Experience

The Albex Group

• United Kingdom
• Wholesale Food and Beverage
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Group Finance Director

  • Mar 2023 - Present

  The Albex Group Limited is the holding company of a number of trading companies distributing and packing food ingredients. The group includes Kent Foods Limited, Henley Bridge Ingredients Limited, Tom Walker & Sons Limited, Jones Kent Limited (Malta). The Albex Group Limited is the holding company of a number of trading companies distributing and packing food ingredients. The group includes Kent Foods Limited, Henley Bridge Ingredients Limited, Tom Walker & Sons Limited, Jones Kent Limited (Malta).



Kent Foods, Ltd.

• United Kingdom
• Food and Beverage Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Group Finance Director

  • Apr 2021 - Present

• Corporate Affairs Director

  • Mar 2020 - Apr 2021



McGarvie Consulting Ltd

• Glasgow, United Kingdom

• Director

  • Mar 2014 - Mar 2023

  Providing Management and Financial consultancy advice to clients. Projects have included:- Leading a cross functional team to implement a new multisite retail point of sale and stock distribution system ensuring project alignment and inter-departmental cooperation. Establishing project milestones, time frames and budget constructs. Co-ordination of incoming and existing software providers, data migration and new process integration. Bank funding and Business Plan development for a new start company. Provided key advice and guidance to achieve the successful launch of the business. Show less



Window Supply Company Limited

• United Kingdom
• Building Materials
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Financial Director

  • Feb 2019 - Jan 2020

  Founding Director of this new start business which grew to an annual turnover rate of £5m pa with 9 months of starting production and successfully achieved private equity financing for the next stage of the growth of the business. Selected achievements: - Management of Finance, Procurment and IT depts and building team - Set up of the company including legals, HMRC, bank facilities, insurances, secured asset financing and invoice discount facilities. - Creation of monthly budgets and management accounts, cash forecasting and KPI reporting - Development of business modelling for initial funding and subsequent private equity investment - Management of financial due diligence process - Set up of suitable systems and processes to achieve efficient management across the business to enable platform for growth Show less



Kent Foods, Ltd.

• United Kingdom
• Food and Beverage Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Group Finance Director

  • Oct 2018 - Aug 2019

  Group Finance Director of this £200m family owned, wholesale food distribution company. Responsible for managing a small central finance function, managing monthly and year end financial reporting. Selected achievements - Building strong rapport with the business owner - Development and strengthening of the Finance team - Negotiation of additional banking facilities - Management of the acquisition of a complementary business and evaluation of potential acquisition targets one of which proceeded. - Review of IT systems and requirements - Identification of error in pension payroll processing and prior year accounting entry. Show less



Bar Soba Group

• Glasgow, United Kingdom

• Finance Director

  • Nov 2017 - Oct 2018

  Experienced Finance Director with particular expertise in multi-site operations, manufacturing and business exits. Experienced Finance Director with particular expertise in multi-site operations, manufacturing and business exits.



Stevenswood Trade Centres Ltd

• Livingston

• Finance Director

  • Nov 2016 - Jul 2017

  Following the sale of Stevenswood Ltd to a private equity buyer, I was appointed FD of Stevenswood Trade Centres Ltd which has combined the Trade Counter business of Stevenswood with its existing branches to create a national network. This will be expanded by further acquisitions and new branch openings to create the UK's largest specialist trade distributor of windows, doors, conservatories and associated products. Following the recent acquisition of Truemans Holdings Ltd we now have a network of 30 Trade Counters across the UK and an annual turnover of £50m. My role is to achieve an efficient integration of the different businesses, realising procurement savings, heading the finance functions and providing the necessary support and guidance to enable the business to achieve its ambitions for further growth. Show less



Stevenswood Ltd

• Livingston

• Finance Director

  • Feb 2015 - Feb 2017

  Stevenswood are Scotland's largest fabricator of double glazed windows and doors supplying directly to the building trade and to DIY. The business has recently moved to a new 55,000 ft factory in Livingston and has secured £3.5m of funding from the Business Growth Fund to help drive the business to the next level through the opening of new trade counters and further investment in manufacturing capacity. Joined as Finance Director, in conjunction with the new investment, to help manage and control the planned aggressive growth program of the business along with the existing senior management team. During my time with the company turnover grew from £10m in the year prior to me joining, to £18m., and the Trade Counter estate grew from 6 to 15. The company was sold in November 2016 to a private equity buyer on a high EBITDA multiple, achieving a good return on investment for the Business Growth Fund and a positive outcome for the other shareholders. Show less



Chisholm Hunter Ltd

• Glasgow, United Kingdom

• Chief Operating Officer

  • Jul 2014 - Oct 2014

  Chisholm Hunter is a fast growing, award winning retail jeweller with 23 stores across the UK. Working closely with the business owners, leading the finance, IT, HR, e-commerce, stock distribution,and facilities functions. Driving the Retail Operations and Buying teams, improving business processes and controls, identifying and maximising commercial opportunities to achieve further success and growth. Chisholm Hunter is a fast growing, award winning retail jeweller with 23 stores across the UK. Working closely with the business owners, leading the finance, IT, HR, e-commerce, stock distribution,and facilities functions. Driving the Retail Operations and Buying teams, improving business processes and controls, identifying and maximising commercial opportunities to achieve further success and growth.



Fraser Hart

• United Kingdom
• Retail Luxury Goods and Jewelry
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Finance Director

  • Jan 2002 - Feb 2014

  Fraser Hart are the UK's 4th largest speciality retail jewellers. Turnover £70m+, 420+ employees currently with 37 stores across the UK from Stirling to Maidstone and Plymouth. Winner of Multiple Retail Jeweller of the Year on 4 occasions and Sunday Times Best 100 Employer. Joined as CFO to support the family owners and became Finance Director after managing the successful trade sale of the business in 2007. Key member of prospective MBO team. Implemented critical improvements to financial management, budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow, asset management, and reporting to enable improved decision making. Led the introduction of significant IT system developments and provided strategic and operational leadership in major decision making in a fast paced, highly financially leveraged environment with strict financial covenants. Cultivated strong relationships and built confidence with fellow board members and other senior management team members. Recognised by colleagues as the “go to” person within the business. Managed finance function restructuring for integration with group head office by maintaining high team motivation, easing concerns and establishing open communication channels. Achieved commercial success through working with external partners on tax free shopping, consumer finance and own branded customer insurance policies. Show less



Rawlplug Ltd

• Finance Director

  • Mar 1998 - Dec 2001



Dunfermline Press Ltd

• Finance Director

  • Oct 1997 - Mar 1998



Clyde and Forth Press Ltd

• Divisional Finance Director

  • Oct 1992 - Oct 1997



Peoples Ltd

• Financial Controller

  • Oct 1989 - Oct 1992



JI Case Europe Ltd

• Regional Accountant

  • Oct 1987 - Oct 1989



KPMG US

• United States
• Financial Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Audit Senior

  • Aug 1984 - Oct 1987