Smarter Capital

As Chairman of Smarter Capital, my role is to drive results and find solutions that enhance the Groups performance. I am responsible for overseeing the acquisition of digital marketing agencies for the Group, as well as supporting acquisitions in the e-commerce and Support Services verticals. 

Since June 2022, we have successfully integrated eight companies into the Group, expanding our reach and capabilities locally, nationally, and now globally.

My primary focus is on growing the Digital Agency vertical and supporting the growth of our e-commerce vertical, each with a target of achieving £3 million in EBIT. This growth objective demonstrates our dedication to maximising the profitability and success of these sectors within the Group.

In addition to my responsibilities within the Group, I also prioritise assisting founders in maximising their shareholder value. This indicates our commitment to fostering strong relationships with the entrepreneurs behind the acquired companies, providing guidance and support to help them achieve their goals.

Furthermore, I am leading the development of our "Smarter Fund," which aims to generate above-average returns for everyday capital. This fund offers a secured solution that provides attractive financial opportunities while mitigating risk.

As Chairman of Smarter Capital, I am a results-oriented leader, driving growth in the digital marketing and eCommerce sectors, maximising shareholder value, and providing secure investment opportunities through the Smarter Fund.

Chairman

Smarter Media Ltd

Setting the strategic vision and objectives, and striving for growth through acquisition.

Executive Chairman

Delivering growth and profit through fantastic working relationships, exceeding expectations for our clients and delivering over and above on their campaigns.

Managing Director

Svensoni Paraplanning Ltd

Assist and advise the Board on the growth, marketing and sales strategy.

Non-Exec Director

SOKP Media Ltd.

SOKP Media

Operations Manager - Partner

I am proud to be one of the founders at Smarter Capital and working with an amazing and growing group of people. We excel at maximising shareholder value through strategic acquisitions and driving growth in the dynamic realms of digital marketing, e-commerce, and Support Services verticals.

At Smarter Capital, we are dedicated to cultivating business growth and assisting founder-owners in realising their exit strategies. Our team of passionate professionals is driven by a founder-centric approach, ensuring that your vision remains at the forefront of our partnership.

Specialising in collaborating with owner-managed businesses within the digital marketing, website design and development, e-commerce, IT and support services sectors, we focus on companies with annual revenues ranging from £500,000 to £10,000,000. With our expertise and resources, we are committed to propelling these businesses to new heights.

To better understand who we are and what we do, I invite you to explore our website at www.smarter-capital.co.uk

Here, you will discover the breadth and depth of our capabilities, as well as our unwavering dedication to our people and everyone’s success.

Since June 2022, we have successfully acquired several businesses, including Smarter Media Ltd, ActivelyAds, Outsearch, Dexterous Designs, and Refresh Support. These strategic acquisitions have not only strengthened our portfolio but have also expanded our market reach, enabling us to deliver comprehensive solutions to our many hundreds of clients throughout the Group.

Furthermore, our entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond our core strategy. We embrace opportunities that may not align perfectly with our existing ventures. As a testament to this, we recently completed a corporate carve-out and introduced Smarter Export, demonstrating our ability to adapt and capitalise on diverse prospects.

If you have an opportunity that you believe warrants discussion, I encourage you to reach out to me directly. We welcome conversations about majority, and full acquisition opportunities, as we are constantly seeking new avenues for growth.

Join us on our journey of cultivating success and making a lasting impact in the business landscape. Together, we can unlock untapped potential and achieve remarkable results.

Message me today to explore how we can collaborate and drive growth for you and your business.

#SmarterCapital #BusinessGrowth #Acquisitions #DigitalMarketing #Ecommerce #SupportServices #IT #Distribution

Karl Paul

VirtualNonExecs.com

Virtualnonexecs.com, in addition to being the industry's most dynamic and innovative community for board advisors and non-executive directors, is also the proud home of the VNXD Operator Network. This unique network serves as the cornerstone of our platform's offerings, making Virtualnonexecs.com the unparalleled go-to online community for company directors, CEOs, and chairpersons.

With a robust and ever-growing community of more than 20,000+ members, our platform has firmly established itself as an essential meeting place for not only board advisors and non-executive directors but also their peers across various industries. Here, professionals from diverse backgrounds converge to share invaluable insights, exchange information, nurture and expand their professional networks, and engage in lively debates on key issues shaping the business landscape.

The VNXD Operator Network further enhances this vibrant ecosystem by providing specialized support and resources for individuals making the transition from full-time executive roles to portfolio careers. This dynamic hub empowers these professionals to explore new opportunities, connect with seasoned mentors, and access a wealth of knowledge and expertise to excel in their non-executive director roles.

In essence, Virtualnonexecs.com and the VNXD Operator Network together offer a comprehensive, forward-thinking solution for those in pursuit of board advisory positions and non-executive directorships, making us the ultimate destination for anyone looking to thrive in today's corporate landscape.

Book a demo of the VNXD Operator Network at https://virtualnonexecs.com/opnet-demo

CEO & Founder

EVONA

EVONA recruit exclusively for the entire space ecosystem; from the companies building rockets, rovers, landers or satellites, to those utilising space data through applications and software to help improve and protect our planet. Our mission is to prove there’s space for everyone, no matter their background.

Board Advisor

Viddyoze

Viddyoze is a web based 3D animation software that allows absolutely anybody, regardless of technical knowledge, to create stunning professional animations with just a few steps.

Users simply log in on their web browser (either on desktop or from their phone) and select a template they like. Then they can upload their logo into Viddyoze, customise the template with a few clicks and hit "Render"​. Viddyoze will then go and create their professional animation in the cloud within a few minutes.

Over 100,000 companies use Viddyoze across the world.

Clients include Vodafone, Sony, DHL, Tesla, Verizon, Phillips and Scania.

Street Solutions UK

Advising the Board as a shareholder in a Non-Executive capacity.

Street Solutions UK is an online provider of traffic and event management products.  The brand is  synonymous with both quality and value for money. With exceptional growth, the business sells across all main platforms - their own website, eBay and Amazon.  With a strong reputation and a solid stable of products, the business goes from strength to strength.

If you're working in the trade or just looking to stock up for an upcoming event we've got you covered, carrying large stocks of all items and offering fast, tracked courier deliveries.

Our staff are trained to offer realistic advice when recommending products to suit your project to maintain our goal in keeping customer safe and satisfied.

Board Advisor (Shareholder)

Sustainability Yard

SustainabilityYard is a SaaS business focused on reducing WASTE within the building and DIY industry. Every year 420million tonnes of building materials are bought with 120million tonnes of that going to landfill…can you believe it?

Sustainability Yard are so passionate about cutting down on waste within the industry that they have made their App completely FREE to download and use – taking no commission from your sale.

Buy/sell or giveaway your excess building or DIY materials for FREE and stop them from going to landfill, or even worse, having to pay to put it in a skip!

Board Advisor & Investor

I founded SubbyNetwork.com in 2017 as a job sharing app targeting subcontractors.  Following a period of growth I sold the business and maintained a stake and board advisory role.  

The company has recently moved part of its focus to "sustainability" by removing the 10,000,000s of tonnes of unnecessary waste created by the construction and DIY industries, each year.

Non-Executive Director & Shareholder

The Webinar Vet

Working with the CEO and Board to deliver exceptional growth across this Tech100 business.

We have trebled the business (revenue and profitability)between 2017 and 2019.  

Acquired strategic target 2019.

Non Executive Director

TRIBES

Tribes is a different kind of digital agency. Our home is Manchester but our resources are global – a worldwide network of skilled digital specialists ready to deliver on demand for you. By building bespoke teams matched to every project, we create effective solutions quickly, efficiently, expertly. Every single time..

Non-Executive Director

Careermap Ltd

CareerMap is the leading website for 15-19 year olds looking for a pathway into apprenticeships and early career opportunities. Careermap support over 100 FE Colleges and Training Providers across the UK. We have also powered successful campaigns for BT, British Gas, Lloyds, RBS, The British Army, Rolls-Royce, Sky, ITV and The BBC.

Invested in Dec 2016 - Successfully sold the business to trade buyer in October 2018.

Non Executive Chairman

NonExecutiveDirectors.com

Built the company from Start up to exit. Multi award winning. 

Sold the business in Jun 2016 in a Private Equity backed MBO.

Equinox Financial Search & Selection Ltd

Equinox Financial Search & Selection was set up specifically to deal with senior finance roles throughout the UK. Through our partnerships and our strong networking style, we access a high number of positions which are not advertised in the conventional media; meaning we often deal with vacancies on an exclusive basis.

Equinox combines its mix of business professionals and search professionals to bring a combination which guarantees both the candidate and client a well-informed and efficient service. We take on assignments throughout the United Kingdom and Overseas, providing staff at senior levels. 

Our search oriented approach means that we go one step further than most "recruitment" companies as we rely extensively on the recommendations of industry contacts and networking relationships to identify the highest calibre candidates, not always available through traditional means.

Our focus at Virtualnonexecs is on empowering the non-executive and chair community to build exceptional portfolios. We achieve this by partnering with Private Equity, VC, and Family Office funds, who leverage our Operator Network platform to recruit top board talent without "per hire" fees. As the home to over 22,000 non-executive and chair members, Virtualnonexecs offers unparalleled access to more than 45,000 boardrooms through our members' extensive networks.

Our platform allows members to bring off-market deals forward, connecting them with sell-side advisers and prospective buyers or investors via our DealDirect module. This unique approach bridges key relationships, supporting members in finding opportunities to expand their portfolios.

Throughout my career, I have specialised in guiding non-executive directors and those transitioning from executive careers to successful portfolio roles. My experience includes founding and growing the world’s largest non-executive director network, which was acquired by Private Equity in 2016 following consistent recognition in the Deloitte Fast Track and awards for growth. Additionally, I've built and sold various businesses to both trade and PE buyers.

Today, Virtualnonexecs.com serves as the industry's leading community for board advisors and non-executive directors. With over 22,000 members, it provides a thriving platform for company directors, CEOs, and chairs to connect, share insights, and support the growth of boardroom talent across industries. Visit us at https://virtualnonexecs.com to see how we’re transforming the non-executive space.

Ian Wright

Day 1 of a full business year. 🥶 

Small gains. Done daily. Repeated relentlessly.

Focus on compounding.

#2026 #virtualnonexecs

Board Advisor & Non‑Executive Director | Founder & CEO of VirtualNonExecs | Private‑Equity & SaaS Investor | Governance & Growth Strategist

Following on from my post about professional services firms, yesterday, I had a Wealth Manager DM me.

In the last 12 months he’s lost three clients. Not on performance, service or  fees!

Two had appointed a new Non-Exec and the other was lured by foreign lands. Either way, that was that! 😩

Between them? £16m of AuM. Gone.  The two that moved because of NEDs/Board Advisors made up £8m.

I keep saying it!  It's the same pattern every time:

- New voice in the boardroom.
- Brings “their” people.
- Incumbents don’t even get a proper run at it.
- YEARS of relationship capital wiped out!

We’re now talking about a white-label solution so his clients can find the right NEDs before they hit exit territory.  We aren't doing this to be clever or to “own recruitment”.  We are doing this to mitigate the risk of this happening again.

People still think their biggest risk is a competitor. It isn’t. Your biggest risk is who your client hires. It’s a quiet risk, but it’s a very expensive one! And most firms only notice it after the mandate’s gone.

If you want to explore this angle, DM me.

#Risk #NED #Wealth #ProfessionalServices #virtualnonexecs

Buyers don’t just diligence numbers anymore.

They diligence people. Boards. Judgement. Governance.

The fastest way to lose value in a sale process isn’t a bad month of trading, it’s a boardroom that can’t explain how the business really works.

#scaleup #warontalent #virtualnonexecs

The global war on talent is being fought in boardrooms and the winners will be the ones who treat it like a supply chain problem If you run a business

Open article: The Global War on Talent: The Boardroom as a Value-Creation Engine! by Ian Wright • 7 min read

The Global War on Talent: The Boardroom as a Value-Creation Engine!

“If there is no solution, there is no problem.”

It’s a mantra I’ve tried to build businesses on for years.

I get pulled into a lot of founder conversations, (usually via potential investors)  either to look at co-investing or to be lined up as a potential NED.

A worrying number of them are very cleverly solving problems that simply don’t exist! Or worse… problems that only exist in pitch decks.

If nobody is already:

Paying for a bad workaround, complaining loudly, hacking together spreadsheets and processes or actively searching for an alternative
…it’s probably not a problem. It’s a theory.

Real problems have:

Budget already allocated
A real operational or commercial cost
Behaviour that proves urgency
Buyers who don’t need “educating”

In investing and M&A, nobody diligences the idea.  They diligence revenue, behaviour and pain.  Founders should do the same.

The best businesses I’ve seen (and built) didn’t need market education. They replaced something people already hated.  I also love the phrase: 

"Build painkillers. Not vitamins."

If you’re raising capital or recruiting a board right now, ask yourself one uncomfortable question: What are people already paying to make this problem go away?

If the honest answer is “nothing”… that’s your real problem!

Interested to hear any examples of problems that you've seen being solved that simply don't exist! Feel free to comment....

#Virtualnonexecs

RISK!!

Most professional services firms spend thousands, tens of thousands,  sometimes millions, winning and servicing clients.

Years of graft. Years of trust. Years of being “their go-to”.

Then one day… the client hires a new Non-Exec or Chair. 🎉 Great governance, right? Except…

That Non-Exec: Doesn’t know your firm. Doesn’t rate your firm. Or worse… does know another firm!!

And just like that, when a transaction finally appears - the "real work" - the mandate goes elsewhere! Gone.

30 years of relationship capital. Handed to someone else over a coffee. I hear this story all the time!

It’s one of the reasons we built what we’ve built at Virtualnonexecs.  We give professional services firms a way to:

- Help their clients hire better board talent
- Remove the £50k+ headhunter tax
- And crucially… control the risk of who turns up in the boardroom!

Because in 2026, your biggest commercial risk isn’t losing the client. It’s losing the decision-maker.

If you’re in law, accountancy, banking, diligence, advisory or PE and this makes you uncomfortable… good. It should.

This is a silent risk on every balance sheet. And it’s completely fixable!

#risk #professionalservices #nonexecutivedirector

Big move for us, this!

We’ve teamed up with BusinessCloud to take VirtualNonExecs out into the real world with a series of proper, high-quality, in-person masterclasses across the UK in 2026.

With access to 50,000+ boardrooms via our non-execs and chairs, this is about turning network into real-world value: better boards, better decisions, better outcomes!

Delighted to have Dominique Dempsey on board to run this and great to be partnering with Christopher Maguire and the BusinessCloud team.

First stops: Leeds, end of Feb - "scaling internationally."

This is what happens when a platform stops being "just a platform" and starts becoming infrastructure. 🚀

#Events #BusinessCloud #Virtualnonexecs

BusinessCloud has joined forces with the UK’s largest community of board advisors to hold a series of exclusive UK-wide masterclass business events in 2026.

VirtualNonExecs.com is the UK’s largest community of board advisors, giving corporate partners unparalleled access to the boardrooms of over 50,000 SMEs.
 
The company, which was acquired by Leonard Curtis in 2024, specialises in connecting companies, private equity, venture capital and family office funds with non-executive and chair professionals.
 
VirtualNonExecs has big ambitions to grow and have teamed up with BusinessCloud to hold a series of face-to-face masterclass events.
 
Experienced Dominique Dempsey has joined as events manager and the first two business breakfast has been earmarked Leeds for the end of February on how to scale internationally.
 
Gary Cain, managing director of VirtualNonExecs, said: “We’re delighted that Dominique has joined us and to be partnering with BusinessCloud.
 
“By combining these in-person events with VirtualNonExecs’ existing virtual networking, we are creating a powerful hybrid model that really enhances our offer.”
 
Christopher Maguire, executive editor of BusinessCloud, said: “We’re delighted to be working with VirtualNonExecs. I’ve known Gary and Dominique for a long time and we can leverage our respective networks to produce the best events.
 
“I’ve followed the growth of VirtualNonExecs since it was founded in 2019 and we’re honoured that they’ve chosen BusinessCloud to be their events partner.”

Full story here https://lnkd.in/ekbZ5Zw4

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