Mark Taylor Email & Phone Number

Hope Cove, Devon

Founder of Happy Accounts Limited for all of your business accountancy and consultancy requirements specialising in SME, mergers and acquisitions and also not for profit sector. Operates in Devon and London

Dartington Hall, Devon

AD Performance Analysis and PlanningDartington Hall TrustI am contracted two days per week to provide specialist commercial financial advice to the CEO and COO of Dartington Hall Trust£15m to social enterprise - 450 employees; I was asked by the CEO to take on new role across Dartington analysing business models and recommending changes. Whilst continuing to lead on the establishment of the Abundant Life Extracare community at Dartington. This role works directly with the CEO, FD and Trustees to deliver transformative change to Dartington and encompasses all areas of the Charities activities including its research, academic, funding and commercial areas. On the 1/11/2012 I was promoted to a full member of the Management Team

I joined this department of Dartington in a new role which was reasonably undefined. I was responsible for 11 staff in the following functions: - finance, publications, event management, IT, marketing and office administration. I was also part of the senior management team responsible for the strategic development of the Social Justice Programme Dartington. The largest part of the Social Justice programme is 2 national research organisations Rip and Ripfa who work with Local Authority Children and Adult Services to disseminate EIP to the sector. Part of the organisation was outsourced to Sheffield University, I negotiated to “TUPe” the employees across to direct employment whilst still based in the university and also work with advisers from LSE and Manchester Universities.

I provided financial and commercial support to this group of three adult mental health care homes in Cornwall and Devon.

I joined this privately owned nursing agency in May 2006 where it had been static, turning over £12m for the previous three years. Working closely with the owners we grew the business by 100% in 2 years, turning over in excess of £24m with a 32% Gross Profit and healthy Net Profit in excess of 12%. The role would be more appropriately titled Finance and Commercial Director as I was responsible for a finance team of 10 staff, an HR/Recruitment team of 6 staff and a supported living team of 7 staff. During 2007 the owners relocated to Spain and I was the most senior manager in the UK. The Chairman has since decided to spend more time in the UK and no longer needed someone as senior to run head office in his absence. Consequently I was made redundant on 9th December 2009.

During this period I pursued my passion for ocean racing competing in one round the world, 4 transatlantic and one round Britain yacht races as well as teaching sailing to a wide variety of business professionals. I also delivered various yacht -based team building, management development and leadership courses with the Challenge Business (BT Global Challenge). From March 2005 - April 2006 I was skipper of Jersey Clipper during 2005/6 round the world yacht race.During the winter months when not sailing I performed several interim financial roles as follows: - November & December 2002 Zurich Insurance year-end preparations

a National Transport Company whose head office was based in Devon. After a thorough business review I advised the Directors to put the business into Administration. We successfully disposed of approximately 60% of the business through three transactions. KPMG were appointed as administrators on 5th November and I completed my contract with them in February 2005

Investigated and restructure subsidiary; Audit Commission European and RDA grant compliance

Initially I joined Olympian as Finance Director but was rapidly appointed Managing Director.We were awarded 8th place in the Sunday Times Virgin Fastrack 100 awards in 1999.Set up Australian SubsidiarySet up HR Consultancy, Olympian Executive specialising in IIPImplemented strategic investment in Academy HR and appointed Director of this specialist HR ConsultancyNegotiated and completed merger with Plexus Plc to form Plexian PlcOn completion of the merger between Olympian and Plexus I was appointed Managing Director of Plexian Plc. Within days I discovered a significant cash hole in Plexus due to accounting irregularities. Unfortunately the cash hole and the marketing conditions meant the business was put into liquidation and I personally lost £2.6m.

On disposal of Inline KPG to CRT Plc (Spring Plc) I set up my own management consultancy providing corporate development expertise for several companies in the IT sector, both in the UK, Europe and Asia. Olympian Consultancy were one of my clients and I joined them full time on 18th January 1999.

Inline KPG KPG Computer Support Services; I was responsible for downsizing business due to over expansion in late 80's, setting up a regional office in Edinburgh, small acquisition of a publishing agency , installing a new accounting system,restructuring of all company procedures/policies etc, achieving 1SO9002 accreditation, re-financing company's working capital, reducing debtor days from 63 to 38 and merger with Inline Group Ltd.Inline KPGFully responsible for all aspects of finance, personnel, property & legal affairs of this IT contract agency. Successfully integrated businesses of Inline & KPG full responsibility for due diligence, legal negotiation and execution. Increased sales from £22 million to £45 million in 3 years.Opened offices in London, Edinburgh, Dublin and Geneva. Set up new accounts department with 22 staff. Negotiated working capital facilities of £8 million with Coutts & Co. Managed shareholder relationships, including founders, venture capitalists and BZW. Prepared business for flotation/sale, by aggressive expansion and concentration on “back office functions”. Sold business to CRT PLC for £25 million. Fully involved from first meeting with acquirer through to completion, meeting seven months later. One of only three employees aware of deal for six months. Responsible for due diligence, financial forecasts and legal

Responsible for running Accounts department for £11m turnover company, major contract negotiations, eg relocation of Daily Telegraph PLC to Canary Wharf, designed wrote and implemented international stock control system, specified and implemented European wide reporting system, specified selected and installed new multi currency accounting system, plusall Company secretarial duties

During this period, I qualified as Cost & Management Accountant. I was responsible for costing analysis, privatisation studies, Treasury management and internal audit. I was also responsible for Installation of a new computer system.

Education record

Activities and Societies: rugby

Education record

Activities and Societies: rugby

A Levels