Summary

Over ** years board level experience, incl., CEO & MD responsibilities. A consultative, analytical and pragmatic approach to maximising investor returns. Proven team building, leading, and development capabilities; with an open management style, and extensive troubleshooting, creative, and intuitive problem solving skills.

Strategic, start-up & turnaround expertise, strong networking skills, plc board level negotiating background; operational and people management focus; empathy with innovation, and driving projects from concept to completion by the optimum routes.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

Development of cross community proposals to promote economic regeneration through the provision of direct support to early stage and SME businesses adopted by a Invest NI regional development agency, and resulting in the establishment of over 500 new ventures.

Successful delivery from concept, to trading, to business sale, of a mobile technology charity services platform via smstextgiving.com providing free access to charities for fundraising purposes adopted by over 100 charities, with a target market of over 10 million supporters.

Production of business plans, financial plans, direct operational support, sales marketing and PR programmes, recruitment, and mentoring to help others achieve their aspirations through the development of their own business projects. Directing the launch of a range of B2C and B2C customer driven service sector projects in both public and private sectors, across all demographics, including acting as Mentor and Board advisor to projects funded by Arts Council NI and Institute of Directors NI

Leading the launch and profitable growth of two separate financial services businesses operating in B2C and B2B market sectors, from multiple locations, and providing retail, wholesale, and specialist services to specific market sectors, including financial institutions and related businesses

Managing the successful completion of a range of commercial construction projects, including, retail, and shopping centres, residential, industrial, commercial, and historic

Properties, with Multi-Million pound contract values

Working with others, often in cash / equity constrained projects, to improve performance, sales & market share as part of turnaround teams Including UK and overseas Private Equity providers

Managing the negotiation of funding facilities with private equity, venture capital, state aid, shareholders and other stakeholders

KEY SKILLS:

Develop refine & implement corporate strategies to maximise investor returns

Innovative, able to unlock hidden value, and exploit under-performing assets.

Experience of developing successful working relationships with politicians, media organisations, personalities, funders, and other agencies

Inclusive team building approach with internal & external resources to meet agreed objectives

Creating & maintaining a positive corporate profile and media image

Contract negotiation, management, and project management skills

Appreciation of Corporate & Social Responsibility issues gained as Chairman of Smstextgiving Ltd

Personal commitment to equality of opportunity, the sprit of invention, and professional growth of individuals

Interim Manager and Business Consultant - N Ireland May 2005 -

Various projects undertaken, which include project management, mentoring, operational management, team creation, project initiation & development, strategic and financial management, & sales marketing and PR support to a range of innovative new ventures exploiting emerging technologies

These projects have demonstrated a commitment to working across all sectors of the community and political spectrum to support the growth and regeneration of the local economy by working with local people to help them achieve their goals. Projects include:

National PR and events management launch on behalf of Thyme for Healing a co- operative providing complimentary health therapies to individuals and community groups across Northern Ireland

Capital fundraising of £1,000, 000 for planned purchase of 60 acre agricultural property and various buildings for the proposed redevelopment of the site to include leisure and tourism uses

Completion of asset- backed finance sourcing of approx., £1.8 Million to meet cash flow and project plan needs of a regional residential property developer

Development of business and financial plan, and operational structures, including registration of a new UK based company to undertake property investment and development activities

Research and development of full project plan for comprehensive refurbishment of a disused traditional 300 year old formerly thatched Irish Cottage reflecting current environmental concerns and the need to protect the diminishing local heritage

Sourcing of residential and commercial/industrial property portfolios from £2M to £100M on behalf of private investors and hedge funds.

Smstextgiving Limited – Chairman Mar 2003 – April 2005

Leading the June 2003 launch of smstextgiving www.smstextgiving.com, a new not for profit business, which enables charities to collect donations from supporters via mobile telephone sms and related services.

Includes developing strategy, business & financial planning, initial test marketing producing positive responses from leading UK and overseas charities. Initial staff and key suppliers have been appointed. Managing negotiations with prospective funders.

The company is now the major provider of such services to the UK charity sector, with 25 charity customers, including Variety Club, MAG, NSPCCNI et al, using the service and new charities joining the platform at the rate of one per week

Virtual Business Incubator Proposal to Economic Development Organisation:

Production of the financial and business case for a proactive virtual incubator service to complement existing N Ireland business support resources and address the issue of poor sustainability of the local economy, demonstrated by the low levels of innovation compared with the rest of the UK, and the low employment levels within NI companies, 97% of which employ only 3 staff.

An approach to INI (Regional Development Agency) for help to fund this project resulted in INI launching a substantially similar plan branded by them as “Accelerating Entrepreneurship.”

Biometric Security Software:

Develop concept, strategy, business & financial plan, secure seed investment, negotiate contract services, source suppliers, and initial team following a strategic review of the companies existing operations on behalf of a University Incubator.

Manage launch PR, introduce potential customers, & act as board advisor. Project is now in pilot tests with parties introduced, which included major retail banking clients.

In addition a number of successful PR projects have been completed on behalf of new ventures with significant profile gained in the NI & UK press media, local radio and commercial television.

CEO/Managing Director BEEMEDIA PLC - IOM Nov 2000-Jan 01

Headhunted to lead a new executive team, for an offshore portal, web developers, hosting services, software developers, and marketing business, employing approx., 25 staff.

Recruited at the instigation of the Deputy Chairman; I immediately confirmed the appointment of a new FD to facilitate a core team capable of what was effectively a corporate rescue of a poorly performing business.

During tenure the new management delivered the undernoted outcomes: -

Re-defining of the business model to produce projected sales of £15M, & £9M annual profits through development of web based affinity and loyalty card service.

Commenced commercialisation of proprietary software into potential £2.5Billion global market

Created & successfully tested sales and marketing programme using internal & external resources consistent with revised business model, achieving sales hit rate of 60%.

Reviewed funding requirements, liaison with legal & financial advisors re Ofex prospectus, and negotiations with Norwegian based Chairman re buy-in to the new business model.

Re-established good working relationships with local media.

Joint investigation of the real financial position of the business in partnership with the newly appointed FD resulted in a decision by the Deputy Chairman, FD, and myself to resign from the executive and any continuing involvement with the company.

Interim Board Executive NETCRADLE.COM - London Feb 00-May 00

Initiate as part of a small executive team a commercially funded start-up business incubator, undertaking B2C & B2B projects exploiting multi-national technical & design capabilities. The project:

Identified infrastructure requirements and negotiated appropriate contracts with key service providers.

Creation of sales and marketing strategy & profile

Identification & analysis of initial B2B & B2C projects with projected sales of between £2M, & £50M.

Recruit and guide multiple project teams in the creation of business models, financial models, legals, etc.

BUSINESS CONSULTANT 1996-2000

Various projects undertaken including:

New Internet venture: -

Recommended changes in B.P from novelty web based product broadly based promotional / marketing tool to secure sustainable income stream.

Devised virtual business model, based on strategic partnerships with infrastructure providers.

Software developers: -

Strategic review of marketing and distribution channels for an automated speech/unified messaging software author

Devised and implemented Press Promotional & PR campaign with national press, radio & TV coverage, including Radio 4 broadcast (You and Yours) & Tomorrows World

Managing Director MORGAN ROBERTS GROUP LIMITED - Leeds 1991-1996

Multi-site corporate, personal insurances, & financial services group specialising in major corporate & Plc clients, primarily in construction, software, and professional services sectors. The Company employed 28 staff over three centres.

Guiding team to conclude the purchase of a similar business, doubling turnover

Implemented common systems and technology platform

Annual cost savings of 20% & reduction in staffing levels

Regional Director STAFFORD KNIGHT & CO. LTD - Lloyds 1985-1991

Headhunted by specialist media and entertainment industry niche market Lloyds broker as part of a corporate turnaround team.

Established the Northern Regional Office, extended range of services from niche market to full client service, and produced highest per capita return on costs within the extended group.

Account Executive BOWRING GROUP PLC – Leeds 1984- 1985

Major accounts negotiations at PLC board level. Introduced and secured appointment to act for largest new client secured by company with annual spend of approx., £250,000.

Account Executive JARDINE GROUP - Manchester 1982-1984

Servicing major and complex accounts, providing technical support to branch staff, and staff training. Worked with specialist risk management team on major client acquisition projects, i.e. Plc clients in excess of £250,000 annual spend.

Section Head HOGG ROBINSON GROUP–Manchester 1977-1982

Account handling, client servicing, surveys, and technical report writing for major corporate clients.

Underwriter CIS Insurance Ltd – Manchester 1975-1977

Head office trainee underwriter, property department, and insurance administration

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