptional understanding of the global and Middle East markets. In his last role, Suresh was with LGT Private Bank as Managing Director managing the Middle East & Asia Markets.

He started his career with Standard Chartered Bank after being recruited from Mumbai to join the team in Dubai. He was instrumental in setting up and running their Priority Banking Business in Dubai and being part of their only Gold Business Retail Banking. He went on to set up the NRI Banking business with ABN Amro and after running this business for over a year moved on to take up a major role in developing the GCC business for Van Gogh Preferred banking. Post this stint, he moved to the Private Banking business of Abn Amro again to develop cliental & increase business in the GCC.

Suresh moved to London in 2021 and under the FCA regulatory guidelines, provides investment advisory services, financial analysis for Ultra HNI clients, structuring of investments in keeping with their risk-reward strategy. He also helps client in their philanthropy and succession planning. He has a team of professionals working with him who have decades of experience working for fund houses and international banks.

Suresh is also the Founder Director of DIFODIN which is a socio-economic venture into revival of agriculture and production of a variety of Millets – the super food under the brand names Granoss & Mijoss. These products are presently being marketed in India and exported to Singapore and the UAE. This project was started to introduce nutritious low glycaemic, unpolished, chemical free grains to the world and to provide employment to women from the rural areas in India.

Suresh completed his graduate degree from Bombay University, holds a certification in Marketing Management from Herriot Watt and has cleared the requisite Investment and Securities Management exams in the UK.

Family Office Investments, Fund Placements, Equity Financing, Private Equity, Strategic Equity , Partnerships, Investment & Exit Planning, M&A, Deal Strategy, Start ups & Growth Capital, Business Strategy, Corporate Strategy, NED & Board Advisory

Asset & Wealth management, Sovereign Investment Funds, Banking & Capital Markets, Financial Services

UK, Middle East and Global

sampath

Viji Sampath

Non-Executive Director, USA
M & A, Cross Border Consulting

Viji has over 35 years of experience with Fortune 500 companies, M&A advisory and management consulting firms. His clients include private equity firms, family offices, and companies in food/ag and consumer products industries in the US and India. He has initiated, negotiated and closed numerous buy-side and sell-side transactions, joint ventures and strategic alliances in the US, Canada, Mexico, India, S. Africa, UAE, and Australia.

He served on the Board of Directors of Monterey Gourmet Foods (Nasdaq: PSTA), and ITC Agro-Tech Ltd., India (now Agro-Tech Foods Ltd. – BSE).

Viji holds a B. Tech degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Madras, India, and MS and MBA degrees from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago.

M&A advisory, Private Equity, Joint Ventures, International Funding, Cross Border Consulting 

Food/Ag, FMCG, Renewable Energy, Information Technology

U.S.A, Europe, Middle East & India

jain

Sharad Jain

Non-Executive Director, UAE
Asset Management, Private Equity & Venture Capital

Sharad is an experienced investment leader specializing in asset management across seed-stage, venture capital, private equity, and equity-linked investments, with a focus on emerging markets and the Middle East. He adopts a hands-on, results-driven approach to strategy execution and business growth.

He has extensive experience in sourcing, evaluating, structuring, and exiting investments across sectors including infrastructure, telecommunications, healthcare, financial services, real estate, and pharmaceuticals. His infrastructure exposure includes large-scale projects such as airports, power, logistics, and telecom networks.

Sharad has contributed to raising over US$1.3 billion across four funds and has actively managed investor relationships, including leading LP engagements. He has strong stakeholder management experience across corporates, regulators, and portfolio companies, with a focus on regulatory compliance and fund governance.

He has also evaluated 50+ startups across e-commerce, microfinance, blockchain, rural healthcare, and pharma distribution.

Asset Management, VC & PE Investments, Fundraising & Investor Relations, Investment Lifecycle Management, Strategic Planning

Infrastructure, Telecom, Healthcare, Financial Services, Real Estate, Pharmaceuticals, E-commerce, Blockchain

Emerging Markets, Middle East

sridhar

L.R. Sridhar

Non-Executive Director, INDIA
Logistics Leadership, Strategy & Governance, Venture Advisory

Sridhar is a seasoned global executive and board advisor with over 40 years of leadership experience across logistics, transportation, agriculture, energy, and mobility. A key contributor to India’s modern logistics ecosystem, he brings deep expertise in strategy, governance, business transformation, and venture advisory.

He has a strong track record of building scalable platforms, leading turnarounds, and advising institutional promoters and venture-backed companies. He currently serves as a fund advisor to multiple VC firms, supporting investment evaluation, portfolio strategy, and founder mentorship across logistics, D2C, deep tech, and AI.

Sridhar also holds multiple board and advisory roles and is a Director at Wheelocity Pvt. Ltd., where he supports strategic growth and rural expansion. His prior roles include Founder & CEO of Connect India, Group Managing Director at Sical Logistics, and senior leadership positions at DHL, TNT, and Sembcorp.

Corporate Strategy & Governance, Venture Advisory, Business Transformation, M&A, Logistics & Supply Chain, Market Entry & Scale-Up 

Logistics, Transportation, Agriculture, Energy, Mobility, Technology, Healthcare, Financial Services

India, Global

okuboh

Ervine S. Okuboh

Non-Executive Director, UK
Economic Development, Business Transformation & International Trade

Ervine S. Okuboh is a highly accomplished economic and business development professional with over four decades of experience across the public, private, and international sectors. Based in London, Ervine’s career reflects a lifelong commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth, SME development, and international trade relations across the Commonwealth.

He began his professional journey in 1975, serving as an Information and Consular Officer for the Nigerian Government, before transitioning into the UK’s economic development sector in 1984. Over the years, he has held numerous senior managerial roles within local, regional, and central government departments, driving large-scale regeneration and business growth initiatives across the United Kingdom.

Ervine has been instrumental in leading and delivering some of the UK’s largest business, skills, and economic regeneration programmes, collectively valued at over £12.3 billion, spanning key cities including London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Leeds. His work has had a transformative impact on SME ecosystems, regional economic planning, and strategic investment facilitation.

With deep expertise in bid design, fundraising, and SME growth strategy, Ervine has consistently secured funding and finance for high-impact projects across sectors such as fintech, energy, and smart technology. Internationally, he has led consultancy and business development assignments in Nigeria, Barbados, the USA, and Jamaica, helping attract and structure investment for developmental and commercial ventures.

Currently, Ervine is spearheading a London-based Business Transformation Programme, focused on delivering finance, business services, and sales growth opportunities for SMEs across Commonwealth countries with a special focus on fintech, energy, minerals, health, and cloud technology sectors.

Local, Regional and international Economic and Urban Development, International Trade Funds, International Trade Relations, SME Business Start-up and Business Development, Growth Sector Markets, Strategic Planning, Public and Private Sector Procurement, Strategic Development Partnerships, SME Investment, Managing Infrastructure Development Programmes, Business Transformation Services, Community and Social-Philanthropic Programmes

Fintech, Energy, Smart Technology, SME Business Support, Economic and Social Infrastructure

United Kingdom, West Africa, West Indies, Asia

venkatraman phd

Aanand Venkatramanan, PhD

Non-Executive Director, UK
Asset Management & Sustainable Investing

Aanand is a seasoned industry leader known for pioneering innovative investment products and sustainable strategies. Most recently, he was the Head of Exchange Traded Funds at Legal & General Asset Management, UK’s largest asset manager, where he drove the development and rapid growth of the business after its acquisition from ETF Securities in 2018. He designed and launched several of Europe’s first thematic funds, spanning battery technology, the hydrogen economy, clean water, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy.

Previously, Aanand was an executive director at Barclays Capital and Goldman Sachs in their index research and structured products businesses, and served as an assistant professor in Finance at the University of Sussex. He has published in top academic journals, co-authored book chapters, and his quantitative models have drawn significant industry interest. Aanand holds a PhD in Mathematical Finance from the University of Reading and is currently spearheading the Commonwealth Fund, which is expected to launch in 2026.

Public and private funds, ETFs, Sustainable and Impact Investing, Quantitative Investment Strategies, Thematic Funds, Thought Leadership, Research and Analysis. 

Global Capital Markets, Clean Energy & Climate Solutions, Technology & Digital Innovation, Artificial Intelligence

Europe and Middle East and Asia

moyse

Harry Moyse, PhD

Non-Executive Director, UK
Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technology

Harry Moyse is an AI researcher, mathematician, and technology advisor with extensive experience across artificial intelligence, quantitative systems, and emerging technologies. Based in London, United Kingdom, he has built a career focused on developing innovative technologies and translating complex technical systems into commercially scalable solutions.

Harry has led and contributed to the development of AI-driven technologies in machine learning, computer vision, healthcare applications, and digital asset management systems. Through his work with research and engineering teams at InCyan, he has supported the development of advanced AI-assisted analysis platforms, metadata systems, and scalable data infrastructure.

In addition to his technical expertise, Harry has advised financial institutions, hedge funds, and growth-stage technology companies, helping bridge the gap between technical teams, investors, and business leadership. Prior to his advisory work, he held research and teaching positions at the University of Exeter, specialising in mathematics, computational research, and interdisciplinary scientific applications.

Harry holds a PhD in Mathematics and continues to work at the intersection of artificial intelligence, research, and commercial strategy.

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computer Vision & Image Analysis, Quantitative and Data-Driven Systems, Digital Asset Management, Technical Communication and Training, Emerging Technology Strategy, Research and Commercialisation, Scalable Data Infrastructure

Artificial Intelligence & Technology, Financial Services, Media & Digital Content, Healthcare & Health Technology, Data & Information Systems, Research & Higher Education

United Kingdom, Europe, Israel, Oceania

ratnayake

Jayantha Ratnayake, PhD

Non-Executive Director, UK
Life Sciences, Clinical Development & Strategic Portfolio Management

Dr. Jayantha Ratnayake is a highly accomplished life sciences, pharmaceutical development, and strategic advisory professional with over two decades of experience across clinical research, biostatistics, oncology, regulatory development, and portfolio strategy. Based in the United Kingdom, Jayantha’s career reflects a strong commitment to advancing scientific innovation, evidence-based decision-making, and commercial development within the global healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.

He has held senior scientific and strategic roles with leading global pharmaceutical organisations including Roche Pharmaceuticals, Roche Diagnostics, and Quanticate, where he contributed to clinical development programmes across oncology, biomarkers, translational medicine, and real-world evidence. His work has supported multiple Phase I–III clinical programmes, regulatory submissions, and strategic portfolio decisions for innovative therapies and diagnostics.

As Founder and Director of ClinStats Ltd since 2014, Jayantha has led the delivery of specialist consultancy services to global pharmaceutical and life sciences organisations, advising on clinical development strategy, statistical modelling, investment prioritisation, and evidence-based portfolio decisions. Through his consultancy work, he has supported major industry leaders including AstraZeneca, Sanofi, Eli Lilly, and Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma.

With deep expertise in clinical development, quantitative analysis, and commercial strategy, Jayantha has worked closely with senior stakeholders, industry partners, and government-facing organisations, helping translate complex scientific and clinical data into strategic business, investment, and development decisions.

Jayantha holds a PhD and continues to work at the intersection of life sciences innovation, strategic advisory, and healthcare development.

Clinical Development & Drug Development Strategy, Biostatistics & Quantitative Analysis, Oncology & Biomarker Research, Portfolio Strategy & Investment Evaluation, Regulatory & Scientific Advisory, Real-World Evidence & Decision Modelling, Business & Consultancy Management, Strategic Stakeholder Engagement

Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Healthcare & Diagnostics, Clinical Research, Life Sciences, Data & Analytics

United Kingdom, Europe, North America, Asia

kumar

Girish Kumar

Non-Executive Director, UAE
Corporate Finance & Risk Management

Girish is a Chartered Accountant with over 10 years of international experience across Africa, Asia, and Europe, specializing in financial management, reporting, treasury operations, risk mitigation, and compliance. He brings strong expertise in commodity finance, supply chain finance, international trade, and managing complex cross-border business operations.

He has a proven track record of driving business expansion and financial consolidation, having supported the establishment of subsidiaries and new business lines across multiple geographies. His experience includes developing comprehensive business plans, securing international funding, and integrating financial processes to align with strategic business goals.

He holds a Postgraduate Certification in Global Business Management from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore, which complements his financial expertise with a deep understanding of international business strategy and cross-functional management. Fluent in English and French, Girish is adept at working with multicultural teams and navigating diverse regulatory environments across both emerging and developed markets.

Committed to continuous learning and value creation, Girish follows the guiding principle of “Learn & Contribute,” consistently delivering meaningful impact and fostering sustainable growth within every organization he partners with.

Financial Reporting & Treasury, Commodity & Supply Chain Finance, Risk & Compliance Management, Business Planning & Expansion, Cross-functional & Multicultural Leadership

Agri-Commodities & Trade, Manufacturing & Industrial Operations, Consulting & Audit, International Trade

Africa, Asia, Middle East, Europe, Canada

birla

astha birla

Relationship Manager, INDIA
Investment Strategy, Financial Analysis & Investor Relations

Astha Birla is a finance and investment professional with experience in investor relations, financial analysis, transaction support, and strategic project execution across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. Based in Mumbai, India, she works closely with promoters, institutional investors, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals, supporting capital raising, strategic partnerships, and cross-border investment opportunities.

Astha is a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), bringing strong technical expertise in financial analysis, valuation, investment strategy, and transaction structuring. She plays an integral role in evaluating investment opportunities, conducting commercial and financial due diligence, assessing project feasibility, and supporting end-to-end execution across multiple transactions and strategic mandates.

Her experience includes building detailed financial models, preparing investment teasers and institutional-grade pitch materials, analysing business fundamentals, and identifying key growth, risk, and value-creation drivers across sectors. She is actively involved in deal origination, investor communication, client relationship management, and transaction coordination, ensuring seamless execution from initial evaluation through investor engagement and closing.

With a strong understanding of capital markets, corporate finance, and investment strategy, Astha continues to work at the intersection of fundraising, strategic advisory, and business growth initiatives.

Financial Analysis & Valuation, Commercial & Financial Due Diligence, Investment Strategy & Deal Evaluation, Financial Modelling & Transaction Support, Investor Relations & Capital Raising, Client Relationship Management, Cross-Border Deal Execution, Pitch Deck & Investment Material Development

Healthcare & MedTech, Renewable Energy & Sustainability, Real Estate, Financial Services, Emerging Technologies & Artificial Intelligence

India, Europe, Middle East, United States, Asia

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