The Tristart Team
Richard Johnston – CHiEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Richard has a wealth of commercial experience gained through leading roles in the financial services industry, management consulting, corporate venturing and other major business enterprises. He has a passion for business and for helping others fulfill their own professional goals.
Richard has worked with many businesses , both large and small, advising on growth strategies and implementation. He is now positioning TriStart as the ‘gold standard’ for helping individuals and businesses grow and develop and is leading the growth and development of TriStart into other global regions.
Richard has built a high quality team dedicated to making you more successful - all of the TriStart team are focussed on your success.
SIMON PRATTEN – OPERATIONS Director
Simon has been with TriStart through the whole of our Research phase and is now leading our Operations function ensuring that we deliver results of the highest quality to all of our customers, both internal and external. Simon has worked in an advisory capacity with many early stage and corporate clients over the last 10 years advising and coaching on growth strategies and operational effectiveness.
NICK KENT – CTO and HEAD OF CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Nick has a strong background in both Marketing and Sales. He has worked successfully in the corporate world and has also advised many early stage and mature businesses for several years on their business development strategy. Nick is also an expert in product development, web customer service and usability. He uses these skills to constantly improve the TriStart experience and would welcome any feedback you have - feedback@tristart.co.uk
MArk frost - head of technical services
Having originally studied Architecture, Mark has pursued a highly successful career within the IT Industry. After leading several high value ERP projects for leading Building Societies he launched Your IT Department which offers a compehensive suite of support and development services to its clients. Mark combines technical know how with commerical acumen, a rarity with "techies".
Lyudmila LUGOVSKAYA – Product Manager
Lyudmila leads our programme for delivering best practice solutions to early stage businesses. She makes sure everything we produce is relevant and useable by combining an outstanding academic pedigree ( Ph.D. in Small Business Finance from Cambridge University; Certificate in Entrepreneurship (with distinction), Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning, Cambridge University; Visiting research student in Finance, Oxford University; Specialist Degree in Management, Volgograd State Technical University, Russia ) with practical application (she has co-founded one startup business and been a consultant to a number of others).
DR SHAI VYAKARNAM – SENIOR RESEARCH CONSULTANT
Shai instigated and led the research and development programme, from which the TriStart analysis and report was derived. He is currently Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning, The Judge Business School, University of Cambridge. Shai is a dedicated entrepreneur and academic – a rare combination. He is also a founder director of other companies and on the Board of several organisations.
DAVID DAWKINS – CHIEF STATISTICIAN
David is the architect of the statistical model which forms the core technology and intellectual property of TriStart. He has an eminent reputation as a statistician, operating at the leading edges of the subject, and specialises in the identification of new products and services. He works extensively in the financial sector with many of the major banks, the FSA and the Association of British Insurers. David’s other corporate clients include Coca Cola and Nokia.
Arun Muthirulan – Corporate Development CONSULTANT
Arun has more than 15 years of international experience in Strategy and Project Management. He has worked in the IT industry, in India, Canada and the UK, progressing from software development and team management roles to managing complex business critical projects across multiple geographic locations for blue chip clients. Arun works alongside Richard Johnston, dealing with all aspects of TriStart’s international growth programme.
Katie Demain – PROGRAMME Delivery CONSULTANT
Katie is a Coach to entrepreneurs and business leaders. She is an associate for a number of the U.K.’s leading business schools as well as a coach and facilitator in the corporate world and business world. She has a degree in European Business Management and a Diploma in Corporate and Executive Coaching and is an active Ambassador for the International Coach Federation. Katie leads the development and roll out of the TriStart coaching programme.
KEN ASHLEY – MANAGING DIRECTOR – TRISTART USA
Ken has spent the majority of his career in entrepreneurial roles, largely in IT and Software, most recently he founded LevelOne Partners, a sales, marketing, operations and business development consulting agency. Ken works with early stage and established companies, developing proven strategies and solutions for improvement in how they utilise people, process and technologies. Ken is responsible for the growth and development of the TriStart business in the USA.
JONATHAN MCGREGOR – HEAD OF DIRECT DEVELOPMENT
Jonathan is an experienced Marketing and E-Commerce Commercial Channel Director with experience in International and UK Retail and Financial Services markets. He has helped develop and launch new online distribution channels including the first online bank and comparison website in the UK. Jonathan is responsible for developing our affiliate partner and product supplier programmes.