Our team has extensive knowledge of the UK's political landscape, public sector and financial industry
Phil
Woolas
PARTNER
Phil has over 30 years’ experience of local government finance and policy. During his 14 years as MP for Oldham East & Saddleworth, he served as Minister for Local Government under Tony Blair and Minister for Environment under Gordon Brown. As founder and owner of Wellington Street Partners Ltd, he has advised multiple companies on local government, including Virgin Media, Veolia, Santander and Cheyne Capital. Phil was instrumental in taking Oxygen Finance from a SME to listed status as the leading provider of invoice acceleration for UK Councils.
Ian
Gamse
PARTNER
Ian has advised on business strategy, planning and development for a wide range of businesses – from start-ups to listed global companies. He has extensive experience in the technology, finance and hospitality sectors. His primary role in UKPL is to work with our tech clients to make sure that they understand public sector needs and can frame their message effectively, both for prospective customers and for potential investors.
Robin
Henshall
PARTNER
Robin has over 30 years’ experience in investment banking and private equity, and has also worked as a geophysicist in oil exploration. Robin spent over 10 years at UBS / UBS Warburg and ran pan-EMEA investment banking groups in the energy and transport sectors at UBS Warburg, DLJ / CSFB and Societe Generale. He has also run a family office investment arm, established and brought to the point of launch hedge fund and private equity start-ups, and run a Sharia-compliant investment business. Since 2013, Robin has run the private financial investment consultancy firm, Henshall Capital Limited, focusing on the UK and Mexico.
Clare
Starbuck
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Clare has over 30 years’ expertise in Managerial and Business Development roles. Her extensive experience has seen her work in Hospitality Management for global corporations including Marriott, Copthorne and Sheraton, as well as independent hotel companies. Clare also worked as Business Manager at Remploy Ltd for 11 years, where she successfully built a national business stream with turnover of over £3 million, and ran her own company for six years.
Joe
Gamse
AVP
Joe has experience of strategic business planning and financial modelling across various sectors, from FinTech and Alternative Investments to Renewable Energy and Instagram influencers. Joe holds a BA in Modern Languages from the University of Cambridge and a Master’s degree in International Relations from the Harriman Institute, Columbia University, and has passed the Level I and II exams of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) programme.
