What l can bring to a organisation is a highly experienced senior executive who has a broad range of business skills and commercial expertise.My formal qualification is in electrical engineering through Exeter University U.K.,supported by business management studies at Wits Business School South Africa .l have a very sound,thorough understanding of all aspects of financials.Such as P&L,balance sheet,cashflows,monthly reports, budgets, due diligence,etc,and includes restructuring leveraging,repositioning companies and where needed disposals.l analyse the financials, identify the key drivers of the business and really focus and work these.I have been involved in arranging finance through financial organisations and private equity companies for acquisitions,mergers,purchase of capital equipment,leases,disposals,etc,etc.And have successfully led the integration of companies into a focused path with solid strategic direction.A strong focus of mine is achieving positive return on investment for the shareholders / stakeholders.

After over 18 years senior executive managerial experience at CEO/MD/GM level l have strong successful experience of leading large (over 1000 employees) subsidiaries of global corporations across Africa in the textiles/service /construction/manufacturing / FMCG / engineering/ financial leasing,etc sectors.While working on a multi country,multi site basis, my leadership skills are proven and l have strengthened and grown all the operations that l have been responsible for.This has been for subsidiaries of listed global corporations, while conducting successful business across England,America,Europe,Middle East and the Far East.

My real strength is in analysing a business and by “thinking out of the box” identifying areas of weakness and potential growth,then strengthening the business,developing and setting long term strategic plans which deliver the business growth targets.I have repositioned, enhanced companies,developed well established companies into stronger more effective organisations.Some of these companies operated in various diverse industry sectors simultaneously.My personal driver is to develop business’s, improve operations, enhance processes, procedures and expand their market share and of course leverage the profit levels.Having many years of successful solid business experience of actually making it work on the ground.l can add significant value in utilising my extensive successful business experience and expertise.

DAVID J TOWNSEND

CONTACT DETAILS

actort@r.postjobfree.com

+27(0)76 124 6931 (m)

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CEO / MD “RAINMAKER” STRATEGIC BUSINESS LEADER

[Targeted roles: CEO or MD, responsible for creating growth, expansion and profits.]

Director with a track record of growing shareholder value through inspiring diverse teams to achieve outstanding performance.Extensive experience of customer focused businesses across multi countries and of integrating strategies and leveraging synergies to accelerate growth

Advanced Skills & Expertise Summary

●Strategically & growth focused ● Business Leadership & Management ● Finance ●Change Management ● Performance Turnarounds ● International Business ● Sales & Marketing ● Manufacturing ● Restructuring

CAREER HISTORY

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT. 2013-PRESENT

I had a successful hip replacement operation the end of 2012,l recuperated through December and January then

I started to look for a exciting,challenging opportunity for my experience and skills set.During this period of searching l

was approached to conduct business consulting projects in various sectors.These have ranged from sourcing highly

nutritive dried foods manufactured in South Africa for distribution by the U.N. food aid across Africa,

setting up a company with distribution channels in Botswana for generators manufactured in South Africa

while ensuring all legal requirements were complied with.Also the drawing up of strategic plans,

Implementing plans to enhance companies performances,overseeing change management,etc,etc.

GENERAL MANAGER: NIGERIA

Eqstra Fleet Services Nigeria Ltd (Lagos, Nigeria) 2011 - 2012

[Eqstra is a JSE listed USD1.2 billion company leasing and supplying a wide range of moveable capital assets across Africa}

Leading the Nigeria division with special focus on strengthening and growing the business in Nigeria and West Africa.

Formulating and implementing growth strategy while managing executive team

Leading all marketing and driving business development opportunities

Improved service delivery – distribution, lease & rental of mobile capital equipment

Implemented & ensured 24/7 service with full support and technical services

Full accountability for P&L,HR, Finance,customer service,technical,operations

Special Achievements – Spearheaded an IT upgrade enabling better connectivity,quicker networks and more efficient communication with HQ and with clients

Secured large complex leasing contract with international client in new market segment.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)

Ikaheng HR Services (Pty) Ltd (Johannesburg, RSA) 2009 - 2011

[Ikaheng is a subsidiary of Ukhamba Holdings (Imperial Group), it provides development, training and contract HR & Labour services across South Africa.

Overseeing all company strategy and operations. Tasked by the Board to identify and pursue growth opportunities, while ensuring adequate capacity to deliver services.

Responsible for P&L,operations,HR,sales & marketing with 7 direct reports

Created country wide growth across the training and staffing divisions

Identified new opportunities, formulated growth strategies and implemented them

Initiated strategic Joint Ventures, managing negotiations, relationships & agreements

Maintaining a fully accredited training service – accredited with SETAS, TETA’s, etc

Special Achievements – Created a contract cleaning division,creating 50+ jobs nationwide with strong potential growth prospects.

Established a regional office in Cape Town and secured a hazardous load driver training contract.

Drove the installation of a custom developed, cloud based CRM system across all company offices.

MANAGING DIRECTOR MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT

Bonatla Management Services (Johannesburg, RSA) 2006 - 2009

[Bonatla was a consultancy providing business advisory services – growth strategies, new business setups.]

Managing the consulting firm analysing businesses and investment opportunities across Africa, providing marketing and new business road maps and plans.

Analysing potential new ventures, market expansions and business planning

Assessing opportunities, conducting feasibility studies, making board presentations

Negotiating and securing investment for companies from local & international investors

Advising on operations,projects and formulating a strategic plan to achieve growth.

Special Achievements – Led the setup of a plastic packaging manufacturing company in Mombasa, Kenya with an investment value of $150m.

Prepared and compiled end-to-end marketing plan for a coal mining company in Botswana.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)

XEROX Nigeria Africa (Lagos, Nigeria) 2004 - 2006

XEROX is a global brand in the office automation sector.

Heading the R450m sales,service,manufacturing business with a staff complement of 500,covering country wide with multiple branch offices and agents offices.

Facing the key challenge of expanding services to include private & commercial sectors.

Responsible for full P&L, strategy, planning, finance, sales and marketing

Formulated new strategic direction with shareholders and stakeholders

Lead implementation of services including ‘total’ solutions to global listed groups

Managing performance of sales agents and 80 distributors based countrywide

Negotiating contracts, service level agreements & managing associated relationships

Special Achievements – Successfully refocused the business from dependence on Government sector to the private sector,banking, Oil & Gas, Insurance sectors,etc enhancing cash flow (+100%), growing the company through expanding market spread.

Raised R40m in finance through a private share issue utilising Nigerian stock exchange.

MANAGING DIRECTOR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER (CEO)

Toga Linings (Pty) Ltd (Johannesburg, RSA) 1999 - 2004

[Toga is a manufacturer of polyester, poly/cotton linings & industrial fabrics. It is a subsidiary of DMC a French listed global textile group.]

Managing a business with R186m in turnover, a staff of >300. Reporting to the Board of Directors located in Paris, France. Leading the growth and expansion into new export markets against a diminishing local market share and profits due to Far East competition.

Managing P&L, strategy and overall operations including manufacturing & sales

Secured a large transformational global supply contract with American client.

Identified & implemented expansion into new markets utilising joint ventures

Special Achievements – Grew turnover from R70m to R186m (+265%); by refocusing new team,created high value products entered new markets,securing enhanced margins .

Repositioned company into a 24/7 global operator exporting to five countries

CAREER HISTORY: SUMMARY OF EARLIER POSITIONS

GENERAL MANAGER Powerlogic UK Ltd (London, UK), 1998 - 1999

Managing the R70m pa business. Grew sales by R9m; reduced cost of raw materials by 3% and set up installation teams country wide.

MANAGING DIRECTOR Cooperheat of Africa (Pty) Ltd (Johannesburg, RSA), 1995 - 1998

Increased sales from R15m to R26m; increased productivity, achieved ISO9001, managed up to 800 personnel and reported to the Board of Directors in England.

GENERAL MANAGER Forter (Pty) Ltd (RSA), 1992 – 1995

Managed 350 staff; grew annual sales by 70% (up to R17.5m pa)

MANAGING DIRECTOR / FOUNDER Element & Refractory Industries, 1989 – 1992

SENIOR SALES CONSULTANT Morganite SA Ltd, 1986 – 1989

CONTRACTS MANAGER Electricman (Pty) Ltd, 1984 – 1986

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS

WITS BUSINESS SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

INSTITUTE OF MARKETING MANAGEMENT

INSITUTTE OF REFRACTORY ENGINEERS

EDUCATIONAL DETAILS

CERTIFICATE MARKETING MANAGEMENT WITS University Business School, 1989

CERTIFICATE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT WITS University Business School, 1985

TECHNICAL DIPLOMA: ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Exeter University (UK) 1978

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