Our Angels are visionary entrepreneurs who are each generously donating £10,000 towards this year’s programme. These funds will be matched by Focus Foundation to create a total pot of £100,000.

These leading figures in the business world are not only successful in their respective fields, but also deeply committed to making a lasting impact on their communities. Together, they are the driving force behind Angels Den, ready to provide vital support to charities dedicated to improving lives in Sussex.

Meet Our Angels

  • An entrepreneur and philanthropist, Chris co-founded Focus Group in 2003, a Comms & IT business that now employs over 1,200 staff across the UK, with annual revenues exceeding £250m a year.

    More recently, he co-founded Focus Foundation, a grant-giving charitable foundation that to date has delivered funding of almost £1m in support of grass-roots charities, particularly those working with underprivileged children and young people and supporting those suffering with poor mental health.

    His two decades of leadership experience in the IT and telecoms sector have covered everything from the development of effective sales teams, cohesive people and culture strategies and robust financial analysis, together with having led and completed numerous M&A and private equity transactions – Chris now uses this experience to support some amazing charities and budding entrepreneurs alike.

    Chris says:

    “I wanted to be part of Angels’ Den because of my strong commitment to community initiatives and passion for making a positive impact. As a co-founder of Focus Group and Focus Foundation, I have championed various initiatives related to employee wellbeing, environmental impact, and community fundraising.

    Being part of Angels’ Den aligns with my dedication to supporting visionary entrepreneurs and inspiring charities to create lasting change in the community.”

  • Sarah is one of Europe’s most prominent entrepreneurs, investors and consumer experts, working mainly in the hospitality and lifestyle sectors. She is a proud mum of four and believes that parenthood and business can exist simultaneously, without sacrificing the quality of each other.

    In her twenties, Sarah led the international expansion of Pizza Express and Planet Hollywood before going it alone to buy Bombay Bicycle Club, turning it into the UK’s largest chain of Indian restaurants. These successes helped establish her as a leading figure within the restaurant industry.

    Sarah is also a recognised media personality, appearing as a judge on Raymond Blanc’s ‘The Restaurant’ and sitting alongside Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Nick Jenkins, and Touker Suleyman as an investor on BBC’s ‘Dragon’s Den’.

    Sarah Says:

    “Brighton is my home, and it’s our people who make this city so special. Having been a Dragon on Dragons’ Den, I’ve seen first-hand how a single pitch can change lives. Angels’ Den brings that same energy to local charities - amplifying voices that too often go unheard.  I love it because it’s the people of Brighton giving back to Brighton.  It’s a privilege to support something so important, where the impact stays right here in our community.”

  • Rob is a local businessman, charity founder, and author of four crime novels. Recently recognised in the Kings honours for his services to young people and philanthropy, his charity, The Starr Trust, helps young people from 10 to 25 years old to fulfil their potential through sports, arts and education.

    He started his first business selling insurance from his bedroom just a few years after leaving school with no qualifications. His company is now 35 years old and has operations in the UK and Africa, with a group annual turnover in excess of £50m a year.  

    He set up the Starr Trust charity in 2008 after losing his father Edward to cancer. His company SEICO covers the full running costs of the charity. He said that he wanted to give others what his father gave him – a belief that he could achieve anything.  The charity has so far helped remove roadblocks for over 6000 young people.

    Since setting up the charity, he has taken on a number of daunting fundraising challenges – including running a series of marathons, completing 52 Triathlons in a single year and swimming the English Channel.

    Rob Says:

    “Being asked by Chris to be part of Angels’ Den was a wonderful moment for me. To sit alongside Chris and Sarah, two people I admire so much, is a great privilege. The idea and delivery of Angels’ Den by Mike Clare is so inspiring to see, he is truly helping so many charities fulfil their own potential.

    Having set up and run my own charity now for nearly 20 years I understand the struggles of fundraising, and I want to do whatever I can to help these charities find the best way that they can to do that. Small community charities do so much for their towns and cities, often unrecognised, and this incredible initiative needs to be supported. I am truly honoured to be a part of this event.”

  • Mike is a passionate serial entrepreneur, probably best known as the previous Chairman and CEO of Dreams Plc, which he founded in 1987 growing it to over 200 superstores before successfully selling out in March 2008 (timing is everything!).

    In 2009 Mike set up his own charity, The Clare Foundation, which helps improve the efficiency of other charities in Buckinghamshire, offering free support and advice, small grants, training, and networking events. The second focus for the charity is helping people with their confidence, self-esteem, and general happiness.

    Mike says:

    “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved through Angels’ Den in 2023 and 2024 and really looking forward to our 2025 event. These events brought together an inspiring mix of charities, friends, and supporters, and created something truly special - not just an evening of generosity, but a platform for real, lasting impact across Buckinghamshire.

    When I first launched Angels’ Den with The Clare Foundation, my vision was simple: to connect passionate local charities with people who could help them grow, innovate, and make an even bigger difference. I’ve always believed that local people and organisations are best placed to know what their communities need - they just need the right support to thrive.

    It means a great deal to me personally to be able to give back in this way. Supporting grassroots charities that are transforming lives on the ground is both a privilege and a responsibility I take seriously. Through Angels’ Den, we’re not just funding projects — we’re backing the people behind them, helping them to dream bigger, build stronger, and change more lives.

    What excites me most is the potential to take this even further. I’m passionate about the idea of replicating Angels’ Den in other counties across the UK - giving more communities access to the kind of support, visibility, and belief that helps charities thrive. That’s why I’m absolutely delighted that Chris Goodman and Focus Foundation want to pilot the Angels’ Den model in Sussex. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share what we’ve learned, build new partnerships, and inspire even more positive change beyond Buckinghamshire.”