Meet our team
Led by seasoned professionals with expertise in M&A, corporate finance, due diligence and risk management, the team combines financial acumen with operational experience to manage the company’s growth effectively.
The team's skill and experience in finding great companies to invest in for M&A transactions is directly applicable to identifying great companies to fit within The Signmakers Group.
Darren Jacobs
Founder & CEO
Darren Jacobs is a UK-based business leader and digital specialist. He is currently the Head of Sales (EMEA) at Zitcha, a retail media platform, where he focuses on retail media and commerce media insights
Andre Barrett
Founder & COO
Andre is an experienced entrepreneur, investor and digital product specialist, and the founder of Barrett Ventures, a portfolio of businesses acquired through strategic M&A. With over 12 years running a digital agency, he has led the development and launch of web and mobile products for major brands including Sky, Sainsbury’s and JPMorgan Chase. Combining deep expertise in digital marketing with a strong background in finance — including CFA studies and a CQF qualification — Andre now focuses on acquiring and scaling profitable SMEs, driving growth through digital transformation, operational efficiency and strategic leadership.
Ian Parkinson
Non-Executive Director
Ian Parkinson has led Parkinson Signs for over 30 years, continuing a proud family legacy that spans more than 80 years across three generations. Under Ian’s leadership, the company has strengthened its reputation as a reliable, high-quality B2B sign manufacturer, serving well-known national brands such as Thwaites Brewery and O2 across multiple sites and venues. With a focus on operational excellence, craftsmanship and long-term client relationships, Ian has built a highly experienced team — many of whom have been with the business for decades.