Meet the team behind Access EIS

CEO Graham Schwikkard has over a decade of experience with data science and working with large datasets. He has a fascination with the dynamics of the startup investment network and after coming across the Companies House dataset in 2017, he spent many hours designing much of the analysis behind the Access Fund. Graham would like to see Access become a vehicle for delivering efficient capital throughout the network, and increase the odds of the system producing more Unicorns and economic growth.

Prior to working at SyndicateRoom, Graham spent seven years as a management consultant, and has significant experience of helping companies develop market strategies and optimise business models. He also has in-depth technical expertise, focused on maximising efficiency.

After completing his MBA in Cambridge, Tom co-founded SyndicateRoom to give a wider audience access to venture capital investment. As co-founder, Tom works across all aspects of the business, with an emphasis on product development and marketing strategy, and as much direct contact with our super angels and investors as possible. He enjoys being plugged into the wider industry and sits on the board of the UK Business Angel Association. He also hosts SyndicateRoom’s Angel Insights podcast, interviewing key industry figures. Prior to founding SyndicateRoom, Tom was Product Manager at TheTrainline, where he headed up the launch of its mobile applications.

Fran has six years’ investment experience and in-depth knowledge of a wide range of sectors, including life sciences, e-commerce and film. She has significant experience negotiating fair investment terms, managing due-diligence processes and EIS documentation, as well as client relations.

Since she joined SyndicateRoom as its first employee in 2013, Fran has overseen more than 200 early-stage funding-round transactions, leading sales, legal and deal-analysis teams. She has also been instrumental in building the business and co-creating a strong, supportive culture. She is a regular panel speaker and presenter, and her investment commentary has attracted media coverage in The Telegraph, The Times and CityAM. Fran read Psychology at the University of Cambridge and has a post-graduate diploma in Law.

Miruna advises on strategical relations and partnerships including those with institutional investors and our super angels.

She has previously worked with hundreds of startups, grown and managed an extensive community of partners, and launched a product to increase access to capital and connect entrepreneurs with the most relevant strategic investors for them – from angels and family offices to VCs and corporates.

Anthony is responsible for taking companies through our investment process and works on the data analysis that drives the Access EIS fund.

Prior to SR, Anthony worked for several banks including Goldman Sachs, Barclays and NatWest. He has both an MSc in Chemical Engineering and a BEng in Materials Science from Imperial College London and an MBA from London Business School.

Jon is responsible for liaising with portfolio companies, managing all EIS activities and assisting with investor queries.

Flavie carries out investor requests and provides portfolio management administrative tasks

Omar is responsible for managing the relationship and working closely with our clients – both existing investors and investee companies. His other key duties involve conducting the pre-emption funding rounds for the platform investors, managing the post activities of our funds’ investments, carrying out reconciliations and other ad-hoc projects ensuring that they conform to FCA regulations.

Previously, Omar worked as a Project Developer and holds an BSc (Hons) of Computer Science and a Master’s degree in Project Management.

Sonia is responsible for designing visual indentities and creative concepts for print, web, and mobile. She works closely with SR's development team to produce user-friendly experiences for our website.

With over 10 years experience in the design industry, Sonia's talent has been recognised with a Hermes Creative Award for her work on SR's Syndicate Magazine and 'The Art of Fundraising' guide. Sonia's contribution to SR's annual 'Top 100: Britain's Fastest-Growing Businesses' report has resulted in press coverage from The Sunday Times, Evening Standard, and Forbes.

Martin studied English at the University of Cambridge and has been working as a copywriter and content strategist for 15+ years. In that time he's created content for print and digital publications, websites and social media spanning arts, culture, travel, legal and financial, including work for Sotheby's and VisitBritain.

Chris is one of our software engineers. His responsibilities vary from frontend design and maintenance to assisting the development team with the backend that drives Syndicate Room. Chris has 20+ years coding experience working on a variety of projects large and small.