Enter the UK market with insiders who know the buyers, distributors and investors
Registering a UK company takes about a day. Getting in front of the right buyers, distributors, partners and investors takes local relationships. Boardio connects you with UK-based advisors and non-executive directors who already have those relationships and can open doors for you. Browse the advisors below, or let us run the search for you with Turnkey.
- Customers
- Distributors
- Partners
- Investors
Entering The UK: what usually blocks foreign companies
- Buyers and investors who rely heavily on warm introductions and trusted references.
- Regulated sectors such as financial services and healthcare with their own rules and gatekeepers.
- Strong local competitors and a crowded London market where it is hard to stand out.
- Corporate governance expectations, for example a credible non-executive presence on the board.
Advisors based in the UK
A selection from Boardio's network of 1,000+ advisors in the UK. Full details available after starting a search. Profiles anonymised
Ex-Founder, Top-200 London Ad Agency: Launched 457+ Global Brands
With 35+ years in brand and marketing leadership, built a top-200 London ad agency then shifted to helping challenger brands become the go-to in their category by aligning brand, marketing, sales and operations into one commercial growth engine. Specialises in finance, professional services, education, technology and social sector. Serves as Non-Exec Director (3 roles), mentors 15 leaders, author and speaker.
30-Year International Chemical Executive: Oilfield Chemicals Market Entry & NED
Spent 30 years in global corporate roles across Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific before becoming independent consultant supporting oilfield chemicals companies with strategy execution, opportunity identification, material sourcing and profitability improvement. Serves as Non-Executive Director and executive search partner sourcing C-suite and technical talent for the global chemical industry in Europe, Middle East and North America.
Commercial CFO: Private Equity SaaS Buy-and-Build & Exits
Full-cycle PE CFO in SaaS and tech-enabled professional services with buy-and-build, restructuring and successful exits. Built group finance at £200M debt-funded UK/Ireland accountancy platform, driving working capital, M&A integration and exit readiness; previously delivered 15% annual growth and ARR rise from 50% to 80% at a pharma SaaS company ahead of $100M exit.
Regulated Financial Services Leader: Multi-Jurisdictional Expansion & M&A
Over a decade in senior roles across regulated mortgage, protection and investment firms; led multi-jurisdictional expansion, capital/P&L planning, compliance oversight, M&A integration and incentive redesign in both high-growth and turnaround environments. Shaped commercial strategy for international regulated entities, launched new offices in emerging markets and supported group-wide mergers while ensuring regulatory and licensing compliance.
Serial Angel Investor & Executive Search Co-Founder: 20+ UK Tech Exits
Co-founded two executive search firms (one exited via trade sale to a global search firm) with 30+ years recruiting and shaping C-suite, supervisory boards and NEDs for public and private companies. Angel and early-stage investor in 20+ businesses across FinTech and RegTech; advises portfolio companies on board composition and executive teams. Mentor and investor director at Techstars, Startupbootcamp and Level39.
Healthcare Innovation NED & Venture Partner: Commercial Scaling & Partnerships
25+ years driving technology-enabled transformation and business strategy across 14 sectors, most recently healthcare and life sciences; founded and ran a change & innovation consultancy for 18 years serving 90+ private and public clients across Europe. Now NED/advisor and venture partner in HealthTech, focusing on commercial strategy, stakeholder engagement, adoption scaling and strategic partnerships between innovators, investors, providers and payers.
Plural NED & Lloyd's Insurance Broker: FinTech & Startup Mentor
Lloyd's market broker who built and scaled multiple insurance startups in the UK and South Africa before moving into a plural NED portfolio. Held senior independent director and NED roles at an equity crowdfunding platform and insurtech ventures; now provides advisory board support, consultancy and mentoring to aspiring startups and growth businesses. Holds FT Non-Executive Director Diploma.
International Growth & M&A Leader: Ex-MD EMEA, Global Events
Board-level executive with global track record driving organic and inorganic growth, M&A sourcing, evaluation, negotiation and integration plus cross-border team building. Led 1,000-person EMEA operations for a global events leader; served as CEO of a UK public-sector events supplier and Non-Executive Chairman of an events analytics platform.
Let us find your local door-opener
Tell us the market and the doors you need opened. Qualified advisors apply, we send you a curated shortlist, and you pay a success fee from €1,900 + VAT only if you start working with someone we found. No retainer.
Setting up a business in the UK How to find distributors in a new market
FAQ
How do I find distributors in the UK?
Online wholesaler directories list thousands of names but say little about fit. A UK advisor from your industry can tell you which distributors matter and introduce you directly. Boardio lets you find advisors with that network.
What does setting up a business in the UK involve?
Company registration is quick and well documented by the UK government. After incorporation, the work is commercial: first customers, partners and investors. Boardio advisors help with that part; we do not handle company formation.
Can a UK advisor also join our board as a NED?
Yes. Many advisors on Boardio have non-executive director experience. You can say in your search whether you want an advisor, a board member or both.
How much does it cost?
Posting a search and browsing advisors is free. With Turnkey we run the search for you and you pay a success fee from €1,900 + VAT only if you start working with an advisor we found. No retainer.
Advisors in other countries
Boardio covers 120 countries. Browse advisors by location.
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