Tom Atherton
Governance

Non-Executive Director. The President and Chief Operating Officer for a major UK PLC on the FTSE 250 index, Tom is helping us choose the right investment strategy and financial partners.

Tom is a chartered accountant who has worked for Dairy Crest Group plc since 2005, his latest promotion following the acquisition of Dairy Crest by Saputo in April 2019. He is a member of the Board of Dairy UK and a member of Business in the Community’s Finance and Risk Committee. He has previously held senior finance positions in Logica plc and Thorn plc.

Hugh Dennis
Managing Director

Founder and Managing Director. Hugh has run architecture practices and property development companies for the past 20 years (he is currently also a director of Urban View and of Rosefield Group).

Hugh brings together his experience in construction, property and design to disrupt the failing status quo that has brought about the housing crisis. His background in construction and ecological building design, along with his architectural training and knowledge of property development informs how Little Ships can maximise the social, aesthetic and financial benefit of their target sites.

Carol Duncumb
Governance

Independent Advisor. Carol is an experienced Non Executive Director and Business Mentor, with a proven track record of developing owner managed businesses in consumer technology.

With over 30 years experience of growing, managing and selling businesses with notable successes, Carol has strong interpersonal ability, negotiation, Business Planning and development, Building Sales and Marketing Strategy skills. At Little Ships, Carol acts as a key mentor and advisor to the board and leadership team

Richard Hoile
Construction

Non-Executive Director. A working partner at a leading project management and surveying practice, responsible for large infrastructure  projects, Richard will help us organise and build our projects efficiently.

Richard has recently completed the enabling works for over 1,000 apartments to be built above an active post office in central London. He is a collaborative team player, an effective mediator and a dynamic negotiator when faced with complex and difficult construction problems.

Kate Olley
Legal Counsel

Non-Executive Director. An established and highly experienced Barrister specialising in land use and planning matters, Kate will help us negotiate planning, property, public and environmental law.
She is valued for her judgment, good legal sense, the clarity of her advocacy and written advice, and for her approachability and excellent client care. In her planning work Kate acts for both developers and local authorities at planning inquiries and hearings and in the High Court and Court of Appeal.

Brent Taggart
Financial Director

Non-Executive Director. A seasoned, international C-level executive for technology sector start-ups as well as established businesses, Brent is helping us develop and maintain a viable business model.

Brent has been the Financial Director for a $250m pan-European business unit, Head of Strategy and Planning through two IPOs (Equant 1998, Promethean World 2010), a PwC management consultant, and interim Chief Operating Officer for a €20m run-rate EdTech company growing at 60% per annum.