Launching ventures in AfricaDattapult is a venture management firm that operates a portfolio of early/growth stage ventures in Africa.We focus on the skills, processes, and technologies needed to drive high growth in dynamic environments. Our aim is to accelerate value creation and reduce execution risk.

Core ExperienceWorking across a range of sectors including telecoms, digital services, commodities, human resources, media, education, manufacturing, tourism and financial services. I have worked with start-up businesses, charitable concepts, multi-national businesses and publicly quoted entities.Key Competencies Business architecture of business systems and processes across range of industry Analysing and refining multi-national working capital, tax and financial… Show more Core ExperienceWorking across a range of sectors including telecoms, digital services, commodities, human resources, media, education, manufacturing, tourism and financial services. I have worked with start-up businesses, charitable concepts, multi-national businesses and publicly quoted entities.Key Competencies Business architecture of business systems and processes across range of industry Analysing and refining multi-national working capital, tax and financial structures  Creating innovative internet-based back-office business service solutions Recruitment and management training of teams of locally-based finance professionals Preparation of businesses for significant external capital investment and/or trade salePast clients o Digital serviceso Telecommunications, Data networkso AIM-listed natural resources companyo Personnel management operating across multiple and hostile environmentso Luggage manufacturer retailing across East Africa (EA), UK and Europeo Solar lighting distributor, producing in China and distributing across Africao Safari camp owner and tourism tour operator in Kenya, Tanzania and Rwandao Franchised food retail operation operating 60 units across the United Kingdomo International Trade Council (ITC) linking major Italian fashion brands with a Kenyan ethical fashion Show less

Jibu capitalizes, equips, and trains emerging market entrepreneurs to launch and grow essential service franchises, with drinking water as its anchor product. Franchises purify existing water sources in high-density urban and peri-urban communities and distribute to the neighbourhood within walking distance of their storefronts and sell additional Jibu products and services.In my 13 months as Group CFO I have led the overhaul of the finance department hiring a new centralised functional… Show more Jibu capitalizes, equips, and trains emerging market entrepreneurs to launch and grow essential service franchises, with drinking water as its anchor product. Franchises purify existing water sources in high-density urban and peri-urban communities and distribute to the neighbourhood within walking distance of their storefronts and sell additional Jibu products and services.In my 13 months as Group CFO I have led the overhaul of the finance department hiring a new centralised functional team, resolved critical day-to-day accounting and financial control issues, implemented NetSuite ERP, built and presented a Group valuation model to the Board and investors, lead presentation and negotiation for external fundraising and managed the due diligence for a mixture of Debt, Convertible Debt and Equity rounds, managed external tax investigation, recruited new Group Auditor and tax advisors. Show less

Edward Johnstone is the Founder of M-KABATI, an online tool that offers a solution to the prevalent problem of lack of friction for the cash in people’s pockets that is otherwise easily spent. With a focus on the element of friction, M-KABATI helps people secure their basic household needs by allowing them to buy core food and washing goods that are held in digital wallets until members want to withdraw from their local store. Edward has a passion for driving financial inclusion… Show more Edward Johnstone is the Founder of M-KABATI, an online tool that offers a solution to the prevalent problem of lack of friction for the cash in people’s pockets that is otherwise easily spent. With a focus on the element of friction, M-KABATI helps people secure their basic household needs by allowing them to buy core food and washing goods that are held in digital wallets until members want to withdraw from their local store. Edward has a passion for driving financial inclusion and providing access to financial services for all. He has built a strong network of local retailers, distributors, product manufacturers and retail banks to incorporate their services into the integrated web-based service accessible via any internet-enabled device, including mobile phones. Edward's vision for M-KABATI is to empower individuals and communities to take control of their finances and improve their quality of life. Show less

Antler is a startup generator and early-stage VC enabling a selected group of founders to build global businesses from the ground up. Generating the next wave of tech startups.

Responsible for East Africa Regional finance across 4 Operating Companies (OPCOs) with a regional finance team of 60 people, reporting into Head Office in London.My role has been to create a regional finance structure, to review and revise business processes and systems, handle the management and external financial reporting requirements within a pan-African Group, deal with transaction management, operational business expansion.

CTG provides outsourced services to humanitarian organizations, government, non-governmental organizations, businesses, security companies and individuals that enables them to focus on their core business and the achievement of their objectives in hostile and threatening environments.I helped the CEO and senior management to strategically re-align the business, the finance team and the detailed business processes, ultimately recruiting a new, stronger financial controller to run the… Show more CTG provides outsourced services to humanitarian organizations, government, non-governmental organizations, businesses, security companies and individuals that enables them to focus on their core business and the achievement of their objectives in hostile and threatening environments.I helped the CEO and senior management to strategically re-align the business, the finance team and the detailed business processes, ultimately recruiting a new, stronger financial controller to run the daily operational finance team in my place. Show less

A London AIM-listed gold mining company with a portfolio of gold mining and exploration projects in Tanzania, Africa. Acted as Executive Board Director during the transition from an exploration company to an operating miner. Designed and implemented revised business management reporting system, re-aligning finance team roles, managing change in head-office and at remote mine locations across three countries. Refined the Company Secretarial function for the UK Listed plc as… Show more A London AIM-listed gold mining company with a portfolio of gold mining and exploration projects in Tanzania, Africa. Acted as Executive Board Director during the transition from an exploration company to an operating miner. Designed and implemented revised business management reporting system, re-aligning finance team roles, managing change in head-office and at remote mine locations across three countries. Refined the Company Secretarial function for the UK Listed plc as well as managed the audit and public reporting requirements under International Accounting Standards for the group. Redefined tax structures of the group at local and group level realising significant cash repayments from tax authorities Led $8m acquisition of Joint Venture partner, removing significant share dilution risk Spearheaded the raising of $145 million in London Capital Markets, including two equity placements, a convertible debt instrument, three SEDA debt arrangements and international bank debt financing facilities. Renegotiated pre-existing supplier contracts, moving suppliers towards a variable cost formula.  Delivered successful change management of the London corporate advisory team (corporate broker, PR & IR) Represented the company in its international investor and public relations including handling of media coverage. Devised and implemented a successful hedging programme to protect the company against falls in the gold price Show less

Managed a project to establish sustainable power and water services for the public and private sector in South Tanzania Managed corporate and financial risk by identifying local environmental and community issues and established a corporate policy to contribute to sustainable social development of the local communities around the mine. Oversaw an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and established a monitoring process to create a recorded economic and social baseline. This… Show more Managed a project to establish sustainable power and water services for the public and private sector in South Tanzania Managed corporate and financial risk by identifying local environmental and community issues and established a corporate policy to contribute to sustainable social development of the local communities around the mine. Oversaw an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and established a monitoring process to create a recorded economic and social baseline. This involved working across international development, government and private sector partners. Provided an assessment of sustainable energy options including a hybrid power solution incorporating solar, hydro, HFO, coal and gas. This review considered each option on the basis of capital equipment requirements, fuel sources, risk assessments and potential financing partnerships.  Reviewed water requirements for both the mine and local population to determine a water strategy for the area which complements national environmental and water priorities. Show less

A pan-African satellite Pay-TV business that owned broadcast rights to premium sports, film and news content in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)Responsible for the start-up of the African finance function and then the roll-out across SSA within short timeframe Set up new corporate subsidiaries and agencies across 28 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Managed a finance team of 40 across the UK and Africa. Spearheaded consolidated financial reporting for Africa to the Board of… Show more A pan-African satellite Pay-TV business that owned broadcast rights to premium sports, film and news content in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)Responsible for the start-up of the African finance function and then the roll-out across SSA within short timeframe Set up new corporate subsidiaries and agencies across 28 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Managed a finance team of 40 across the UK and Africa. Spearheaded consolidated financial reporting for Africa to the Board of Directors in London.  Developed management controls and KPI reporting mechanisms that were also integrated with the satellite-based subscriber management system. Designed and implemented innovative banking solutions including consumer-level cash collection and reconciliation mechanisms across 20 countries in Africa. Created a Mauritian-based Group tax structure and lobbied pan-African government tax departments Show less

Worked with a broad range of businesses and non-profit organisations on fund-raising, M&A negotiations, business strategy and enterprise restructuring.  Conducted a full corporate review of 100 year-old family coffee trading business with operations in Europe and East Africa. Identified a number of improvements, authored a strategic plan to re-align the corporate structure, closing down a number of operations and re-allocating funding priorities.  Set up environmental recycling… Show more Worked with a broad range of businesses and non-profit organisations on fund-raising, M&A negotiations, business strategy and enterprise restructuring.  Conducted a full corporate review of 100 year-old family coffee trading business with operations in Europe and East Africa. Identified a number of improvements, authored a strategic plan to re-align the corporate structure, closing down a number of operations and re-allocating funding priorities.  Set up environmental recycling business, incentivising urban and rural Kenyans to collect discarded flip-flops and created a process to re-manufacture them into household items and fashion accessories. Items continue to be exported across Europe and the USA, including retail outlet brands such as Anthrolpologie. Winner of multiple international awards and recognition including finalist of BBC World Challenge Awards.  Authored a report on the financial value of the conservation work of a significant environmental charity  Negotiated development of high-end tourism lodge in Samburu District, Kenya between a private enterprise and the local community, in conjunction with the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) Conducted strategic review of a rural Community Trust to determine funding needs and roles and responsibilities Designed and installed financial systems for network of low-cost private schools for poor people in Africa Show less

The £2bn Asset Finance Group (AFG) of RBS consisted of 200 entities and 4 operational divisions (Rail, Motor, Large and Small Ticket leasing) operating across North America, UK and EuropeProvided corporate support to AFG’s growth agenda across the international leasing finance sector. Reviewed all new M&A and strategy proposals for Europe and USA as a member of the Corporate Development Approvals Committee Planned and led deal negotiations, achieving quantifiable results above… Show more The £2bn Asset Finance Group (AFG) of RBS consisted of 200 entities and 4 operational divisions (Rail, Motor, Large and Small Ticket leasing) operating across North America, UK and EuropeProvided corporate support to AFG’s growth agenda across the international leasing finance sector. Reviewed all new M&A and strategy proposals for Europe and USA as a member of the Corporate Development Approvals Committee Planned and led deal negotiations, achieving quantifiable results above internal expectations.  Project managed large team in the evaluation of £100m+ transactions under UK & US GAAP.  Re-invigorated a series of ‘dead’ relationships within the bank, building new levels of understanding and working practices. Built strong open relationship with RBS Central Office, significantly improving AFG image within RBS. Created a European ‘hub and spoke’ legal and tax structure for the rail operating division, coordinated the business’ operational needs with the regulatory and tax requirements of the wider RBS Group. Managed the planning, management and delivery of a major project to transfer ownership of the old Lombard bank under the RBS umbrella. Show less

USA-venture financed company with internet-based barter exchanges across North America, South America and London. In charge of the finance team in UK and subsequently took over the USA finance operations as well. Implemented new accounting policies and procedures which uncovered significant fraud in the US Managed barter economies for inflation, liquidity and member debt levels. Conducted international consolidations, budgets, monthly management reporting, sales and… Show more USA-venture financed company with internet-based barter exchanges across North America, South America and London. In charge of the finance team in UK and subsequently took over the USA finance operations as well. Implemented new accounting policies and procedures which uncovered significant fraud in the US Managed barter economies for inflation, liquidity and member debt levels. Conducted international consolidations, budgets, monthly management reporting, sales and dashboard reports. Show less

Internet-based travel company, raised £1.5m capital and ran before returning 60% funds to investors when faced with 2nd round funding dilution.

Managed investment process for £2bn Industrial Minerals division, including appraisals, valuations, negotiations, due diligence, strategic research working at Divisional and International Board level.

Managed accounts department of 8, reporting to Head Office on monthly basis as well as local management of £75m turnover business.

Trained as a Chartered Accountant in audit and tax departments