Board appointments
Commercial judgement. Independent challenge. Public accountability.
Vikas brings an entrepreneur's understanding of growth and risk to board leadership. His current appointments span government, legal regulation, business representation and aerospace, alongside investment and advisory work with growth companies. He combines experience of building and exiting businesses with audit, risk and assurance responsibilities in complex, publicly accountable organisations.
Current appointments
Boards he serves.
His wider portfolio includes the chairmanship of Rdentify, board advisory roles with Enspec Power, Smart-IR and Red Flag Alert, and a partnership at Endgame.
Departmental Board member · Chair, Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero
The UK Government department responsible for energy security, the transition to net zero and the energy system. Vikas is a non-executive member of the Departmental Board and chairs its Audit, Risk & Assurance Committee.
gov.uk
Board member
Institute of Directors
The UK's professional body for directors, incorporated by Royal Charter, which supports, develops and represents business leaders and sets standards for good governance.
iod.com
Non-Executive Director
Solicitors Regulation Authority
The independent regulator of solicitors and law firms in England and Wales, setting and enforcing the standards that protect the public and support the rule of law.
sra.org.uk
Non-Executive Director
Certo Aerospace
The UK's leading sovereign heavy-lift VTOL UAV for defence and civil and commercial roles. A British aerospace company developing the UK's only coaxial VTOL UAV, flying since 2023 with technologies developed in the UK since 2018.
certoaero.com
Chair, Advisory Board
Innovate UK ICURe
Innovate UK's programme for turning university research into commercial ventures, delivered through Innovate UK Business Connect. Vikas chairs the independent Advisory Board.
iuk-business-connect.org.uk
Trustee
Chester Zoo
One of the world's leading conservation zoos and a registered charity, working to prevent extinction through its animal collection, field programmes and science.
chesterzoo.org
Previously
Previously a non-executive board member of the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, a member of the Industrial Development Advisory Board, a non-executive director of the law firm Shoosmiths, Chair of In Place of War and President of TiE UK North.
What he brings
Experience brought to the board.
Strategy, growth and transactions
Experience of building companies, allocating capital and leading more than 25 M&A transactions across his career. Constructive challenge grounded in the practical consequences of growth, acquisitions and exits, and an understanding of the responsibilities of the executive team.
Audit, risk and assurance
Committee leadership and oversight of risk, controls and assurance in complex organisations. A focus on whether information and accountability support better decisions.
Transformation and accountability
Experience of governance through significant organisational change, including the transition from BEIS to successor departments. An understanding of scrutiny, stakeholder expectations and public accountability.
Technology and innovation
Experience across technology investment, AI businesses and research commercialisation. Helping boards examine the commercial opportunity, organisational implications and governance questions together.
Appointments & situations
Where the experience is most relevant.
- 01Founder-led businesses professionalising their governance
- 02Growth, restructuring and preparation for a transaction
- 03Regulated and public-interest organisations
- 04Organisations going through significant change
- 05Audit, risk and remuneration committee leadership
- 06Technology, AI and data governance
How an appointment is considered
The right contribution. The right commitment.
New appointments are considered against the organisation's needs, the contribution Vikas can make, available time and potential conflicts. Discussions include the board's priorities, mutual due diligence and the expectations of the role. A board biography is available on request.
- 01
The organisation's needs
What the board is trying to achieve, and the contribution the appointment is meant to make.
- 02
Fit, time and conflicts
A frank look at the contribution Vikas can make, the time available and any conflicts with existing commitments.
- 03
Mutual due diligence
The board's priorities, papers and meetings with the chair, the executive and fellow directors, in both directions.
- 04
The expectations of the role
Term, commitment and terms agreed clearly before either side commits.