Experience

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  Crestline Investors, Inc.

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Managing Director

    • Aug 2019 - Present
    • London, United Kingdom

    Crestline is an institutional alternative investment management firm, specialising in credit and opportunistic investments, including financing and restructuring solutions for mature private equity funds.I have joined the business on a part-time basis to support overall strategic direction and development of the new business origination for the special opportunities fund. Applying a strong industry background, my efforts are currently focused on promoting the company to significantly improve recognition and developing the skills of younger executives within the business through ongoing support, coaching and mentoring.

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  Various Learning Institutions

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Lecturer / Executive Educator & Coach

    • Jun 2010 - Present
    • London, United Kingdom

    In both the lecture theatre and Virtual Learning Environments ( VLE), I have developed modules and delivered lectures and corporate / executive education across multiple banking and finance topics. These include: - Lecturer in Strategic Management at the London Institute of Banking & Finance- Visiting Professor at Guildhall School of Business & Law at London Metropolitan University - Lecturer at Cranfield School of Management, Guildhall School of Business & Law and Birmingham Business SchoolSome examples of workshop delivered, include: - A Strategic Repositioning’; a case study of the acquisition by a foreign purchaser of a well-known UK brand, strategic positioning adopted, errors made and the response of a new buyer.- ‘Bitcoin: Is it Money?’; placing cryptocurrencies in the context of fiat money and commodities, especially gold. Comparing blockchains with existing payment systems (SWIFT & Visa).- ‘Financing Businesses: Lessons from the Graveyard’; comparing and contrasting 2 similar businesses, one of which failed and the other which is now a FTSE250 company.- ‘Money & Banks’; examining the history of money, the bankruptcy of Lehmans and the future of money.

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  Wells Fargo Capital Finance (UK) Ltd

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Director, Asset-Based Lending

    • Feb 2012 - May 2019
    • London, United Kingdom

    Wells Fargo acquired Burdale Financial in February 2012 to be its Asset-Based lending platform in Europe. It originates ABL facilities of £10m+ for European companies and subsidiaries of US companies.As Director, Asset-Based Lending, I originated mid-market and large ABL loans/refinancings for a variety of business situations ranging from high-performing to heavily distressed. Primarily, I managed New Business, overseeing end-to-end transactions and building strong relationships, both internally and externally. Key Achievements:- Successfully arranged a £150m ABL senior debt facility for MFI Furniture Plc- Arranged a £165m ABL senior debt facility for Laxey Partners for the P2P of Transport Development Group plc- Originated an innovative £75m facility for Jaguar Land Rover’s Parts & Accessories business (UK and US)

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  Burdale Financial Limited

  • Director, Structured Finance

    • Dec 2005 - Feb 2012

    See Wells Fargo above.

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  Commerzbank AG

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Head of Corporates

    • 1997 - 2005
    • London, United Kingdom

    Commerzbank AG is a major German bank operating as a universal bank, present in >50 countries worldwide and provides almost a third of Germany's trade finance.In this role, I managed a the corporate relationship management teams with a significant corporate loan portfolio (€7bn) and oversaw the middle office, electronic banking and trade finance/export finance. From a leadership perspective, I steered 5 teams of Relationships Managers that were responsible for cross-selling the full range of banking and investment bank products. Additionally, I drove cultural changes to establish RMs' status as Trusted Advisors across a broad sector range and enhanced cross-product delivery in collaboration with the Investment Bank. Some examples of transactions include the arrangement of demerger debt for Sears Plc and leading the ECGD-backed aircraft financing by BAE to the Czech Republic. Key Achievements:- Successfully built the Corporate Banking team into a credible arranger of investment grade syndicated loans- Challenged the dominance of 2 UK clearing banks in the UK transport sector (bus and rail)

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  Banque Paribas

  • Executive

    • 1994 - 1997

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  Westpac Banking Corporation

  • Senior Manager

    • 1985 - 1994

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  Hill Samuel & Co Ltd

  • Manager

    • 1982 - 1985