• LEAD ADVISOR

    Nick is an experienced independent strategic advisor, investor and executive with 14+ years of cross functional experience in the North American, European & Asian marketplace.

    Nick specialises in commercial strategy, marketing and investor relations and has a wealth of experience in highly regulated markets. He previously worked within the tobacco sector for nearly a decade, where he was US Director of Marketing for Imperial Brands PLC as well as the Cannabis Corporate Development Lead, resulting in the first cannabis investment by a FTSE 30 company in 2018.

    Nick started KBS strategic advisory in 2019, with it’s primary focus on supporting large corporations and investment funds on their commercial entry into the evolving cannabis and psychedelic sectors.

    KBS clients have included global FMCG companies, Biosynthetic and medical device start-ups in both the USA and the UK, Governmental bodies and European funds.

    Nick is also an Advisory Board member for CanEx, a Caribbean wellness and events company, Non-Exec Director of Cannabotech, a CBD and functional mushroom botanical wellness company, and one of the founding partners of Ceres Associates, a life sciences advisory focused on regulatory and commercial advice for SME’s, entering the UK/European food and agri-tech sectors.

Our Network Of Advisors

  • ROBERT JAPPIE

    LEGAL & REGULATORY EXPERT

    Robert specialises in emerging life sciences industries, and is recognised as a leading legal expert in progressive areas of regulation, such as medical cannabis, CBD consumer products, and food-technology.

    He is currently a Partner in Fieldfisher’s Regulatory Group where he provides advice on Life Sciences Regulation In nascent sectors for the UK and European market.

  • DEEPAK ANAND

    GLOBAL CANNABIS & PHARMACEUTICAL EXPERT

    Deepak Anand is a recognized thought leader and subject matter expert who has experience with senior government officials, policy makers, investors and global cannabis producers.

    Anand was executive director for the Canadian National Medical Marijuana Association and was the founder and CEO of Materia Ventures, an international cannabis processing, manufacturing and distribution business.

    He also served on the boards of various pharmaceutical associations across Canada, the United States and Europe.

  • MELANIE GOLDSMITH

    INNOVATIVE FOOD AND BEVERAGE EXPERT

    Melanie Goldsmith is an award-winning entrepreneur with vast experience across food & drink, branding and live experiences in London & New York. She has led 2 companies, Smith & Sinclair and Pollen, from start-up phase and scale to acquisition.

    Melanie is currently the CEO of Food & Beverage innovation agency, Juicy Brick, who work with brands, founders and content creators to identify and develop incredibly disruptive F&B CPG brands + products. From trend forecasting through concept ideation, product development, compliance and QMS systems, sourcing manufacturing to upscaling product innovation operationally; Juicy Brick will support the entire back end of bringing a food business to life. Juicy Brick’s clients range from Diageo, Bacardi and Pernod Ricard through to independent food & beverage brands.

  • CHRIS WALSH

    GLOBAL CANNABIS EXPERT

    Chris served as the founding editor of Marijuana Business Daily during the company’s launch in 2011, becoming the first journalist in the United States to focus exclusively on covering the business of cannabis.

    As CEO of MJBiz, he guided the strategic vision of the company while educating mainstream industries about the marijuana and hemp sectors. He’s also the host of the podcast Seed to CEO. Chris has been quoted as one of America’s foremost cannabis industry analysts by dozens of media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, CNBC and the New York Times. He earned an MBA in international business from Regis University.

  • DAMION CARRUEL

    FINANCIAL MARKETS EXPERT

    Damion has extensive experience in the City of London financial markets, working over 35 years in areas of fundraising, trading, as a broker and corporate banking. He has also set up a number of his own businesses and acted as an advisor for others.

  • SIBUSISO XABA

    AFRICAN MARKET EXPERT

    Sibusiso Xaba is a seasoned finance professional, having worked at Goldman Sachs and Investec in London over 8 years. He has extensive experience covering Africa, specialising in capital markets, debt structuring and syndication, venture capital fundraising, hedging solutions and portfolio management.

    Sibusiso has worked with African governments, sovereign wealth funds, central banks, pension funds and asset managers over his career, closing transactions worth over $5bn. Sibusiso is a Chartered Financial Analyst and holds a Business Science Degree from the University of Cape Town. He is also an Allan Gray fellow.

  • MIKE EIDLIN

    ASIAN MARKET EXPERT

    Born in Tokyo, raised in California - Mike is the founder of WALALA and Pillow - "Made in Japan" CBD skincare and drink brands. He also has a wealth of experience with OEM and ingredient distribution for highly regulated products in Japan.

    In addition - he is an advisor to JPF, The Japan Foundation, helping ink the exclusive distribution rights for Wave Garden in Japan.