Langfords is a premium brand for all silver products and services. Originally brought in to develop commercial markets for a unique nanotechnology process that protects silver from tarnishing.Later asked to set up a standalone business called Langfords Silver Services specifically targeting commercial clients such as livery companies, sports clubs, private clubs, military regiments for all their silver requirements including supply, bespoke commissions and refurbishment. www.langfords.co.uk

Following the interim opportunity at Starbucks, I returned to the Asquith Project. See full description in period 2009 to 2012. Majority shareholding was sold.www.asquith.eu

Requested to undertake this project by a previous manager at Trinity Mirror.Project managed the transfer of Starbucks' operations in Republic of Ireland to a 3rd party company which then enable the business to be run under the terms of a country license.This company-wide & high profile project required 16 workstreams including IT, Legal, Operations, Supply Chain, Loyalty Card, Finance, HR, Communications, Property, Marketing etc

Start-up company building vintage style commercial vehicles with modern mechanics, sold for food serving, advertising or delivering purposes....’advertising that delivers!’Entrepreneurial environment initially focused on product development; design, prototypes, tooling through to manufacture. Also managing suppliers, distributors, marketing, regulatory & investors.Built in small volumes then leased/sold to niche brands (www.asquith.eu). Sold majority stake.

With decreasing circulations & online competition, the regional newspaper division was tasked to deliver £35m in savings over a 5 year period & using internal management & staff to deliver changes.• Asked by CEO & directors, I set up a matrix programme of 42 projects covering multiple functions and regions, with savings through process improvement, technology and other initiatives.• Established PMO, RAID, procedures manual and reporting system through to main board level.• Personally delivered 3 projects inc. transfer of finance dept. & restructuring Cardiff Editorial Centre“Simon…brought a huge amount of rigour and discipline to what is a very important part of TMR strategy…he did this sensitively with regard to TM’s culture” – Trinity Mirror Finance Director.

Government requested the organisation representing rail passenger interests to restructure from a costly, ineffective federal model to be smaller, more dynamic structure offering better value for money.• Agreed new structure with DfT and I set up and managed a programme with 15 workstreams• Closed 7 (of 10) regional offices, reduced staff by 40% (from 80) & operating costs by 20%.• Set up a brand new leaner, dynamic and cost effective organisation with clearly defined objectives.“Simon…thank you for the outstanding work you have done…..your management of the overall project has ensured the delivery of every objective that we identified” – CEO, Transport Focus

The bank’s largest corporate customers were managed on a day to day basis by the ‘London Service Centre’ which was a low cost set up around functions but with low service satisfaction scores.• Started as Project Manager but promoted to Programme Manager during term.• Helped senior management redesign from functional to service driven model. • Centralised & restructured staff & processes into multi skilled teams segmented to customers so they have one contact number for all requests. Later integrated Nat West to co-locate & mirror this. • A flatter management structure helped create this world-class centre of 800 staff, 60,000 customers, £20billion of monthly payments, where service levels jumped by 20% in the first period.• Other projects within RBS included ‘Property Finance’ and a review of ‘Royal Scottish Assurance’.“Simon has delivered a number of high profile multi-million pound projects for the Royal Bank Group highly successfully, on time and in budget….He is extremely competent and committed, producing work of a very high standard” - Chic Newton, RBS Board Director

Ford Motors Engine Plant: Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A.• Waste reduction programmes, process improvements and production planningH.H. Robertson: Ellesmere Port.• Installation of a management reporting system to this steel business, enabling better sales forecasting/capacity planning, preventative maintenance systems

Impac is a US based consultancy with a key focus on installing management controls to improve productivity. Projects with a variety of clients:- Lombard Motor Finance: Surrey- Moy Park Foods: Belfast, Northern Ireland- Lombard Tricity Finance: London- Co Operative Retail Services: Manchester

Time off to see the world!

Market Maker in Asian stocks

Started as a trainee "Blue Button" on the old Stock Exchange floor.Progressed to dealer and worked specifically with Philips and Drew Fund Management dealing mainly in UK equities