OUR TEAM
Mr Patrick Newman
DIRECTOR
Patrick Newman, MA Oxon, Diploma in Law City University has more than 25-years’ experience in the emerging markets of Africa and Central Asia, with particular emphasis on mining, food security and energy including renewables.
He has negotiated licenses in Republic of Sudan (where the UK company in which he was a shareholder was given an award as a good corporate citizen by the Ministry of Mining), agreements in Kenya, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire (an agreement with Africa Rice the body owned by 28 African Governments), and undertaken business development in Nigeria (delivering UK technology in carbon neutral solar powered water desalination as part of a water security solution).
In Central Asia he has track record in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan with focus on the mining sector.
Mr. PRADEEP VENKATARAMAKRISHNA
DIRECTOR
Pradeep Venkataramakrishna is an international business, investment, and strategy professional with experience spanning banking, financial services, investment advisory, product strategy, venture development, and cross-border project structuring.
His career includes leadership roles across leading financial institutions including IDFC FIRST Bank, HDFC Bank, YES BANK, and ICICI Bank, where he developed expertise in private banking, corporate banking, wealth management, structured finance, investment advisory, digital transformation, and strategic relationship management. Throughout his career, he has advised high-net-worth individuals, corporates, and institutional clients while supporting complex financing, investment, and business transformation initiatives.
Pradeep has also been involved in international investment and project development, including advisory work on the US$450 million acquisition of a portfolio of luxury five-star resorts in Thailand, contributing to capital structuring, investment evaluation, financial modelling, and cross-border transaction strategy.
Beyond banking, he has advised and developed ventures across critical minerals, healthcare, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, fintech, and emerging technology platforms. His experience covers venture strategy, project evaluation, capital raising, ecosystem development, investment structuring, and engagement with governments, international investors, family offices, and strategic partners.
As Managing Director of Mars Mining Limited, a London-headquartered critical minerals company, he leads strategy focused on mining intelligence, mineral asset evaluation, resource development, investment opportunities, and international partnerships across emerging markets.
He is currently spearheading the acquisition of a portfolio of gold mining assets in the Kingdom of Morocco through Anglo Arab Morocco Gold Capital Limited, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) established to evaluate, acquire, and develop strategic gold mining opportunities. The initiative focuses on asset evaluation, cross-border investment structuring, government engagement, and the creation of a long-term precious metals investment platform across North Africa.
Having travelled to more than 30 countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, Pradeep brings an international perspective to investment, innovation, and strategic partnerships. His cross-cultural exposure enables him to develop globally connected projects that combine commercial viability with long-term economic impact.
He holds a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Mining Engineering from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Nagpur, and an MBA in International Business from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi. He also completed an international academic exchange programme at EDHEC Business School, France.
Pradeep is a Professional Scrum Product Owner II (PSPO II) and holds professional certifications in AI-Empowered SAFe Product Ownership and Product Management, SAFe Agility, and Lean Portfolio Management. His multidisciplinary background across engineering, finance, product strategy, and international business enables him to bridge technology, capital, and execution in complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
As Director of London Biotech International Ltd, Pradeep is responsible for developing globally connected healthcare, biotechnology, and life sciences ecosystems by bringing together governments, healthcare providers, universities, research institutions, technology companies, investors, and strategic partners.
His vision is to position London Biotech International Ltd as a leading international platform for healthcare innovation, creating integrated ecosystems where medicine, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, digital health, scientific research, education, infrastructure, and international investment converge to deliver transformative solutions that improve lives, strengthen healthcare systems, and accelerate sustainable economic development.
Richard Beresford
LEGAL COUNSEL
Richard Beresford, the Chairman of the London based law firm McCarthy Denning with 50 partners, is a founding shareholder in London Sahara Gold Ltd.
The McCarthy Denning energy practice comprises oil, gas, LNG, power and renewables working in multi-jurisdictional environments and with complex value chains. In oil, gas and LNG, the lawyers have acted across the up, mid and downstream sectors. In the power sector the lawyers have acted variously for sponsors, lenders, fuel suppliers and power off takers and traders.
The 2013 edition of the Legal 500 recommended Richard in both M&A and small and mid-cap flotations categories, saying he is “easy to deal with and can focus on key areas quickly” as well as bringing an international dimension.
Career highlights include advising BAE Systems on its ground-breaking joint ventures with Xchanging, and the resolution committee and winding-up board of Glitnir Bank on issues arising out of the 2008 financial crisis.
Richard has advised on a large number of London Stock Exchange listings, fundraisings and reverse takeovers on AIM and the Official List of the London Stock Exchange, acting for both investment banks and issuers. Recent work includes the listing of Falcon Acquisitions Limited and listing and re-listing Challenger Acquisitions Limited on the standard segment of the Official List.
Simon Chua
Co-Founder of Lead8 .
Simon Chua is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Lead8 . He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from RMIT University and is a member of the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) .
Notable Award-Winning Projects He Has Led:
· ION Orchard (Singapore)
· ICC and iAPM (Shanghai)
· Parade at One Bangkok (Thailand) – Silver Award for Best Retail Architecture at the A&D Awards 2025 ; Finalist at the World Architecture News (WAN) Awards 2026 ; MIPIM Asia Awards 2025 Gold .
· Hongqiao Qianwan Incity MEGA (Shanghai) – Won ‘Best in Asia’ for Retail Architectural Design at the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards 2025 .
💚 Wellness & Healthcare-Related Projects
While not strictly "healthcare," Simon Chua has led projects heavily focused on wellness, nature, and restorative environments:
· Hongqiao Qianwan Incity MEGA (Shanghai): Integrates wellness, nature, and community into a family-friendly destination. Features biophilic design, green roofs, and nature-immersive environments to promote wellbeing .
· Parade at One Bangkok (Thailand): Dedicated health and wellness precincts within the retail experience, integrated with 50% green and open space to create a "calm respite" .
· Azure Bay Experience Pavillion (Sanya): Connects people to light and landscape, designed for both engagement and relaxation .
👥 Current Team Size
Lead8 has a team of over 200 professionals .
🚀 Further Projects
His recent and ongoing projects include:
· Hongqiao Qianwan Incity MEGA (Shanghai, completed 2026): A 256,000 sqm urban retail resort with 300+ brands .
· Azure Bay (Sanya, completing 2026): A bayfront tower and mixed-use development .
· Two major transit-oriented developments in Shanghai for Sun Hung Kai Properties .
