Mark Lightfoot Email & Phone Number

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Blackthorn is an Advisory Practice providing holistic strategic, operational, financial, and marketing expertise, interim executive placement, and ongoing board and senior executive counsel. Key advisor to diverse businesses across Australia, Asia and the UK, successfully developing and implementing total business strategic and operational solutions; business growth and brand development initiatives; consumer, customer and stakeholder engagement and management; and operational, financial and risk management.

Melbourne, Australia

Bookberry & Co specialises in accounting, analysis, forecasting and reporting to both Blackthorn Associates, and independent Australian clients of different sizes across a number of industries.

Conga Foods is a dynamic, family owned top 80 FMCG Australian Food company that has been marketing and distributing quality Mediterranean food in Australia for over 50 years. Conga Food's brands have become household names, including Moro Olive Oil, Green Valley Olives and Val Verde Tomatoes. Developed and implemented strategic brand portfolio, operational and route-to-market structural change, resulting in portfolio rationalisation, channel divestment, new product development and capability enhancement.

Sydney, Australia

Coca Cola Amatil was the exclusive bottling partner for The Coca-Cola Company in Australia (now Coca-Cola Europacific Partners), manufacturing, distributing, and selling Coca Cola products along with packaged food, beer and spirits. Developed strategic and operational plans in partnership with high profile brand owners Coca Cola, Beam Australia, and Pacific Beverages. Achieved alignment and consolidation for the iconic brand portfolio of carbonated soft drinks, spirits, and beer products, with a combined turnover in excess of $100m.

Puerto Rico

SABMiller was the second largest multinational brewing and beverage company (sold for over $100b in 2016 to Anheuser-Busch InBev), with brewing interests and distribution agreements across six continents, providing a wide portfolio of brands including several premium international beers. During nine years with SABMiller in Asia, Central American and the Caribbean, identified, converted and managed business opportunities in a variety of senior roles.As Country Director, created and led a unique entry strategy and business plan for SABMiller’s move into Puerto Rico, a highly competitive beer market with an active presence of major international brands. Proved the viability of the market entry model, successfully launching a new premium beer marketing approach, and establishing a portfolio of premium brands. Marketing approach and the launch of Peroni beer was recognised at the SABMiller global awards. Peroni voted “best launch” by the leading national newspaper, and rapidly became the country’s fastest growing premium brand.

Costa Rica

Developed and implemented a total business blueprint to drive brand execution, production efficiencies, distribution and customer engagement. Completed a full review of Finance, HR systems and processes, realigning as required. Demonstrated expertise in delivering a change management program addressing low morale and high staff turnover, creating a contemporary company focus, mission and vision. Business successfully sold.

Central America

Expanded SABMiller’s footprint in Central America and the Caribbean by developing market entry strategies and creating and driving market maps and consumer segmentation models for Panama, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico. Represented the region on a global team to create the “SAB Way” – a blueprint for market entry, sales, and marketing approach for Premium brands.

El Salvador

Developed and implemented a total change management program for SABMiller’s operations in El Salvador, resulting in reorganisation of the company’s route to market structure. Key skills demonstrated: brand portfolio review, brand mapping, channel and consumer segmentation, marketing execution plans by channel. Combined 4 beverage businesses into a single brand-led, consumer-facing organisation, successfully delivering considerable organic growth and achieving national “most preferred employer” award.

El Salvador

As Finance Manager, El Salvador, led a team of financial professionals as part of the post-acquisition integration management team to create a world-class beverage operation in El Salvador following SABMiller’s acquisition of four beverage companies.

Hong Kong

Developed, documented, and implemented financial and management forecasting, analysis and reporting protocols for SABMiller’s interests in Asia. During SABMiller’s entry into India and expansion in China, undertook market analysis, operational and financial review and evaluated business acquisition and expansion opportunities.

Hong Kong

Deloitte is the largest professional services network (over $50b revenue) in the world and is considered one of the Big Four global accounting firms. Identified operating and auditing best practices and delivered a revised audit approach for the Hong Kong practice. Trained and developed the management and staff of over 1200 in revised approach.

Zimbabwe

As General Manager and Group CFO operating in a group of family businesses, grew business to become a leading manufacturing and retailer of Personal, Home and Pool Care consumer products.

Zimbabwe, Hong Kong

Chartered Accountant, Accountancy And Business

B.Compt., Business, Accounting, Auditing, Law, Economics