As the 30th anniversary of AIM nears in June 2025, there is a growing focus on the UK’s growth market.
What does it offer to entrepreneurs today; what does it lack?
How to make sure it is fit for purpose for another 30 years; how to increase its appeal if London is to become a global hub for growth companies?
The QCA campaigned for AIM’s creation back in 1995, underlining the need for a market dedicated to small, growing companies.
It seems only right that our members have their say once again as AIM reaches a significant milestone and capital market reform continues to feature heavily on political and business agendas.
That’s why we’ve created the QCA AIM Commission to give a voice to the market’s most critical stakeholders: the companies that use it to raise funds, invest, recruit and grow.
Our Commission brings together seven experienced company directors – CEOs, CFOs, NEDs and founders – who have helped to grow businesses small and large, across a range of industry sectors and geographies. Most of them have used AIM before; some are involved with companies that use the market today.
How do the Commissioners see day-to-day regulatory requirements, costs, liquidity, visibility and the competitive markets landscape? What about AIM’s 18,000-word rulebook?
By June 5, the date of the QCA’s Annual Conference, the Commission will produce a report offering qualitative evidence of the AIM experience, covering a short set of topics.
Hopefully these conversations will also lead to a series of recommendations we can share with LSEG, HM Treasury, the FCA and other interested parties.
As with everything the QCA does, we seek to best support our member companies who already contribute significantly to UK economic growth – as well those ventures that may choose to use the public markets in the future.
Our seven AIM Commissioners are:
1. Elizabeth Lake
Experienced CFO currently at EARNZ and formerly at Revolution Beauty, Everyman Media and Science in Sport. Earlier finance roles at Hugo Boss, Marks & Spencer, Guardian Media Group.
2. William Reeve
Internet-focused entrepreneur and co-founder of Fletcher Research, LOVEFiLM.com and Secret Escapes. Chair at Augmentum Fintech, former NED of Dunelm and Paddy Power.
3. Sangita Shah
Portfolio NED and senior consultant. Chair at RA International and Kinovo Group. NED at Inspired and Nasdaq-listed Forward Industries. QCA board member.
4. Roger Parry
Media and technology executive and investor. Chair of Oxford Metrics; NED Uber UK. Former chair of YouGov, MSQ Partners, Mobile Streams, Future Publishing.
5. Sophie Tomkins
Stockbroker turned NED and audit committee chair. System1 (SID and audit committee chair); Wilmington (NED and audit committee chair); Virgin Wines UK (NED and audit committee chair). Formerly at Hotel Chocolat (NED and audit committee chair).
6. David Evans
Independent biotech professional. Several leadership positions including CEO at Shield, later Axis-Shield. Then serial life sciences NED.
7. Vijay Thakrar
Big Four accounting partner turned NED and investor. Chair of Alumasc Group and Treatt. NED and audit committee chair at Alpha Group International. RSM UK NED.