David Sheridan – Chairman/Owner
Worked in father’s business, which grew from one man band to 300 employees, every holiday between the ages of 4 and 18. David then trained as a Chartered Accountant with an engineering background (BSc Eng.) and worked for two large Multi-Nationals rising to Commercial Director in one of their largest subsidiaries. He joined his father’s new business in 1983 and was MD between 1990 and 2015, taking the company from zero profit to £1m in 5 years. Chairman of Veruth since its establishment in 1990 and a Director of a German owned UK sales subsidiary and other Veruth investments.
He has extensive experience in turning companies around and is really interested in the long term successful development of SME businesses. Among other activities he was on the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accounts (was Vice-Chairman of the Board of Chartered Accountants in Business) and is currently on the main board of Semlep and Chair of The Shared Learning Trust.
Hillary Sheridan – Business Development Director
Working with companies to support them as they grow. Utilising over 15 years’ experience in the fields of programme management, business support and leading teams. Having worked for 8 years internationally, including Dubai and Rwanda, has knowledge of how to manage and work with diverse teams both physically and remotely. Specialises in budget management, strategic planning and problem solving. Hillary is also Chair of Governors at her local primary school and part of Hertfordshire’s Shared Care scheme.
Peter Kara FCCA – Non Executive Director
A qualified accountant with extensive business involvement in starting and managing companies, initiating successful management buyouts, and 30 years of investment experience in a diverse range of companies. As a former Finance Director and major shareholder in a packaging group, coupled with his experience starting and running, as CEO an investment company, Peter brings a range of skills to the Veruth board. He has also served on the boards of voluntary and NHS organisations and regards the social and environmental responsibilities of commercial companies as fundamental to their own future success and to the essential wellbeing of the wider community in which they operate.
Nick Shah – Non Executive Director
Nick has been running, managing and growing businesses since 1991 when he and his family acquired a loss making paper distribution business. This business was turned around, grown 10 fold and eventually sold within the trade in 2006. Since then he has been investing in technology start-ups as an angel investor. He is co-founder of rise.global and is currently part of the leadership team of CareLineLive, a fast-scaling cloud-hosted software solution used by domiciliary agencies to help them manage their day-to-day operations. His strengths are in optimising operations, strategic business planning, data analysis and always asking obvious questions.
Andrew Yates – Non Executive Director
Andrew is an experienced corporate solicitor and a partner at a law firm in Hertfordshire specialising in acquisitions, disposals, investments and shareholders’ agreements. Andrew is listed as a “next generation partner” (previously “rising star”) and recognised as a key lawyer in the Legal500 2021 rankings, the leading independent guide to the best lawyers in the UK.
Andrew helps Veruth manage its portfolio of companies, in assessing prospective investment opportunities and in respect of board governance.
Helen Cooke – Non Executive Director
Helen has worked in leadership roles in HR and Organisation Development for over 20 years across public, commercial and not-for-profit sectors. She specialises in culture and organisational change, working with Executive Committees and Boards to ensure the alignment of internal strategy with business objectives. She is currently leading the cultural transformation of a private equity-backed global specialty insurer. She is also a charity trustee and governor of a group of schools in London.
Divyesh Kamdar – Non Executive Director
A committed and visionary senior executive with a track record of growing flourishing businesses from concept to sustainably successful. Started his career as an Accountant and went on to work for top consultancy firm McKinsey, before wanting to put his skills and experience to the test and start his own business. Divyesh founded and developed the Comline business from concept to current group turnover of £75m with four European subsidiaries and 250+ employees. In addition to this he has founded and started several other successful family businesses concurrently in retail, development and management.
Christine Sheridan – Company Secretary/Non Executive Director
Brings over 30 years experience as an educator to the Veruth Board, working with students to help them learn new skills and reach their potential. Ensures a focus on people and how to support individuals within a business to enable it to flourish. People are key to Veruth’s vision and the way that we work.
Deborah Sheridan – Non Executive Director
As an SME founder herself, Deborah understands the excitement and challenges of starting up your own business. Her personal styling business, Styled by Deborah, continues to flourish and expand.
Prior to this Deborah oversaw the business operations for the scale-up of a Medical Communications company which grew from 3 to 45 people over 4 years.
Ildiko Godony – Financial Controller
Significant experience as a Financial Controller in SMEs, covering all aspects of day-to-day transactions as well as preparing Management Accounts, cash flow forecast, raising finance etc. Now Financial Controller of Veruth Holdings and has worked closely with David Sheridan for over 10 years in assessing financially potential investments and acquisitions. Ildiko provides practical assistance to our investments on their financial control systems, obtaining grants and other areas to help their company grow.