Corporate Finance and Strategy

Consultancy services in business development, strategic planning and mergers & acquisitions in defence, aerospace and technology fields.

Managing M&A activity for Thales Group in UK and overseas countries. More than 30 transactions completed with values up to >£100M, in UK, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, Brazil, China, South Africa and USA.

Set up a new manufacturing subsidiary in the Czech Republic, including oversight of construction of new 10,000 sq m facility on "greenfield" site. On completion, appointed Managing Director of newly acquired German manufacturing company and successfully integrated into Group European operations. Co-ordinated strategic development activities of three European sibsidiaries to extend inter-trading and introduced "lean manufacturing" principles. Established basis for a JV in France and expansion of manufacturing into Poland and Brazil.

Initially appointed as Marketing Director of the Defence Systems Division and created a new marketing/sales function to establish entry into export markets. Notable successes included a major contract for the US DoD and overall threefold increase in exports to 35% of turnover. Appointed Strategic Planning Director in 1990. Managed acquisition of MEL and prepared post-acquisition integration plan. Involved in the integration of Thorn Security to form Thorn Security & Electronics (Turnover - £500M pa) and ultimately managed divestment of these businesses.

Initially recruited as Head of Advanced Development for aircraft navigational aids. Close and successful involvement with the customer community resulted in transfer to Sales and extension of product to air traffic control and air defence radar systems. Subsequently responsible for product management and launch of several new radars. Appointed Sales Director in 1985 and responsible for an international sales force of £100+M pa business.