Matthew Gaved has extensive experience in high-technology, consumer marketing and corporate strategy and communications. His first degree was in Psychology (Durham University). At LBS he also took part in the International Management Programme, studying in Paris and New York. He then worked for Inchcape in Singapore before returning to London to manage a portfolio of brands in the Far East and Europe for International Distillers and Vinters (now part of Diageo). As Sales and Marketing Director of Psion in the early 1980s, he was responsible for the launch of the Organiser – the world’s first PDA. He then worked for business communication consultancies, including City specialist Dewe Rogerson (now part of Incepta).

In 1992 he started a PhD at the London School of Economics on corporate governance. This was awarded in 1997 and funded through consultancy work and publishing ‘Governance’ – the leading independent newsletter in the corporate governance field. He appointed a new editor in 1999 in order to focus his activities on Added Value Capital Partners.

 

Chris Poulton is a serial entrepreneur with a background in technology start-ups. He holds a first degree in engineering from Bristol University and an MBA from the London Business School. He has over 20 years experience of building businesses in the TMT space and has achieved a number of profitable exits. His early career was spent in business development working for blue chip companies in information technology and electronic payments. At Rhone Poulenc, now Aventis, Chris led the group’s UK computer media activity before becoming Director of International Operations in Paris, responsible for seven European marketing companies and worldwide exports.

He then returned to the UK to set up 3C Communications, a joint venture between Millicom and the Kinnevik Group. Chris developed 3C into the UK’s leading independent credit card payphone network and pioneered the introduction of self-service card payment systems in car parks, winning contracts at major airports.

Chris went on to be CEO of Cardcast, which he built up to be the UK leader in card fraud prevention serving all the UK’s significant financial card issuers, oil companies and supermarket groups. He led its IPO on the London Stock Exchange AIM market, prior to Cardcast merging to form the core of what became Retail Decisions Plc with a market capitalisation of over £300 million.