Experience

The Energy Team

• United Kingdom
• Utilities
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Strategic Advisor

  • Jan 2021 - Present

  The Energy Team offers a wide range of energy services to the consumer. Providing strategic advice to the Founder, including product diversification and guiding the business from commission to annuity-based revenue The Energy Team offers a wide range of energy services to the consumer. Providing strategic advice to the Founder, including product diversification and guiding the business from commission to annuity-based revenue



Blutick

• United Kingdom
• E-Learning Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Strategic Advisor

  • Sep 2020 - Dec 2020

  Blutick is an AI driven online GCSE maths tuition app for 11 to 16 year olds.Appointed by the investor group, The Cambridge Angels, on a 3month contract to assess, fine-tune and take the product to market Blutick is an AI driven online GCSE maths tuition app for 11 to 16 year olds.Appointed by the investor group, The Cambridge Angels, on a 3month contract to assess, fine-tune and take the product to market



Webafrica

• South Africa
• Internet Publishing
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Sep 2011 - Jul 2020

  Webafrica is an ISP providing broadband internet connectivity (Fibre, ADSL, LTE) to consumers and small businesses across South Africa.Took over the struggling ISP as CEO and increased revenue 6-fold over 9 years. Replaced the Founder as CEO in 2011 and invested in the business over a number of years, building up a major shareholding.Revitalised the web hosting side of business over 3 years (acquired 10 small hosting businesses with a payback period of 12 to 18months), resulting in CAGR of 25%.Altered the strategic focus from a ‘tech business’ to a ‘consumer business’, reducing headcount by 40 to just under one hundred employees.Sold the hosting side of the business in 2017, bought out the Webafrica founder and refocused entirely on internet access.Webafrica was one of the first ISPs to resell FTTH (Fibre to the home) and quickly became a market leader.Achieved 1st place in the mass market with 40% market share and 4th place in the “leafy suburbs” with an 8% market shareRelocated family to the UK in 2020 and appointed the CEO of our biggest competitor, Mweb, to take over the CEO position. Retained an NED role and shareholding in the business



Afristay

• Angel Investor and NED

  • Jan 2014 - Dec 2015



Storm Telecom SA

• Co-Founder & Joint CEO

  • Dec 1998 - Feb 2008

  Storm Telecom was a low-cost telecoms provider for SME’s nationwideRaised R10m to launch Storm Telecom, a telco / ISP in 1999. Company grew to 3 branches and 200 employees, with revenue of R250m per annum.1999 Moved from London to Cape Town to set up the business.Expanded product range from low-cost international calls to low-cost calls to mobile phones, VoIP and internet access.Grew the B2B customer base to 6,000 with 3 branches in SA, and a total of 200 staff.In 2008 sold the company to a competitor, Vox Telecom, and exited the business.Achieved 13x returns for early-stage investors.



LONG DISTANCE INTERNATIONAL INC.

• United States

• UK Managing Director

  • Jan 1996 - Aug 1998

  LDI, which started in the USA, offered low-cost calls to businesses. Assisted in establishing their London office.Joined LDI as European Business Development Manager and left as UK Managing Director in August 1998.Developed business plan to successfully expand into multiple European countries.Managed the acquisition of a French callback company.Set up network of sales agents in Sweden and Denmark.Involved in raising $200m in a high-yield bond issue.1998 Appointed as UK MD.



Hill Samuel Bank (South Africa)

• Deal Originator

  • Sep 1991 - Dec 1995

  Hill Samuel was a wholly owned subsidiary of Lloyds Banking Groups Offshore Private Banking unit.Joined as Graduate Trainee.Worked in the European Syndicated Loans department.Moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, as a Deal Originator. Hill Samuel was a wholly owned subsidiary of Lloyds Banking Groups Offshore Private Banking unit.Joined as Graduate Trainee.Worked in the European Syndicated Loans department.Moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, as a Deal Originator.



Hill Samuel Bank Ltd

• Graduate Trainee

  • Sep 1991 - Sep 1995