Fake it till you make it: A bluffer’s guide to founding a successful business

Alastair is the Founder of EZHR, a HR subscription solution for SMEs that wants to lower barrier of entry to really good advice.

Prior to that he spent 15 years’ working in house for various Blue Chip FMCG and manufacturing businesses along with a number of global BPO organisations. His work was across various areas of specialism including employee relations, organisational change, development, TUPE, and business sale.

Additionally, he hosts The Alternative Business Review. A podcast for early-stage founders that offers an alternative take on what it’s really like founding and growing a business.

I provide employers with advice on both contentious and non-contentious matters, including defending Employment Tribunal claims, in addition to providing employee relations support to HR directors and managers in large national and international businesses.

Following a six month secondment in Fieldfisher’s Silicon Valley office, in the Technology, Outsourcing and Privacy department, I have developed an expertise in data protection legislation (advising on the transition to GDPR compliance in 2018) and specialise in employment privacy issues.

I work closely with our specialist National Minimum Wage team and have been involved in advising on proactive strategies to minimise risks and client exposure.

I really enjoy working closely with clients, focussing on their objectives and ultimate intended outcomes and focus on solutions as to how to achieve these goals. I love any opportunity to network and meet people.

Andy is a Senior Associate in Fieldfisher’s Corporate Team, specialising in mergers and acquisitions, private equity and venture capital and growth equity transactions.

Andy advises on a broad range of corporate matters, with a particular focus on venture capital, growth equity and M&A transactions.

Emerging Companies and Venture Capital / Growth Equity

Andy acts for high-growth companies and institutional investors on venture capital and growth capital transactions and has significant expertise having acted on more than 50 venture capital and growth equity transactions to date.

John joined Alexander & Co as Tax Partner and Head of Tax, having previously worked for KPMG, PwC and Grant Thornton. He advises entrepreneurs, individuals, families and their businesses on tax issues and planning.

John helps clients to stay compliant with tax rules and arrange their affairs in the most tax efficient manner. This includes:

• Incentive planning
• Succession planning
• Exit planning
• Tax aspects of investing and extracting funds
• Acquisitions and disposals
• Reorganisations
• Inheritance Tax Planning

Tech Returners CEO and Co-Founder, and Mum to Ethan and Emmie, Beckie is an executive coach with over 20 years of People development experience. She has a focus on talent management, team effectiveness, continuous performance development, building a diverse and inclusive workforce and has acted as a global People leader, spearheading business growth for international tech companies. Beckie leads the Confidence Community – a programme focused on empowering individuals to transform their confidence and careers as well as ‘Reframe: Women in Tech‘, the largest conference of its kind. Beckie is Co-Founder of Women In Tech North and has won countless awards for her efforts to create accessible opportunities into and through tech, including the Women in Software #WIS Changemakers award in 2022 and 2023 and the Talk Talk Women in Tech 2022 Outstanding Achievement Award.