The Team
DAVID SUMNER - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
David Sumner brings over 30 years of global leadership experience across the defence, healthcare, mining, cleantech, and industrial & energy commodity trading sectors, with a strong focus on corporate finance and strategic development. He has served in both executive and non-executive roles on the boards of numerous private and publicly listed companies.
Throughout his career, Mr Sumner has consistently demonstrated his expertise in capital markets, successfully raising both debt and equity funding internationally. He has led many companies through to public listing, establishing a proven track record in building and scaling businesses for public markets.
Having spent the majority of his professional life in the Middle East and Asia, Mr Sumner has developed extensive networks within government agencies and the corporate sector worldwide. He is particularly known for his ability to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes and drive outcomes that deliver broad-based value.
In addition to his business achievements, Mr Sumner is the founding trustee of The Sumner Foundation, established in 2019, which reflects his long-standing commitment to philanthropy and social impact.
DR MELINDA FOUTS - CHIEF OF STAFF
Dr Melinda Fouts is a worldwide recognized and highly decorated psychotherapy coach focusing on individuals, corporate executives and government agencies. Her sector agnostic approach has seen Dr Fouts guide and advise some of the world’s most influential people and entities to ensure that their goals are reached in an effective and ethical manner by allowing leaders to focus on critical and strategic thinking, performance optimization, and leadership skills development.
Dr Fouts holds an MA in Psychology from the Pacifica Graduate Institute; she achieved her PhD in Psychology from Saybrook University in 2013. She is a member of The International Coach Federation, the Leadership Investment, International Association of Top Professionals (IATOP) and sits on the Forbes Coaches Council. She received recognition from the IAOTP as the Top International Coach of the Year in 2020 and received the award for Most Empowered Woman of the Year in 2021. Dr Fouts has been extensively interviewed for her expertise in executive coaching and also her book, Cognitive Enlightenment.
RAPHAEL THAM - CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Raphael Tham has worked in the corporate finance sector for the last 25 years with transactions spanning Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Korea, United Kingdom, and the United States. Besides capital markets and M&As, Mr Tham has taken senior management and advisory positions in many companies in various sectors (i.e., the food industry, renewable energy, engineering, finance, IT, etc.). His expertise includes general management, financial controls and regulatory compliance, corporate restructuring, and fund raising. Mr Tham has extensive IT experience having managed the implementation and deployment of multiple enterprise projects in Singapore, to include the national transport company, sovereign fund, health and homeland government ministries.
Mr Tham holds a BA Honors degree from the National University of Singapore; he started his career with the Singapore Economics Development Board.
ANGUS MCCAFFERY - ADVISOR
Angus started his career in the telecom sector, having co-founded Maintel in 1991. He went on to then take it public on the London Stock Exchange where it remains listed today. He remains a shareholder and Non-Executive Director of Maintel which continues to achieve annual revenues in excess of £100m.
In 2019, Angus became the cornerstone investor in 4GD a high-tech Defence business leading the way in immersive close quarter combat training, with facilities in UK and US for Elite Special Forces. Angus has a strong pedigree in the Telecoms and Defence sectors with an intrinsic understanding of capital markets.
The Team
DAVID SUMNER - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
David Sumner brings over 30 years of global leadership experience across the defence, healthcare, mining, cleantech, and industrial & energy commodity trading sectors, with a strong focus on corporate finance and strategic development. He has served in both executive and non-executive roles on the boards of numerous private and publicly listed companies.
Throughout his career, Mr Sumner has consistently demonstrated his expertise in capital markets, successfully raising both debt and equity funding internationally. He has led many companies through to public listing, establishing a proven track record in building and scaling businesses for public markets.
Having spent the majority of his professional life in the Middle East and Asia, Mr Sumner has developed extensive networks within government agencies and the corporate sector worldwide. He is particularly known for his ability to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes and drive outcomes that deliver broad-based value.
In addition to his business achievements, Mr Sumner is the founding trustee of The Sumner Foundation, established in 2019, which reflects his long-standing commitment to philanthropy and social impact.
DR MELINDA FOUTS - CHIEF OF STAFF
Dr Melinda Fouts is a worldwide recognized and highly decorated psychotherapy coach focusing on individuals, corporate executives and government agencies. Her sector agnostic approach has seen Dr Fouts guide and advise some of the world’s most influential people and entities to ensure that their goals are reached in an effective and ethical manner by allowing leaders to focus on critical and strategic thinking, performance optimization, and leadership skills development.
Dr Fouts holds an MA in Psychology from the Pacifica Graduate Institute; she achieved her PhD in Psychology from Saybrook University in 2013. She is a member of The International Coach Federation, the Leadership Investment, International Association of Top Professionals (IATOP) and sits on the Forbes Coaches Council. She received recognition from the IAOTP as the Top International Coach of the Year in 2020 and received the award for Most Empowered Woman of the Year in 2021. Dr Fouts has been extensively interviewed for her expertise in executive coaching and also her book, Cognitive Enlightenment.
RAPHAEL THAM - CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Raphael Tham has worked in the corporate finance sector for the last 25 years with transactions spanning Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Korea, United Kingdom, and the United States. Besides capital markets and M&As, Mr Tham has taken senior management and advisory positions in many companies in various sectors (i.e., the food industry, renewable energy, engineering, finance, IT, etc.). His expertise includes general management, financial controls and regulatory compliance, corporate restructuring, and fund raising. Mr Tham has extensive IT experience having managed the implementation and deployment of multiple enterprise projects in Singapore, to include the national transport company, sovereign fund, health and homeland government ministries.
Mr Tham holds a BA Honors degree from the National University of Singapore; he started his career with the Singapore Economics Development Board.
ANGUS MCCAFFERY - ADVISOR
Angus started his career in the telecom sector, having co-founded Maintel in 1991. He went on to then take it public on the London Stock Exchange where it remains listed today. He remains a shareholder and Non-Executive Director of Maintel which continues to achieve annual revenues in excess of £100m.
In 2019, Angus became the cornerstone investor in 4GD a high-tech Defence business leading the way in immersive close quarter combat training, with facilities in UK and US for Elite Special Forces. Angus has a strong pedigree in the Telecoms and Defence sectors with an intrinsic understanding of capital markets.
DAVID SUMNER - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
David Sumner brings over 30 years of global leadership experience across the defence, healthcare, mining, cleantech, and industrial & energy commodity trading sectors, with a strong focus on corporate finance and strategic development. He has served in both executive and non-executive roles on the boards of numerous private and publicly listed companies.
Throughout his career, Mr Sumner has consistently demonstrated his expertise in capital markets, successfully raising both debt and equity funding internationally. He has led many companies through to public listing, establishing a proven track record in building and scaling businesses for public markets.
Having spent the majority of his professional life in the Middle East and Asia, Mr Sumner has developed extensive networks within government agencies and the corporate sector worldwide. He is particularly known for his ability to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes and drive outcomes that deliver broad-based value.
In addition to his business achievements, Mr Sumner is the founding trustee of The Sumner Foundation, established in 2019, which reflects his long-standing commitment to philanthropy and social impact.
DR MELINDA FOUTS - CHIEF OF STAFF
Dr Melinda Fouts is a worldwide recognized and highly decorated psychotherapy coach focusing on individuals, corporate executives and government agencies. Her sector agnostic approach has seen Dr Fouts guide and advise some of the world’s most influential people and entities to ensure that their goals are reached in an effective and ethical manner by allowing leaders to focus on critical and strategic thinking, performance optimization, and leadership skills development.
Dr Fouts holds an MA in Psychology from the Pacifica Graduate Institute; she achieved her PhD in Psychology from Saybrook University in 2013. She is a member of The International Coach Federation, the Leadership Investment, International Association of Top Professionals (IATOP) and sits on the Forbes Coaches Council. She received recognition from the IAOTP as the Top International Coach of the Year in 2020 and received the award for Most Empowered Woman of the Year in 2021. Dr Fouts has been extensively interviewed for her expertise in executive coaching and also her book, Cognitive Enlightenment.
RAPHAEL THAM - CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Raphael Tham has worked in the corporate finance sector for the last 25 years with transactions spanning Southeast Asia, China, Japan, Korea, United Kingdom, and the United States. Besides capital markets and M&As, Mr Tham has taken senior management and advisory positions in many companies in various sectors (i.e., the food industry, renewable energy, engineering, finance, IT, etc.). His expertise includes general management, financial controls and regulatory compliance, corporate restructuring, and fund raising. Mr Tham has extensive IT experience having managed the implementation and deployment of multiple enterprise projects in Singapore, to include the national transport company, sovereign fund, health and homeland government ministries.
Mr Tham holds a BA Honors degree from the National University of Singapore; he started his career with the Singapore Economics Development Board.
ANGUS MCCAFFERY - ADVISOR
Angus started his career in the telecom sector, having co-founded Maintel in 1991. He went on to then take it public on the London Stock Exchange where it remains listed today. He remains a shareholder and Non-Executive Director of Maintel which continues to achieve annual revenues in excess of £100m.
In 2019, Angus became the cornerstone investor in 4GD a high-tech Defence business leading the way in immersive close quarter combat training, with facilities in UK and US for Elite Special Forces. Angus has a strong pedigree in the Telecoms and Defence sectors with an intrinsic understanding of capital markets.