Steven Clarke
Independent Non Executive Director at Reactive Technologies Limited
Steven Clarke
Independent Non Executive Director at Reactive Technologies Limited
Windsor, England
Overview
Work Experience
Independent consultant to growth technology businesses
2013 - Current
Supporting growing businesses and entrepreneurs by rolling up my sleeves and applying my experience of fundraisings (including EIS, debt and buyouts), growth strategies and realisation of equity value. I want to be involved with ambitious, successful people who are good listeners and I will be generous with my time, network, independent view, constructive feedback and energy to develop successful outcomes. I am interested in technology, business services, sports, advanced engineering and investment company opportunities. I am in the process of building a small portfolio of equity holdings and board roles so I am open to early conversations and leads for new potential opportunities.
Independent Non Executive Director
2022
Grid Metrix software enables real-time visibility of grid inertia which is at the core of enabling the transition to renewable energy sources and building reliability and resilience in the zero-carbon power grids of the future. www.reactive-technologies.com Growth equity funding is helping recruit CFO and CRO, expand internationally in North America, Middle East, Japan, as well as further product development including Tradenergy for smarter financial trading insights. The grid solution has been deployed in 7 countries and Reactive is backed by some of the leading climate tech investors including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Eaton, Toshiba and Accenture. Reactive is recognised as a 2022 Bloomberg New Energy Finance Pioneer for its potential to “accelerate global decarbonization”.
Non Exec Chair
2019
QV Systems is a SaaS business with digital workflow and data solutions for the automotive and asset finance providers, dealers and brokers. I was introduced to Daniel the founder and worked with him and his team, including introducing a CFO, to refine the business plan, prepare for equity fundraising and introduce Board governance. Subsequently I have introduced an HR manager to facilitate growth in employee numbers and development of the culture. The Mercia NVM team's knowledge of the customers and experience of growth software businesses enabled us to structure a minority equity investment to suit founder, managers and investor. In 2020 QV Systems has launched new modules for the auto, asset, SME and personal finance markets. COVID 19 has highlighted the benefits of QV's software suite enabling brokers, dealers and funders conduct business digitally and remotely from prospecting through proposals, contracting and terms management. Asset finance and alternative lenders for CBILS can benefit from QV's software enabling their own growth in SME lending through the crisis and recovery period. https://www.qv.systems
Non Executive Director
2014
Planixs has won awards as the fastest growing fintech business according to Sunday Times Tech Track 100 and the US Regtech awards, and is backed by British Growth Fund with minority equity. Planixs is the leader in real time treasury software for banks, exchanges and trading houses. Planixs' Realiti software suite is cloud based and capable of handling complex data, rules and scenarios to deliver excellent return on investment. Planixs is expanding overseas (N America, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Canada, USA) with global partners like Infor, Calypso, DXC Luxsoft, Accenture, Mastercard as well as integration with risk and faster payments software vendors like Murex, Kyriba and Calypso. Realiti provides control and regulatory compliance over cash, collateral and intraday liquidity for Basel III, faster payments as well as stress modelling and business process improvement for liquidity. Planixs real-time capability is a key unique advantage. Initially I assisted Neville, Stuart and Pete with strategic input, introductions to relevant entrepreneurs and businesses, and EIS fundraising support. Other constructive input has included influencing recruitment of an interim then permanent CFO, and a sales manager plus introductions to sales partners. In 2019 I supported the process of raising growth equity from BGF. COVID 19 has put a spotlight on the crucial benefits of real time and cloud based software and the imperatives to understand liquidity and conduct stress modelling which Realiti delivers. https://www.planixs.com/news/intraday-liquidity-real-time-treasury-the-covid-19-advice-to-follow-and-the-advice-to-ignore
Chair, Investment Committee
2019
Bethnal Green Ventures help talented teams launch and scale tech for good ventures that will significantly improve millions of lives. Technology has the potential to transform the way we approach solving the world’s most pressing environmental and social challenges BGV helps ventures move from start up to stars with its accelerator office space, funding and mentoring. BGV has an LP fund and an SEIS/EIS fund to provide start up funding through to series A in healthcare, education, sustainability, or democracy / civic engagement. I helped BGV establish it's first Investment Committee alongside another independent member and contribute to fundraising and recruitment. In 2021 BGV became part of Connected Asset Management, a multi impact fund manager and a B Corp. BGV remains autonomous with respect to investment activity and benefits from Connected's links to pension funds and it's own regulatory operations.
Non Executive Director, Thames Ventures 2 VCT plc
2021
Foresight Ventures team is focussed on Technology (B2B SaaS, Deep Tech) and Healthcare (Devices, Diagnostics, Therapeutics) The focus is on Seed and Series A funding rounds in the UK and US. Appointed as a non exec to assist with this transition from generalist to specialist VCT including fundraising to increase the investment capacity.
Advisor to Founders
2021
InvestCloud Inc is the global leader in wealth technology, formed through the amalgamation of InvestCloud, Finantix and Tegra118, backed by Motive Partners, Clearlake Capital, Fiserv and other co-investors including the founders of Finantix and myself. Finantix became InvestCloud Europe and Asia with the same team led by Christine Ciriani as CEO. I continue supporting the two founders as shareholders and managers challenging and reviewing execution of the growth, integration and value creation strategies. I provide constructive input on financial, commercial and people performance matters. The group has over 900 employees across US, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia, UK and Europe with a fantastically rich mix of cultures, skills and experience both technically and entrepreneurially. John Wise, Group CEO, has tremendous vision for the functionality, service and value for money that InvestCloud can deliver for clients globally with a SaaS platform for front, middle and back office.
Board Advisor
2016
Ishka is an exciting growth business providing Insight, Analytics and Advisory services by subscription to the aviation industry primarily relating to financing of aircraft Ishka was founded by a team of serial entrepreneurs and I provide support for business planning, growth strategy, fundraising, potential acquisitions and partners.
Advisory Board Member
2017
Providing the executive leadership team with a critical and supportive perspective for the strategic and financial plans. Providing commercial links for research, teaching, fundraising, student internships, placements and graduate recruitment. Acting as an ambassador for the school.
Board Advisor
2013 - 2021
Chanzo 'delivers brilliant' through consulting for organisation design and operational delivery as well as recruitment process outsourcing for major events, sports and projects. Clients include Baku European Games, Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games, Dubai Expo, Paris 2024 Olympics and organising committees of forthcoming sports events. Corporate clients include technology and PLC businesses seeking rapid scale up and enhancement of culture and values as well as HR and recruitment processes. Chanzo is supporting the COVID 19 NHS PPE Production Leader with rapid establisment of the organisation and deployment of teams of personnel from industry, NHS and military. Chanzo was founded by leaders of the London 2012 HR team who also have significant international coporate experience. I provide support on business planning and finance, growth strategy, as well as structuring and negotiation of major cotracts and joint ventures.