Nick Alexander

Nick Alexander has worked in new media and entertainment for almost thirty years.

He started his career at EMI working in music and home computer software.

In 1983, he joined Virgin to establish its first computer games publishing business where he also worked in book publishing, early interactive media and with Virgin Atlantic Airways. Virgin sold its games business to Sega of Japan in 1991, at which time Nick became CEO of Sega Europe.

Following success at Sega Europe, he joined the Pearson Group to establish a magazine and video cassette publishing business. There he acquired Future Publishing for £52m and became Executive Chairman. Four years later, he sold the business back to its original owner and management for £150m, having doubled turnover to £100m and quadrupling profits to £11m.

He now leads a portfolio existence as chairman, non-executive director and consultant for a wide range of businesses. He is currently chairman of Player X, an international mobile media company. He has been involved with several fund raisings and two IPOs.

Nick obtained an MA from Christ Church, Oxford and is Vice President of the college’s alumni organisation.

He spends much of his free time tending 40 acres in the English countryside trying to create his "ill informed" idea of 18th century semi-formal parkland.

Simon Fielder

Simon is a partner in the London office of Bird & Bird. Bird & Bird is a leading international commercial law firm with over 630 lawyers around the world.

A corporate securities lawyer, his practice involves advising emerging technology companies on equity financings, flotations and M&A transactions. He focuses particularly on advising companies regarding flotations on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market.

Simon has served as a non-executive director of FUN Technologies Plc, a provider of online gaming services. He is currently a director of Betbull Plc, a European retail betting group.

Simon is the author of the chapter on domestic flotations in Palmers Company Law.

Simon qualified as a solicitor in 1994.

Garry Metcalfe

Garry is an experienced international business executive with a financial management background gained predominantly in the Engineering sector.

Garry has held general and financial management roles at several leading engineering businesses including a total of twelve years at ABB where he gained significant exposure to international operations in Africa, the Americas and the Near and Far East.

In the late 90s, he co-founded a fine food company which owns internationally-renowned brands. As CEO he grew the company organically and through acquisition.

In 2004, he led the management buy out of a £100m professional services company operating in the building services industry where he is currently CEO and the largest shareholder.

Garry has studied at IMD in Lausanne and the ABB Academy, is a Bachelor of Accountancy from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, holds an M.Sc. in Management from the University of London and is a Sloan Fellow of the London Business School.

His most notable achievements include an ascent on the north face of Mount Kenya (17,058 ft.) and completing a 56 mile ultra–marathon in 10 hours, 23 minutes.