Danny Lopez

London, UK

Director

Rhetorica

Biography

Danny is a former former banker, marketer, diplomat and scale-up exec who is currently the founding director of Rhetorica, aimed at supporting start-ups, scale-ups, international corporates and trade/investment promotion agencies with their leadership, strategy and international growth challenges. Most recently, he was the COO of Blippar, a technology company specialising in augmented reality and artificial intelligence.

Previously he held the position of British Consul General to New York for five years. Prior roles include being the inaugural CEO of 'London & Partners' as well as a number of senior international positions for Barclays Bank.

Danny Lopez’s Newsfeed

Accountancy Age

Ditch the fear, embrace innovation

As Adam Kene, managing director at Kene Partners, and Danny Lopez, non-executive director at Innovate Finance and member of the Kene Partners advisory board confirm, the UK now has a chance to put a flag in the ground, to build on a strong innovation foundation and look forward to a bright future.

Ditch the Fear, Embrace Innovation

The future of the UK economy will depend on the creation of an environment that enables SMEs across the country to innovate and succeed. As Adam Kene, Managing Director, Kene Partners, and Danny Lopez, Non-Executive Director, Innovate Finance and member of the Kene Partners Advisory Board confirm, the UK now has a chance to put a flag in the ground, to build on a strong innovation foundation and look forward to a bright future.

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Danny Lopez’s Background

Rhetorica

Director

Jul 2018 - Present

London, UK

Rhetorica helps private and public sector organisations with their leadership, strategy, delivery and international growth challenges. Drawing on Danny's experience in banking, economic diplomacy and tech, as well as a global network across business and government, Rhetorica delivers advisory services to start-ups, scale-ups, larger businesses and trade/investment promotion agencies.

Blippar

Chief Operating Officer

Aug 2016 - Jul 2018

London, UK

As COO Danny oversaw Blippar's global operations and strategic planning at a time of ambitious growth and international expansion.

British Consulate General New York

British Consul General

Jul 2011 - Jul 2016

New York, US

As the senior British diplomat to New York, Danny was responsible for promoting the UK’s economic profile, foreign policy and national security priorities. He also led the operations of UK Trade & Investment across nine cities in the US.

London & Partners

CEO

Dec 2009 - Jul 2011

London, UK

Responsible for creating London & Partners, the UK capital’s promotional agency for business, visitors and students and was its inaugral CEO.

UK Government

UK Trade & Investment - Managing Director, Marketing & Communications

Jan 2006 - Dec 2009

London, UK

Responsible for delivering a new marketing strategy to promote and showcase the UK economy internationally.

Barclays

New Business Director

Jul 2005 - Jul 2006

Mumbai, IN

Lead role to drive revenue and business development traction ahead of Barclays’ commercial banking launch in India.

Barclays

Head of Inward Investment

Feb 2004 - Jul 2005

London, UK

Responsible for leading Barclays’ Inward Investment Unit, being its face in the market and managing its team of business developers.

Barclays

Director of Business Banking USA

Jan 2002 - Apr 2004

New York, US

Responsible for senior relationship coverage of a US based multinational client portfolio with a mandate to generate US Debt Capital Markets and Corporate Banking sales.

Barclays

Associate Director - Inward Investment

Jan 2000 - Jan 2002

London, UK

Responsible for managing the relationship with 25 North American based business introducers, undertaking regular calling programmes in the US and Canada.

Barclays

International Banking Associate

Jun 1998 - Jan 2000

Miami, US

Responsible for the risk management of a portfolio of Latin American based banks and corporates.

Barclays

Graduate Management Program

Sep 1996 - Jun 1998

London, UK

Joined the Barclays Bank Graduate Management Scheme in September ’96. Undertook a 21- month training programme focusing on leadership, sales management, credit analysis and presentation skills within Barclays Retail & Corporate Banking.

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Other Business Interests

Innovate Finance

Non-Executive Director

Oct 2017 - Present

London, UK

Innovate Finance is an independent, non-profit membership based organisation and industry body serving the financial technology community.

Grant Thornton Commission for the Vibrant Economy

Commissioner

May 2017 - Present

London, UK

Grant Thornton UK is working to stimulate ideas and action to develop a vibrant economy in the UK. To help lead this nationwide inquiry, some of the country’s pioneering business leaders, charity executives, local government representatives and thought leaders have formed the Vibrant Economy Commission

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Danny Lopez’s Education

University of Essex

Master's Degree in International Economics and Finance

University of Essex

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Economics