Nu-Pro is a private equity backed company that was in an extremely poor and dangerous position when I was appointed. After arriving at Nu-Pro in January 2004, I implemented strong financial management and reporting, which coupled with my entrepreneurial sprit and keen commercial focus bought the board and equity holders together; driving and influencing them to devolop strategies to facilitate good organic growth and incorporate M&A activity. This has taken the company from a £5m turnover, debt ridden, one track pony to a £15m diverse group with more expansion and investment in the pipeline.

Following a demanding few years, I was saddened to see the previous Chairman not stand for re-election. No members presented themselves for election as Chairman at the AGM, and subsequently I was approached to see if I would consider putting myself forward as deputy until the next AGM. After outlining my thoughts on the future of the club at the next General Committee Meeting, I was duly elected and have considered it an honour to serve the members of this great and historical club.

I joined ADC when it was growing worldwide fast. I travelled to numerous overseas companies to help them understand the ADC way of reporting, implement finance systems, gain an understanding of the management of each company and facilitate a working relationship with the overseas FD's. Then I'd consolidate the overseas accounts and cashflow in the UK before passing them to the Group Accountant for him to consolidate with the UK. In my last year I changed tasks to implement a new worldwide accounting system. It was terribly boring, but I learnt a lot - and I'd recommened the experience to anybody that wants to be an FD one day.

Upon the acquisition of M&G by Swiss Re, I was employed and relocated to Cheltenham to personally assist the new CEO appointed by Swiss Re. My role involved helping him to evaluate and subsequently re-organise what was to become M&G Run-Off.

SBJ was where I learned accountancy from the ground up. A late starter in life, I had no qualifications other than O level's (yes, I'm that old) and I was originally employed in credit control, progressed to purchase ledger and from there started on general ledger and TB preparation. Eventually I was allowed to assist in TB finalisation, Management Accounting and end of year Tax.