Chartered Accountant

Member of the 3i plc independent directors panel and of the Non-Executive director panels for Finance Cornwall, South West Ventures and Finance Wales.

Extensive experience of strategic improvement, preparation of business plans and prospectuses, growth management and has raised finance across the board, from business angels and banks to VCs and flotation on Nasdaq.

Background:

Major Tile  manufacturer - Managing Director

Magazine publishers, Internet company, Property developers - Consultancy, management and finance raising

Software company - Finance and Operations Director, based USA. Listed on Nasdaq

Stagecoach Group - Managing and Finance Director roles in UK and Africa

Price Waterhouse and Deloittes - Manager

Exeter University - law degree

Experienced in MD, FD and consultancy roles; skills include general and financial management, strategy, business planning, turnarounds, process and organisational restructuring, corporate finance including investment readiness, mergers and acquisitions. Also mentoring, coaching and training for start-ups and SMEs. Extensive experience in raising finance from banks, business angels, venture capitalists and flotation. Has broad commercial, operational and IT experience and has worked in the USA and Africa as well as the UK.

Chartered accountant with a law degree, trained and worked at Price Waterhouse and Deloittes 1981-1989. Held MD and FD positions within Stagecoach, the bus and train operator, between 1989 and 1995. Joined Select Software in 1996 as CFO and successfully took the company to a $multi-million Nasdaq IPO that year, and was responsible for liaison with Wall Street and London analysts and bankers post-flotation.

From mid-1998 to 2000 undertook a number of consultancy, training and finance raising roles; clients included internet start-ups, a magazine publisher and a property developer. From July 2000 to September 2002, MD at BCT in Devon, one of the largest ceramic tile manufacturers in the UK, successfully expanding revenue and improving production. In early 2003 established The Mill Consultancy, corporate finance and business development advisers. As managing director of the consultancy, he has a number of clients and non-executive roles, including Cornish Sea Salt, Cornish Mutual, Continental Underfloor Heating and Forest Fuels.

Mentor for Prince’s Trust. Member of the ICAEW Corporate Finance Faculty. President of the SW Society of Chartered Accountants in 2009/10. Regularly produces articles and gives talks and seminars on subjects relevant to SME growth and financing.

Testimonials

'He is very experienced both on the financial side and as a business all rounder. He is particularly good at focusing on challenges and problems, analysing them and determining the critical points that need action – in fact he has often turned a ‘panic’ situation into one of opportunity. Jerry is personable and easy to discuss things through with, but can be tough when he needs to be, for example when we had a major dispute with a supplier. We would certainly commend Jerry as an adviser or non-executive director to any company as they would benefit enormously from his experience, insight, excellent communication abilities and general leadership qualities.'

David Wheatley, Director, CWA Events

'[Jerry] combines the strengths of high intellect and clear vision, with a strong sense of realism and immediacy. These attributes allied to the ability to articulate - and deliver - clear, cogent presentations, make him an excellent communicator, on his feet, in front of groups, at meetings, as well as in dialogue with immediate colleagues.

Jerry has an open, engaging executive style which encourages others to collaborate with him, by taking ownership of those areas of accountability which are theirs organisationally, or managerially. Though essentially non-threatening and egalitarian in his approach, Jerry nevertheless, possesses considerable “steel” in his make-up which he uses to good effect, when necessary.

He is an exceptionally logical and disciplined thinker who has a marked ability to crystallise and clarify complex, or evolving situations, so stripping them of irrelevancies and reducing them to their critical elements.'

Michael Williams, Non-Executive Director, BCT

Mike is an international management consultant, teaching at leading Business Schools, including IMD, Lausanne and the Theseus Institute in Nice. Mike served as a colonel in the Royal Navy (Intelligence) and the Royal Marines (Commando and SBS). He is also the author of several books on organisational behaviour.

Specialisms

Corporate finance, investment readiness, business development, strategic planning, non-executive directorship.

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Steve has MD level experience in the multinational FMCG environment and is a specialist in strategic marketing and development. Key skills include business strategy and planning, general management, consumer and B2B marketing, new product development and project management. He is a visiting lecturer in business strategy at the University of Exeter.

Specialisms

Business development, strategic planning, strategic marketing, sales.

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Andrew has a strong background in financial management gained primarily within the manufacturing and engineering industry. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, Andrew has over 20 years experience in Financial Controller and Finance Director roles in Blue Chip UK and US owned companies as well as SME’s. Andrew brings with him a wealth of experience in the following areas:

• Strategic Planning, Operations Planning and Forecasting
  
• The creation of credible business plans at a strategic and operational level giving a clear understanding of market drivers, customer needs, competitor activity, SWOT analysis and key objectives for all business processes.
  
• Financial Control
  
• Implementation of tried and tested business process controls to ensure your business moves safely towards its key objectives.
  
• Performance Metrics and Analysis
  
• Presentation of meaningful financial and non-financial metrics that are aligned to the business needs, produced on a timely basis to identify issues, analyse root causes and help drive permanent corrective action
  
• Continuous Improvement
  
• Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma experience helping to drive business process improvement.
  
• In addition to his financial management skills, Andrew has also managed Operations and Supply Chain teams. He can therefore communicate effectively with finance and non-finance clients.
  

Andrew has a relaxed, personable and supportive style, combined with professionalism and integrity, which helps him to collaborate openly and effectively with clients.

Specialisms

planning and forecasting, financial control, performance metrics and analysis, business process improvement

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Neil is a training expert and business consultant with a passion for business development. Specialist areas include all aspect of interpersonal skills, presentation skills and general management training.

An energetic yet diplomatic style engages partner organisations in achieving a first class delivery of business support.< /p>

From a strong commercial base in a fast moving sales driven industrial sector, Neil's career has included establishing and running a bespoke furniture manufacturing company, and more recently Operational Management within the Government based business support agency, Business Link, in Devon. 

Specialisms

Business development, strategic planning, training.

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Malcolm has specialised in all aspects of management in Financial Services at senior level for the last 15 years. Prior to that he worked in law, heavy engineering and public administration, . Classically trained in marketing at Marketing Centre Europe in Brussels, he has also operated as a Marketing Director in IT, preparing software applications for market and following through to product delivery. A highly experienced Project Sponsor and Manager, he has delivered a number of business-critical projects and new business operational builds. He is pensions adviser at the IOD.

Familiar with leadership theory and practice, he offers situational analysis, diagnostics and remedial planning for all marketing and distribution operations, being prepared to follow recommendations into implementation. This may include integrated marketing campaigns supported by sales operations for SMEs.

As these are so often hampered by internal, as well as external, communication issues, he can act as interim leader for the entire initiative through to bottom-line delivery to ensure the necessary leadership and co-ordination.

Specialisms

Business development, strategic planning, strategic marketing, sales.

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