Ian Northen Email & Phone Number

Working with management teams in private companies to deliver leadership development and long term sustainable success.

Llangefni, Anglesey, GB

• Following the successful integration of the Ridgeons business into the Huws Gray group, I took up the role of Chief Executive. During my tenure, I have:
• Led the exit to Blackstone, which delivered a 3.3x return over three years for our previous investors and founders
• Overseen the acquisition of the traditional merchanting business of Grafton Group plc for an enterprise value of £520m – which saw our group treble revenues and double profit overnight
• Coordinated the Competition and Markets Authority review into the acquisition, leading to the successful outcome of having to dispose of a single outlet out of 201 acquired
• Secured £950m of senior debt and a £125m Revolving Credit Facility
• Led the successful integration of the acquired business, including full systems transitions, changes to organisation design, operating procedures, branding and key reward structures

Llangefni, Anglesey, GB

• Following the acquisition by Huws Gray, I joined the group board and was responsible for:
• The successful integration of Ridgeons into the group, including reward harmonisation, systems transition, changes to ways of working, and re-branding
• Delivery of a 250% EBITDA improvement over two and a half years through implementation of a series of strategic decisions around customer mix, trading approach, operating cost base and procurement synergies
• Being an ambassador for both brands, promoting a one group ethos

Cambridge, GB

• The move to CEO following the departure of my predecessor was a natural transition given the broad role I had performed to that point and the trust and credibility established with shareholders and the wider management.
• Delivered 100% increase in shareholder value in two years
• Drove 20% improvement in operating profit improvement over the same period
• Delivered strategic property disposals that generated gains and an improved operating platform to support future growth.
• Established an entirely new executive team to lead the business over the next phase, with a combination of internal promotions and lateral hires.
• Built on the already positive culture of the business to create an environment in which colleagues could be true to themselves and do their best work every day.

Cambridge, GB

• A commercially focused finance director with a proven track record of delivering profit improvement, enhancing the value of the finance within the organisation, driving operational engagement and broader business.
• Responsible for the core central functions of finance, payroll, IT, property, transport, health & safety, and loss prevention
• Divisional Managing Director of Anglia Tool Centre, an online/multi-channel power tool specialist business.
• Trustee of the Group final salary pension scheme
• Acted as Operations Director for a yearAchievements:Finance:
• Restructure of finance team to deliver improved service at lower cost

London, GB

One of two partners responsible for establishing the Cambridge office of BDO in 2007, growing from a standing start to a multi-disciplinary offering.Client assignments included audit and acquisition due diligence across a range of industries (including software, technology, distribution and construction) and ownership structures (listed companies, PE.

Chicago, Illinois, US

• Partner responsible for the private sector and social housing audits in the Cambridge office.Transaction Support work including:
• Management consultancy project with UK listed company (turnover £400m) involving re-creation of accounts following system failure
• Corporate finance project – fund raising exercise for Dublin-based student travel company (deal value £25m)
• Due diligence for acquisition of a motor dealership on behalf of an existing client (deal value £2m)
• Due diligence for acquisition of formula one team (deal value £120m)
• Due diligence for the MBO of a property software company (deal value £5m)

Nashville, TN, US

Established and ran own business selling study guides in the Ohio and Wisconsin, USA during University summer breaksRecruited team of 3 students to do the same in Wisconsin in the second summer