Simon Gall

Testimonials in 2012

“Through recommendations the Connect Midlands organisation engaged the expertise of Simon Gall as our London Investor Relations Consultant, throughout 2009/10/11. He is a highly networked entrepreneur in the Southeast (UK) who helped us make successful 3 start-up and 2 mid-tier London technology-investment events, consulted over 30 client companies and brought 482 sophisticated and regulated investors and six presenting company clients from his private network onto our books all on a one day per week contract. I thoroughly recommend Simon as a very effective and likeable professional.
”John Griffiths, MD Connect Midlands organisation
www.connectmidlands.org

"Having worked closely with Simon on a number of research projects during the early days at Integrity Capital Ltd, I admired Simon for his industry expertise, tenacity and his professional approach to work.
To me he was personable, inspiring and a great mentor. He encouraged me to think outside the box, opened up my eyes to opportunities and made me believe that everything is possible. Without him, I would never be close to where I am now and I look forward to an opportunity to work with him again in the future."

Linh Tran, Investment Analyst, Capital Partners Group

www.capital-partners.co.uk

Testimonial in 2011

" I have known Simon personally since 2010 and of his excellent reputation before that. I am delighted to be part of Simon's initiative with Integrity Capital [Ltd] and his growing network of high impact business people."
Paul Ash, CEO Basalt Global Ltd, Director Rockpool Investments LLP
www.basaltglobal.com www.rockpool.uk.com

Testimonial in 2010

"I have known Simon for over 10 years. He is a highly connected marketing and business development professional, highly regarded by investors and company founders as a "safe pair of hands" and an innovator."

Mike Escott, Director, Briceamery Capital.

www.briceamery.com

Testimonials in 2009

"... Without seeming forced, Simon has the gift of being able to make powerful introductions that have really helped propel PrivateFly forward."

Adam Twidell, CEO, PrivateFly Ltd

www.privatefly.com (the private jet booking network, voted "the hottest website in travel" by Times Online)

"Simon is first rate at building trusted relationships and developing business.

He has a first class network and knows how to get people on-side.

Highly recommended for opening doors for you."

Gavan Burden, CEO, BurdenDare Ltd

www.burdendare.com

Testimonials in 2008

"Simon networks effortlessly, has a good eye for business opportunities, is internationally savvy and knows how to grow businesses."

Henri Winand, CEO, Intelligent Energy

www.intelligent-energy.com (World Economic Forum Economic Pioneer 2006)

“Simon is a consummate networker combined with searching strategic thinking. Watch out - great ideas come from working with him!”

Peter Gardner

[then] Sector Head for Media &Technology,

3i plc Venture Capital

www.3iplc.com

“Simon is an excellent communicator and networker, with extensive sales and marketing skills. He contributed substantially to the development of the business when we worked together and I hope to be able to work with Simon again in the future.”

Roger Keenan, Managing Director, City Lifeline Ltd

www.City-Lifeline.co.uk

[previously] Founding Director, Horizon Technologies Ltd

www.horizon-technologies.co.uk

"I have known Simon for several years. We first came together at Otodio when I was the interim CTO and he was Co-Founder leading the fund raising and business development efforts.

Simon is the most connected and most tenacious person I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. His work ethic, energy and drive to succeed are unique. Simon and I have become firm friends and were it possible I would like to find a way for us to work together again. He would be a real asset to my organisation.

If you are looking for someone to take the lead in transforming your business into a thriving sales led organisation I would thoroughly recommend you speak with Simon.”

Peter Borner, Managing Director, Axispoint Solutions Ltd

www.axispoint.com

[previously] Interim CTO'1' of Otodio Ltd & Inc,

VP Global Web Operations Sony Music International,

CTO of G-Tech Europe.

"Simon is at the forefront of the breed of entrepreneur with his core values based on scruples and ethics.

He obviously has a keen eye for business potential and subsequent incubation and exit. He can embellish any opportunity with his business development insights and experience.

But for me Simon's core competencies around business idea creation, highly developed cultural awareness, 'win-win' attitude, his openness (and passion) to help and connect others.

His long term relationship-building style and extensive high quality network coupled with his rocket high cognitive and emotional IQ are a few of the reasons I would emphatically endorse Simon without hesitation."

Ralph Harvey, Serial Entrepreneur; Interim-CEO Prime View Inc.

www.primeviewusa.com

"I have known Simon for over 4 years, and during this time Simon has been instrumental in helping to build the business investment & incubator model that Venesis operates.

His deep understanding of the venture capital market in the UK and the connections he has makes Simon a unique individual and someone I would highly recommend to any business that is entering the VC market. Simon's insights and experience will prove invaluable."

Adrian Giles, Managing Director, Venesis Limited

www.venesis.com

"Simon is insightful, with good common-sense approach to business based on a wealth of experience. I am happy to recommend him as an outstanding business advisor."

Kenneth Campbell, Managing Director, Big Green Book Ltd & BGB Consulting.

www.BigGreenBook.com

"Simon has an extensive network of contacts. He understands the value of developing relationships. These relationships are of value in a world where Word Of Mouth Marketing is a key driver. Experience of establishing organisations from scratch and contributing at Board level.”

Alan MacKelworth, Chairman, Alan MacKelworth & Co Ltd

www.AMacLtd.com

"Simon has an excellent work ethic and is very creative in his ideas. His execution and implementation is unrivalled. I am glad I have had the opportunity to work with him.”

"Simon is very driven and an entrepreneur at heart. He thrives at problem-solving and enjoys technology challenges. He is articulate and I have enjoyed Speaking with him on numerous technology issues in the past and continue to do so."

"Simon is a true go-getter and networker, with a strong sense of personal integrity. While being open-minded and egalitarian in outlook, he maintains a strong core of caring for others. He is also a brilliant problem-solver with a natural gift for navigating the many twists and turns faced by businesses at all stages of growth."

Phil Inje Chang, Business & Product Development, Practical Innovation & Change Ltd, Asia.

"We have known and worked with Simon for many years. He has assisted Ascendant in many areas, but especially in Business Development. His extended network of quality relationships in the media and technology industries has frequently delivered interesting opportunities for our corporate finance business. So much so in fact, that we have recently formalised our relationship with him so that he is now a key member of our Associate Network."

“Simon was recommended to me by a leading London VC, and from our first meeting it was evident why he is so sought by CEO’s in the high tech sector. He is an extremely well connected and engaging individual, with a strong track record of bringing in high net worth individuals to both established and start-up businesses. Moreover, he is an accomplished market strategist, foreseeing new opportunities, and engaging clients with a clear rationale of the relevant benefits that a technology has to offer.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working closely with Simon for over one year, taking Otodio’s technology into London’s major financial institutions. He is a very impressive client facing individual: enthusiastic, knowledgeable and masterful in his negotiating style.

If you are looking for a prime mover to drive your business forward, I would strongly recommend that you give Simon a call. I look forward to the opportunity of working with him again.”

[previously] Chairman & CEO, Phillips Auction Group Int’l; Foreign & Colonial Bank.

“Simon is a very experienced and well networked serial entrepreneur widely known, and respected across the UK's TMT seed capital and new ventures communities.”

[previously] Partner, Venture Capital in Hill Samuel, Singer & Friedlander, Libertas Capital.

"Throughout my long career I have enjoyed working alongside some of the great businessmen at the top of their industries. I am sure that one day very soon - with the right team, finances and project - Simon Gall shall successfully join the ranks of the top entrepreneurs!

“As Business Consultant thereon to Acting General Manager [2002] in the Valetti Group he proved to be a unique individual whose services to the Valetti companies rose above our best expectations of him....we found him to be unpretentious, likeable, friendly, knowledgeable and very effective in all of his duties and associated roles.”

“I’m pleased to say that I have valued his friendship and business acumen since that time”.

[now] Assessment Services, £25m+ Projects Manager, Xerox Global Services www.xerox.com

“Simon Gall has been an excellent partner for Cityzone because he has very good ideas, great energy and first class contacts, is a doer and is utterly reliable.”

To say he made a great contribution to PerfectPlay and Otodio would be an understatement."

"Simon is a very well known and respected professional: one of the best business development professionals in the UK not yet in a multi-national company."

“Simon Gall came highly recommended by an ex client as one of the best Business Development Directors in the UK. As well as being a very respected and networked individual, he has also proven a great Advisor to my business and brings in clients of a very high calibre. He certainly lives up to his repute as a man who makes businesses accelerate.”

He has been Board Advisor to Harley Street Cosmetic for 4 years. He has invaluable ideas and contacts which have helped us move forward. His work is always on budget and on time. I can only highly recommended Simon and give him praise for his hard work in our cosmetic company.”

"Simon Gall is great fun to work with. Doesn't suffer fools. Has impressive knowledge. Good contacts. Thinks in and out of the box. Got results, where outsourced companies had previously failed!"

"We continue to seek his expertise as an Associate for our company and can recommend him to any other venture capital, corporate or independent incubation firm and those who may consider employing him as a Director or Senior Consultant."

"I found Simon Gall to be a well respected and networked businessman within the UK hi-tech and media related early-stage companies and associated venture capital communities. At all times he was most effective, enterprising and swift in his assistance when called upon to provide his Business Development expertise. A very likeable and trustable man."

"Simon's grasp of the way both the venture capital ecommerce marketplaces evolve is highly impressive. He has shown that he has an excellent appreciation of what is required to create a successful business in the new economy and has provided wise counsel to us."

"Throughout his time with E-ssociates Ltd we and our clientele found him to be a very valuable asset to our business. His advice, dedication, integrity and work we found to be unquestionable and of the highest quality."

"I came to appreciate his strengths of honesty, empathy with clients, diligence applied to a broad knowledge of best practice in business. ...His greatest strength is his holistic approach to...strategic thinking, building team confidence, directing new and better alternatives in marketing, sales, communication, public relations, partnerships and general business development."

"He proved himself to be the most impartial and most practical advisor...and an effective and trustworthy professional. A person who cuts through the current industry-wide hyperbole and produces worthy business advice."

"Simon Gall is a man of many practical talents and abilities supported by a wealth of expertise. I can highly recommend him."

"Working with him on a multi-million pound venture...I found Simon Gall to be that rare combination of an independent analytical mind mixed with a very visionary and energetic, entrepreneurial spirit. A man who gets results. I certainly look forward to working with him again."

"He did amazing work for [two of] my businesses in London within a very short period of time. Mr Gall is an Entrepreneur whom I am confident shall also become a leading-light in the not too distant future."

"From our first meeting with Simon we found him beneficial. Simon acted as our External Advisor, giving us practical advice and alternative ideas on our negotiations in the acquisition of venture capital. We look forward to working with Simon again."

"Simon was well respected for his investigative qualities and his ability to present coherent reports on complex matters. We [the Board] are confident that had Simon Gall been allowed to extend his contract we would have been successful in either securing funds or establishing a technology partner relationship."

Chairman, Trafalgar Computer Group (of companies) Ltd. [trade sale in Q1,2007 to the British Standards Institute].

"Simon Gall very quickly proved he could build and establish very high level business deals with such entrepreneurial vigour that it leaves others standing in his wake. A man to have on your side and woe betide you if he's your competitor."

"Working with him was in many ways a refreshing experience. He is a creative, highly motivated individual with a deep understanding in cultural differences, who helped us greatly to seek and develop UK market opportunities."

“His experience in the industry has enabled him to support his well researched lectures with case studies from the real world and to bring in major figures from the industry as guest lecturers.”

“Simon wrote and lectured the radio production and media law units of the BSc program. He also specified and installed professional quality audio studios. In addition he wrote and delivered a number of specialist radio production units, often working out-of-hours on special assignments and projects.

He was a gifted academic and media professional, well known and sought-after by the higher education centres across the Southeast of England. ...I can thoroughly recommend him as a dedicated, hard working, professional colleague!”

“I am very happy to confirm that Simon lived up to all our expectations of him.

“For five years Simon taught audio and radio production BTEC & C&GLI diplomas as Visiting Lecturer, and Tutor. He rewrote and improved all of these modules. His excellent industrial contacts and experience ...brought success in ...funding substantial new equipment. Under his sole guidance, students won a national radio competition sponsored by Warner Bothers. ...we would have no hesitation in re-employing him.

"Simon Gall was Visiting Lecturer and Group Tutor for five years. He was a flexible, energetic and courteous colleague who would be an asset to any staff team. His combination of relevant practical and teaching experience, together with his excellent personal qualities makes him an ideal lecturer.”

"As Visiting Lecturer in BTEC radio production, journalism and media law, over four years, Simon Gall was a proficient and well liked professional. I recommend him without hesitation to other colleges."

"I can wholeheartedly recommend Simon Gall to Directorates in the sound or television business and wish him luck in any future venture."

"I found him an inspiration with whom it is easy to relate and whose widely respected Consultancy services have been highly beneficial to both myself and to those colleagues who have gained from his insight."

"I commend him to future Directors, or those who may use his outstanding abilities in a consultative or advisory capacity, and wish him well in the future."

"Additional to his day jobs in the media industry, Simon Gall was a part-time gymnasium/fitness instructor, employed on occasional weekday evenings and as Club Manager on weekends. ...I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Simon."

"Simon worked as a broadcast journalist and technician, then Q&A and features writer and producer for VoA; broadcasting across Western Europe and occasionally across the USA. He was a proficient and popular professional who left us on the best of terms.