Experience

Shinfield Studios

• United Kingdom
• Entertainment
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Joint Managing Director

  • Dec 2020 - Present

  I joined the company following the signing of an agreement to develop a 65 acre site near Reading, UK into a major film and TV studios. We also immediately entered into negotiations with Disney to provide 4 sound stages plus workshops and office accommodation for a globally renowned film franchise to occupy from late Summer 2021. This required the successful application for and securing of a temporary planning permission followed by the placing of major construction contracts to develop the site at rapid speed to allow Disney occupation within an extremely tight deadline. Shortly after commencing construction, we applied for full planning permission for the whole site which comprises 18 sound stages plus ancillary accommodation totalling nearly 1 million sq ft. Planning permission was granted in October 2021. Construction of the first 4 sound stages plus workshops was completed in Autumn 2021 ready for Disney's lease commencement and preliminary construction works commenced on the main site in December 2021. We are currently in advanced negotiations to secure the full funding for the remainder of the scheme which is expected to be fully open by early 2024. Show less



Blackhall Studios LLC

• Chief Financial Officer

  • Jun 2019 - Dec 2020

  I joined Blackhall Studios as Global CFO to help the founder develop the group's business plan to create a leading global film studios operator. The group already operated a major existing film studios site in Atlanta and also had secured a development site in Los Angeles. My brief was primarily focused on securing a major new UK development site and negotiating acquisition terms with the landowner. Having approached the University of Reading about a site at Thames Valley Science Park where it had developed the first phase, we reached agreement to develop a 65 acre site and provide nearly 1m sq ft of film and TV studios inclusive of ancillary support space. Negotiations concluded in December 2020 with the signing of an agreement for a long leasehold interest with a newly created SPV, Shinfield Studios Limited which I then joined as Joint Managing Director. Show less



Maximo Studios Limited

• United Kingdom
• Health, Wellness & Fitness

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Jun 2017 - Jun 2019

  Maximo Studios was a start up created by 6 individuals with combined experience in the film and TV industry and property development who had together identified an opportunity to develop a major new British Film & TV studios in order to satisfy the growing global demand for visual media content. I lead the preparation of the company's business plan and the search for suitable development sites around London and the South East. Following the identification of 2 sites, I then lead the identification of potential funding partners and pitched the business plan which subsequently lead to detailed negotiations with a couple of major financial institutions. In Spring 2019, together with the company's COO, we entered into discussions with Blackhall Studios LLC, a film studios operator based in Atlanta, USA in relation to jointly finding, developing and financing a major UK film studios site. Show less



Jack Wills Limited

• United Kingdom
• Retail

• Chief Financial Officer

  • Aug 2014 - May 2016

  I joined to help with the next stage of the Group's development plans including consolidation of its operating capabilities following a very successful period of growth which saw the creation of a store portfolio in the UK, US, Europe and the Far East plus a wholesale business and franchise operation in the Middle East, I was responsible for improving corporate governance and internal controls and oversaw a reorganisation of the Finance and IT functions together with the implementation of new IT systems and processes, in particular helping to rectify significant difficulties in the supply chain following problems with a project to outsource the distribution centre initiated prior to my arrival. I was also heavily involved with developing the Group's omni-channel capabilities (which include a substantial and rapidly growing online business) by overseeing the successful implementation of a new e-commerce web site, a new worldwide POS system and various enhancements to the customer offer such as click and collect and new payment services. In Spring 2015 I helped successfully raise additional debt and equity financing. I then lead the process of vendor due diligence working with Nomura and PwC to prepare a virtual data room that ultimately lead to the acquisition of the business by a private equity firm. Show less



Jacques Vert Group Limited

• United Kingdom
• Retail

• Chief Financial Officer

  • Nov 2003 - Jul 2014

  In addition to my core role running the finance, legal and IT teams, I also effectively acted as Chief Operating Officer alongside the CEO being responsible at various times for logistics, warehousing & distribution, supply chain, property, HR and international business development. For a period of 3 months, I also acted as interim CEO. Primary achievements included: • Key role in the public to private sale of the company to Sun Capital Partners; • Prepared a number of strategic business plans; • Managing key stakeholder relationships including shareholders, financiers, advisers etc • Developed International retail operations across North America & Mainland Europe; • Reorganised supply chain and logistics with suppliers in Europe and the Far East generating significant cost and working capital benefits; • Appraisal and development of new business opportunities; • Integration of Alexon Plc and William Baird Plc, realising significant cost synergies; • Rationalised head offices, distribution centres and retail operations; • Sold European menswear and sportswear wholesalers and Sri Lankan manufacturer; • Completed a number of corporate reorganisations; • Board Sponsor on project to replace all IT business systems including new transactional websites, ERP/WMS, financial accounting, forecasting and MI systems; • Assisted with resolving £100m defined benefit pension scheme liability; • Implemented effective treasury management systems; • Resolved commercial issues including onerous properties and material litigation. Show less



Canada Square Health & Fitness Limited

• Wellness and Fitness Services

• Founder & Adviser

  • Nov 2002 - Apr 2006

  I was asked by Barclays Ventures to lead the acquisition of The Reebok Sports Club, Europe's largest health & fitness club located in Canary Wharf, from the Administrator, Baker Tilly. I developed a 5 year business plan, negotiated the terms of the acquisition and the equity and debt financing (with Barclays Ventures and Barclays Bank) and recruited the senior management team. As a major equity participant, I remained an advisor until the successful sale of the business in 2006 which generated a very substantial return. Show less



Noble House Leisure

• Hospitality
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Group Finance Director

  • Jun 2000 - Nov 2002

  I was initially appointed Finance Director of Oriental Restaurants Group Plc, operator of landmark oriental restaurants in London plus a branded chain of Yellow River Cafe outlets, listed on the full London stock exchange. Following the acquisition of ORG by Noble House Leisure, a private equity-backed operator of the Jim Thompson's chain of Thai restaurants, I was appointed Group Finance Director of NHL.Having completed the successful integration of the 2 businesses I was responsible for leading the due diligence behind a £500m hostile public bid for Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries plc that was narrowly rejected by shareholders. I then assisted in raising private equity plus debt financing (in conjunction with Enterprise Inns plc) to acquire a large estate of pubs and restaurants from Scottish & Newcastle plc.After assisting with the negotiation and completion of the acquisition I lead the development of the required infrastructure to manage the estate including new offices, IT systems and significant expansion of the Finance and IT teams, Show less



GenCel Group Plc

• Finance Director

  • May 1995 - May 2000

  I assisted in preparing a strategic "buy and build"plan to consolidate plastics manufacturing companies in the UK through acquisition; The venture was financed by 3i plc and Bridgepoint.Capital with debt from NatWest. I was responsible for negotiating the acquisition of 5 different businesses and the subsequent integration of all support operations into one central head office.location. I assisted in preparing a strategic "buy and build"plan to consolidate plastics manufacturing companies in the UK through acquisition; The venture was financed by 3i plc and Bridgepoint.Capital with debt from NatWest. I was responsible for negotiating the acquisition of 5 different businesses and the subsequent integration of all support operations into one central head office.location.