Expanding to the UK?
Let’s make it straightforward.
Setting up a UK operation takes longer, costs more and creates more friction than it should. I've been through international expansion, so I understand what matters and how my network and process can make your expansion faster.
I act as your UK Nominated Director — a legally compliant, UK-resident director on your board — and as the trusted point of contact who connects you to everything else you need: banking, legal, compliance, accounting, insurance, recruitment and a registered office. One relationship rather than ten.
This isn't a rubber-stamp service. I take on a small number of clients deliberately, work through a proper AML/KYC process, and only take engagements where I'm confident the fit is right, for both of us.
For Foreign Businesses Entering the UK
What a Nominated Director actually does
What’s included:
UK-resident director
AML/KYC verification of your business and principals
Monthly check-ins and access between sessions
Director’s service address (separate from your registered office)
Introduction to my trusted partner network
Optional: advisory, fractional leadership and coaching as your UK operation grows
UK company law requires at least one director who is a natural person. There is no requirement for that director to be UK-resident, but in practice, banks, HMRC and many commercial partners expect one. If your founding team is overseas, that's where a Nominated Director comes in.
I act as a named director on your UK company, providing the legal presence your business needs to open accounts, establish credibility and operate compliantly from day one.
What I don't do is sit on the filing and disappear. You get regular contact, honest input and — when it's useful — a sounding board who understands both the UK market and what early-stage international expansion actually looks like on the ground.
You don’t just need a director. You need a network.
The part that takes the most time when entering a new market isn't the paperwork, it's finding the right people. Who do you trust for legal? Which bank will actually open an account for a non-resident business? Who handles your AML/KYC without turning it into a six-week process?
I've already built those relationships. When you work with me, you get immediate access to a curated set of partners I've worked with and trust:
Banking: A UK banking partner experienced with non-resident and foreign-owned businesses
AML/KYC: A compliance partner who handles verification efficiently and properly
Registered office: A trusted provider in London
Legal: UK solicitors who understand market-entry and international corporate structure
Accounting: Accountants experienced with foreign-owned UK entities and cross-border tax
Insurance: Business insurance tailored for UK operations
Recruitment: If you're hiring in the UK, people who know the market
You don't have to find any of these yourself, and because these are working relationships — not cold referrals — things move faster.
A note on costs:
London has a reputation for being expensive. Some of that is warranted, but it's also manageable with the right setup. Lighter market-entry structures can give you London's network and credibility without a full London cost base from day one. UK talent is also spread well beyond the capital. Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Bristol, Leeds are all easily accessible and, in a hybrid world, genuinely viable. And if you're coming from the US, you'll likely find most UK costs run lower than what you're already absorbing at home.
How It Works
I keep this straightforward. There are four stages:
Stage 1 - Initial conversation
We talk through your business, your UK plans and what you need. This is as much about fit as it is about scope. I only take on engagements where I'm confident I can add real value.
Stage 2 - Due diligence
I work with my AML/KYC partner to conduct full compliance checks on your business and principals. This protects both of us and ensures your UK entity starts on a clean footing.
Stage 3 - Appointment and setup
Once checks are complete, I'm appointed as director at Companies House. I introduce you to the relevant partners in my network, such as registered office, banking, legal, accounting, and we get the infrastructure in place.
Stage 4 - Ongoing engagement
We establish a rhythm that suits your needs. Monthly for most clients; more frequently in the early months. You have direct access to me between sessions. As your UK operation grows, the engagement can grow with it.
Fees: One-off verification and onboarding charge. Monthly retainer, agreed at the outset. No hidden charges.
Optional “add‑ons” – advisory, fractional or coaching – can be layered on top if you need deeper support with strategy, operations or leadership as you grow.
External costs (registered office, legal, accounting, insurance and similar) are quoted and managed separately through my partner network, so you always know what you're paying and to whom.
UK NED for UK Businesses
Already based in the UK?
I also work with UK founders.
The Nominated Director service is built for international market entry, but if you're a UK-based founder looking for a Non-Executive Director who brings operational weight rather than just a name on the board, that's a separate conversation worth having.
I work with a small number of UK startups and growth businesses as a NED, providing independent challenge, strategic input and a network that can open doors. If you're scaling and you want a NED who has actually run businesses — not just advised them — get in touch.
How I Decide Who To Work With
I keep my Nominated Director and NED portfolio deliberately small. Before I agree to any appointment, we:
Clarify your business model, ownership and ambitions
Complete proper AML/KYC checks
Agree the boundaries of the role, responsibilities and risk
If it’s a fit, you get a UK‑based operator with board‑level experience and a practical lens on governance.
If it isn’t, you get a clear, honest “no” early, rather than a half‑hearted relationship.
What This Is Not
This service is not:
A registered office or mailbox service
A shell company arrangement
An automatic yes to any business that applies
