Following over two decades’ as a school governor, I was invited to chair the board of this charitable entity, which runs a children’s nursery. Key Contributions:• Embedded robust governance and structures to monitor and maintain the financial stability of the charity amid national government grant and funding cuts. • Responded to economic pressures following reduced funding and business by restructuring the nursery, subsequently reducing costs and ensuring continued… Show more Following over two decades’ as a school governor, I was invited to chair the board of this charitable entity, which runs a children’s nursery. Key Contributions:• Embedded robust governance and structures to monitor and maintain the financial stability of the charity amid national government grant and funding cuts. • Responded to economic pressures following reduced funding and business by restructuring the nursery, subsequently reducing costs and ensuring continued financial viability.• As Chairman, I led the nursery to receive an improved rating of ‘Good’ in its recent Ofsted inspection. Show less

I set up the consultancy, leveraging 40 years’ experience, to support food industry clients across major multiples, impulse, sector, catering, leisure industry, wholesalers, hospitality, petrol forecourts and manufacturers. Client Success Stories:• Retained by a Belgian-based food producer for fifteen years. I was initially appointed to facilitate their entry into the UK market, sourcing and evaluating potential acquisition targets and advising the owners on options.… Show more I set up the consultancy, leveraging 40 years’ experience, to support food industry clients across major multiples, impulse, sector, catering, leisure industry, wholesalers, hospitality, petrol forecourts and manufacturers. Client Success Stories:• Retained by a Belgian-based food producer for fifteen years. I was initially appointed to facilitate their entry into the UK market, sourcing and evaluating potential acquisition targets and advising the owners on options. • Latterly I have been acting as General Manager of UK Operations for this client. I was tasked to turn around underperformance of operations, and external inspections noted the subsequent improved quality. • Engaged by Coop Food to source a wholesaler to oversee distribution operations. I identified prospects and communicated these to senior Coop stakeholders.• Currently supporting a Northern Irish business to set up a distributor who will sell and cover the distribution of their range in England, Scotland and Wales. I proposed a distributor to the executive team and also act as the contact between the company and the distributor. Show less

Last year, I was selected to lead the governance of the not-for-profit organisation, which represents food industry stakeholders, primarily SMEs, in the Norfolk Region, including producers, manufacturers, restaurants, hotels and retailers. Due to increased work commitments with client companies I decided to resign from Proudly Norfolk in December 2019.Key Contributions:• Engaged to turn around the organisation. I restructured the board to strengthen executive accountability… Show more Last year, I was selected to lead the governance of the not-for-profit organisation, which represents food industry stakeholders, primarily SMEs, in the Norfolk Region, including producers, manufacturers, restaurants, hotels and retailers. Due to increased work commitments with client companies I decided to resign from Proudly Norfolk in December 2019.Key Contributions:• Engaged to turn around the organisation. I restructured the board to strengthen executive accountability, leveraging board members’ expertise across specialist disciplines to provide focus and growth in these areas. • Invited new speakers to boost the value of events, driving up the engagement of members as a result and facilitating improved networking opportunities for them.• Recovered the organisation to become financially secure and currently in the final stages of strategic planning for the next stages of development. Show less

During this time, I gained a new contract with Planters Peanuts to unlock 2,761 Scottish and Newcastle-based outlets.I also secured numerous line listings with a range of retail outlets and developed the sales strategies for client companies.

In this role, I reorganised the Garden Centre Division and re-negotiated a £1m contract to drive up profit levels across all areas. I restructured the sales team and recruited six account members, and I was also a member of the strategic planning team.

I set up the sales operations department and project managed a factory move, maintaining sales throughout.Additionally, I collaborated with the founders to reorganise distribution operations, generating £75k savings, and I delivered 20% year-on-year sales increase.