Why a director, adviser or executive who invests behaves differently
- Directors who bring capital as well as counsel, so incentives are aligned from day one.
- A vetted network of non-executive directors, advisers and C-suite operators, full-time or part-time.
- You set the minimum investment before any introduction is made.
- Search and advisory support from pre-seed through Series C.
How does a board search run, step by step?
The search runs in three stages. You brief us on the capability gap and the investment you expect alongside the seat, we return five ranked candidates within 21 days, and you appoint the director you want, with their investment agreed as part of the appointment.
- 01
Tell us the gap
Your stage, your sectors, and whether you need a non-executive director, an adviser or a C-suite executive, full-time or part-time.
- 02
Set the ask
State the investment you expect alongside the seat, from £25k to £1m.
- 03
Meet a shortlist
We introduce vetted directors, advisers and executives who match on both counts.
What does a non-executive director actually do at a seed-stage company?
At a seed-stage company a non-executive director attends or chairs monthly board meetings, holds the founders to a plan, challenges the numbers, opens doors to customers and investors, and helps with senior hiring. They govern rather than manage: no day-to-day execution, and roughly one to two days a month.
When should a startup appoint its first independent director?
Most companies appoint their first independent director at a priced seed or Series A round, when an investor asks for board structure or the founders need a voice that is neither founder nor investor. If everyone in your board meeting is one or the other, that is the signal.
How much equity does a non-executive director get?
There is no fixed rate. UK non-executive directors at seed and Series A typically hold between 0.1% and 1%, granted as options or shares vesting over two to three years. An investing director buys shares on top of that at the round price, so their stake reflects cash actually paid in.
Wondering what it costs? Board search is a fixed £6,950 per mandate — see the full pricing.
Eight investing directors and advisers placed, across two companies.
Real placements, in the words of the founders and leaders we worked with.
“The whole team were very efficient and had clear targets in place, which they were brilliant at communicating all feedback and requirements. The team were on the ball and passionate about what they do, easy to work with and will work hard alongside you to make things happen.”
“Diligent and focused on outcomes. That sums up the team in many ways. I've worked with the team for 2 years now — long may that continue, because finding another team would be looking for needles in big haystacks.”
Guides for companies
- When should a startup appoint an independent director?
The trigger is not a stage, it is a board composition. If your board is founders and investors with nobody independent, you are already late.
- What does a non-executive director do at a startup?
Four jobs: hold the chief executive to account, bring pattern recognition, open doors, and turn the board into a decision-making body.
- What does a non-executive director cost in the UK?
Fees, equity and time commitment, using published UK benchmarks: £80,888 across the FTSE 150 and £41,686 across private companies.