Our highly experienced commerical FDs have the experience, the knowledge and the insight to be able to help you get the maximum returns from your business. With significant performance histories and working across a broad range of industry sectors, many have come from multinational organisations. More importantly, whatever the size of the business, our FDs aim to build long-term, fruitful relationships based on trust, confidence and proven results.

Your FD will be a professionally qualified accountant with relevant commercial experience gained through many years of working with and for major companies (both here and abroad). You can meet some of the team by clicking on their name below.

SOUTH EAST

Vince Ashe FCA

Mike Bell

Caroline Billington BSc (Hons), ACA

Stephen Chaytow

Clive Eplett FCA

Barry Hill FCA

Peter Johns FCA

Richard Major FCA

Iain McCusker

Edward Tudor

Paul Stevens FCA

Mike Sims FCA

John Lomas ACMA

Tim Luscombe ACMA

Philip Rudin FCMA

 

LONDON

Clive Bowman FCA

Peter Cordas FCA

Michael Guile

Roderick Hayward FCA

Ralph Myers FCMA

Satyaban (Satch) Sarkar ACMA

 

EAST ANGLIA

Gerard Artindale  FCA

Ian Halliday FCA

Ian McFarlane-Toms  CIMA, ACCA

Patsy Perley  ACCA
Hamish Ross FCA

 

WEST MIDLANDS

Tim Mocroft

Mike Skuse FCA

 

YORKSHIRE

Godfrey Burley FCA

Paul Higginbottom FCMA

Martin Scriven FCA

 

NORTH WEST
Laurence Gilbert

SCOTLAND
Gerald Conaghan
Alastair Dougall FCA

George Taylor CIMA, FCMA

 

 

Gerard Artindale, East Anglia Gerard has many years experience as a director of companies ranging from start ups to PLCs.  Having qualified with Robson Rhodes, he subsequently worked in a number of consumer facing businesses including Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason.  As Financial & Distribution Director of Fortnum & Mason he helped increase its market value from £10m to £70m. For the last eight years Gerard has assisted SMEs with business planning, strategy and general and financial management. He also has considerable experience in raising finance from £20,000 under the small firms loan guarantee scheme up to a £5million public share issue.

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Vince Ashe, Surrey Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Accredited Associate, Institute in Independent Business, Member of the Institute of Directors Vince has worked in various industry verticals, often within the SME sector. He is therefore able to understand the particular needs and issues of smaller enterprises.  He has raised finance through private investors, turnarounds, liquidations and insolvency cases and also set up businesses, implemented accounting and computer systems, floated a company on the stock market and been involved in the acquisition of business.

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Mike Bell, West Sussex Mike has nearly 30 years experience in the accountancy profession, over 20 of which have been spent advising entrepreneurial organisations and individuals on the financial implications of implementing their strategic plans. Mike has spent the last 9 years as a Partner with both Deloitte and, prior to that, Andersen. Advising on the various stages within the business cycle, whether at inception, initial phases of growth, expansion, divestment of non-core activities or the eventual disposal of the business, Mike has a wealth of commercial and tax experience.

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Caroline Billington, Berkshire Having qualified with Arthur Andersen 15 years ago Caroline has worked in a number of organisations covering a range of industries. • Thorn EMI - internal auditor before progressing into commercial roles including Finance Manager for a new brand and Project Accountant for the UK demerger. • PeopleSoft – UK Finance Manager overseeing a team providing full finance support including payroll, revenue recognition, and reconciling US and UK GAAP. Management reporting, and resulting action plans, were a key focus in her roles as European and then International Services Controller. • Bayer - acting Financial Controller and project roles included integrating businesses, key supplier contract reviews, and resolution of key accounting challenges. • Coeliac UK - full responsibility for Finance and Administration. She introduced a planning process to involve key managers as well as implementing Charity SORP compliant accounts. • The Oxfam International Tsunami Fund – Fund controller coordinating the funds raised by 12 Oxfams worldwide and the relief efforts of 5 implementing Oxfams. Recently Caroline has established a-count-a-bility as a consultancy to provide interim financial management and other support to business owners. Support will vary from a few hours to a number of days, as a one off activity or over a longer period. Clients to date have included those involved in marketing, training, advertising, photography, and hair and beauty with a turnover up to £2.5m.

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Clive Bowman, London Clive worked with Marling Industries as Group Chief Accountant. Later, he become Divisional Chief Accountant of the Electrical Division of Delta Metal, where he was responsible for the consolidation of the financial information of 30 global subsidiaries (turnover of £50m). He later moved to Global Tours (part of the GUS group) and worked as group Finance Director and Company Secretary in a Treasury role. In 1985, Clive went into an ailing print franchise in the West End and revitalised the business, expanding to another shop in Covent Garden. He negotiated with the US owners to buy the Master Franchise and rather uniquely became both franchisor and franchisee. He then became Chairman of the Franchise Company, developing the concept in the UK and Ireland. His businesses were eventually sold after 16 years to an unsolicited buyer and he now acts as a business adviser to various enterprises.

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Godfrey Burley, East Yorkshire A Chartered Accountant with a wide experience of senior financial and general management roles and a history of significant achievement. • Head of Treasury for a very large copper mine in Zambia • Senior accounting and general management positions in the retail motor trade • Financial Director of East Yorkshire Motor Services Limited, the primary bus and coach company in Hull and the East Riding, Yorkshire. He was instrumental in a management buy-out of the company which was being sold as part of the privatisation of National Bus Company. He became Joint Managing Director and 50/50 shareholder in the company, with his co-owner. A successful coach holiday business, National Holidays Limited, was also developed. • 1990's, founder, shareholder, director and chairman of Prism Rail Plc, which bid for railway passenger franchises. Prism was successful in winning four franchises with a total turnover of circa £500m.The company moved on to the main list of the London Stock Exchange in July 1998. • He has taken an equity stake and acts as chairman or financial director of a number of companies, including: - • Ede Powder Coatings Limited, Beverley, East Yorkshire – metal powder coaters • Legend Club Management Systems (UK) Limited, York – club management systems for health and fitness clubs Other activities: Member of Council Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT) Honorary Treasurer Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT) Director Bus and Coach Services Limited Director Passenger Transport Forum for Employee Development Limited (TRANSfED) Member of Board of Management Bonded Coach Holidays (BCH) Member of Council The Railway Forum Past Chairman of the Humberside Section of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport UK and has also served on the National Council of that body

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Stephen Chaytow, Surrey Steven Chaytow has a broad range of commercial and professional skills particularly in finance, operations and sales and marketing. 12 years as a consultant at KPMG contributes to over 25 years of operational, advisory and interim expertise across a variety of sectors - technology, media, financial services and manufacturing. Stephen undertakes a lot of SME advisory work dealing with client relationship management, 3 and 5 year business planning, cost reduction and profitability analysis, transactions and operational risk management, the funding and sale of businesses (due diligence, investor presentations and negotiations) and operations reviews and interim management.

 

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Gerald Conaghan, Glasgow Gerald has been a chartered accountant since 1979. Trained with KPMG, he spent 4 years in Canada and then worked for 20 years with a mid sized electrical retailer. Recently, he has acted as a consultant to clients in the SME Sector, assisting them with the preparation of financial reports, business plans, budgets, business financing, business development, HR planning, cost reduction and assorted business issues. Specialist areas include retail, family businesses and the Charity sector (he is currently the treasurer of two local charities and has significant experience in fundraising).

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Peter Cordas, London An FCA, Peter qualified (ICAEW) in July 1978, with PKF and subsequently joined PWC, before moving into industry in 1979. He gained excellent commercial financial management experience with fast growing U.S. technology multinationals, holding senior positions where he was responsible for finance and accounting, business planning, M.I.S., legal, treasury, tax, human resources and general administration. Since 1993, Peter has specialized in bespoke financial and finance consulting for MDC & Co, where in addition to filling senior line management positions in client companies, he has successfully managed strategic financial projects, including international turnarounds and equity/debt restructuring/refinancing. Peter is also experienced at managing external professional relationships, including investor relations and SFA compliance.

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Alastair L. Dougall, Edinburgh Alastair Dougall has over 20 years experience working in industry, particularly in the SME arena. In addition to the normal financial functions, he has been involved in company acquisitions, international sales (USA, France & Japan), instigating agency distribution networks and company strategic planning on a group scale. He has built up excellent connections with all the major banks and is able to add a stronger and more professional case when representing his clients.

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Clive Eplett, Surrey Clive has been developing a portfolio career as an entrepreneur and part-time FD since 2001. He joined SFI Group plc in 1991, sorting out a near-terminal accounting failure before becoming FD and playing a key role in ten years of 30% growth, numerous acquisitions, listing on AIM, then the LSE, and the creation of £300m of enterprise value. During this time, turnover grew from £8.5m to over £100m. Clive qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte Haskins and Sells in Southampton in 1984 and has also worked in Coopers & Lybrand in London and a small single-office accounting practice in Portsmouth. His specialization and interests lie in the growth of SMEs and adding significant value through a commercial approach. He is currently a shareholder and part-time Finance Director for Entertainment Media Research, the UK's leading music research business.

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Laurence Gilbert, Cheshire A Chartered Accountant, Laurence has concentrated on developing his career in financial and general management. He has run and owned a number of companies as Managing and Finance Director working in all the key business sectors including manufacturing, distribution retail and leisure. Laurence has managed operations in the USA, Europe and Latin America and was involved in floating a company in NASDAQ in New York (European Micro Holdings Inc.). His core competencies include business plans, mergers and acquisitions, exit strategies, financing from the banking and venture capital sectors, strategic reviews (He is an accredited Argenti Facilitator), developing and implementing financial and management information systems and change management.

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Michael Guile, London Michael Guile has thirty years experience working in the international fund management industry in the City of London and has considerable experience in managing assets for pension funds, insurance companies, corporates and central banks in all of the world's major financial markets. In addition to a through understanding of the workings of the world's financial markets, Michael's skills include evaluating global financial markets, structuring portfolios in order to maximise total returns within the clients risk parameters, writing reports and heading up regular meetings with clients.

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Ian Halliday, Suffolk After qualifying as a CA in Scotland, Ian spent three years with Price Waterhouse in London and another two in Merchant Banking. This was followed by PA Management Consultants, where he held senior management positions in manufacturing and oil–related industries before heading-up the recovery from insolvency of a major Middle Eastern Group. Returning to Scotland, he became one of the first Business Planning Consultants to the DTI and set up his own firm of Chartered Accountants. He moved to Suffolk for family reasons, and there he continues his consultancy, specializing in the needs of SMEs.

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Roderick Hayward, London Rod commenced his career with a large firm of Chartered Accountants. Joining the management consultancy division, he installed systems aimed at monitoring and maximising profitability at both the product and corporate level. He then spent 5 years in the corporate finance department of a City merchant bank, where he worked on acquisitions and disposals, market flotations and other funding projects. He also served as a non-executive director of a small public company which specialised in manufacturing polymer-based products for the medical and dental markets. Following approval from the US Food & Drugs Administration for a breakthrough surgical adhesive, the company was acquired by Pfizer. In the mid 1970s Rod joined a global printing group as its Acquisitions Manager. After the group was acquired by a major Canadian corporation, he became responsible for the reorganisation of all the overseas subsidiaries into a new tax-effective structure. From 1979 to 2002 Rod worked in various roles for the Marley Group of companies. As Corporate Development Manager, he developed an acquisition strategy expanding the Group, identifying and supervising the acquisition of 8 businesses in the UK, Europe and USA. He then served as Financial Director of three operating divisions and throughout his 15 years, the company experienced considerable expansion including the acquisition of two additional factories and the opening of five sales outlets in Europe, the USA, Middle East and China.

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Paul Higginbottom, North Yorkshire Paul works as a business advisor supporting a number of SMEs. His financial and cash management skills were honed under the watchful eye of Lord Weinstock as Finance Director of a GEC subsidiary, before taking his first general management role as Divisional Director. He successfully rationalised the business and subsequently assisted with its sale as GEC divested of non-core activities. Having worked for much larger concerns his next venture was with a small educational publishing business. As General Manager he played a major role in growing the business from 20 employees to 140 within a three year period with matching turnover and substantial profitability. The company became the leading supplier of educational revision guides in the UK and at one time had 19 of the top 20 best selling books in this category. Now based in North Yorkshire he is using his business acumen and experience to support local business owners.

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Barry Hill, Buckinghamshire Fellow of the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants, Executive Associate of the Institute for Independent Business, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management, Knight Commander of a Chilean Order Barry is an independent business advisor to SMEs, a business turnaround specialist and a part time Finance Director to Jonathan Crisp Ltd. and Natural Crisps Ltd. Recent SME experiences include: the raising of finance and turnaround of a stainless steel fabricator; financial advice and management information tools to a recruitment company that was underperforming; assisting a haulage company to raise funds and produced appropriate key performance indicators. Barry has also undertaken Finance and Managing Director roles across the globe in a number of verticals including transport logistics, airport support, steel fabrication, agricultural, telecoms and electrical equipment.

 

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Peter Johns, West Sussex Peter has 35 years' international experience as an Executive and Finance Director at board level in the private and public sector. His key skills are Commercial management, Strategy and Business Planning, Mergers and Acquisitions and Performance Improvement. Peter introduced financial performance targets and corporate accountability guidelines which enabled corporate overheads to be cut by 20%; finance - negotiated €100 million medium term debt for a major plastics producer; replaced or introduced new systems for financial accounting, treasury, payroll and human resources, project accounting, fixed assets and procurement; carried out a strategic business review for a major European Air Traffic Control centre which resulted in continued long term support from shareholders; managed the M & A team that completed seven acquisitions (£100 million) and one divestment.

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John Lomas, Tunbridge Wells John is MD of Lomasvfd, which provides a Virtual Financial Director Service for ambitious companies that need more than an accountant but cannot support the overhead of a full time FD. As a Chartered Management Accountant, John is perfectly equipped to provide businesses with the skills required to dynamically improve their business. John's team look after Payroll and book-keeping whilst he deals with strategy and statutory accounts. All of the companies that have used LOMASVFD have shown improved profit, control and vision. One client said 'Lomasvfd have turned our business round completely. Their professionalism and 'cut to the chase' approach have given our business renewed direction and purpose' Previous activities:- • Over 5 years acting as a consultant to EDF • Lead project accountant - Over 5 years working in the finance department of Alcatel where he was in charge of contracts totalling $400m, from bid stage through to Final contract delivery. On one contract, he saved £3m in tax by trading through Malaysian and German companies. • Currently Treasurer of a local enterprise group that aims to regenerate the local community. • He founded and chairs a local business breakfast club.

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Tim Luscombe, Oxfordshire Tim is a CIMA qualified accountant who has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, cash flow management, start-ups and business process design. He completed his initial training in manufacturing followed by post acquisition integration work in an oil distribution business and periods in the IT industry, Tim has lived and worked in the US and also had responsibility for Asia Pacific operations whilst based in Hong Kong. As an independent advisor, Tim has worked in industries ranging from manufacturing and distribution to equipment rental and insurance. He is a sought after speaker and presenter and in 2008 will be providing a Master course for CIMA.

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Richard Major, Surrey Consulting Richard has acted as a business adviser, particularly on financial and accounting issues, for several years. He has accreditations as an internet solutions consultant with WSI and as a business adviser with the Institute for Independent Business International (IIBI). Corporate and professional Throughout his career, Richard has undertaken the roles of a CFO, a Finance Director and a Company Secretary with experience across a broad spectrum of industries. He has worked with SMEs, trade associations, charities and large public companies including Price Waterhouse (as it was then named), Courtaulds and Lonrho.

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Iain McCusker, Kent Iain has over 30 years of financial and general management experience, advising and mentoring businesses of all sizes to achieve improved performance, profitability and value. He has been involved in a number of start-up operations, taking them to the AIM and New York OTC markets at substantial price premiums. Iain also established two start-up services businesses, developing them into market leading international companies. He has been a partner in PWC as well as a director of Unisys and Xerox Corporation, all of which gave him valuable experience of global markets. Most recently, Iain was the Managing Director of The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the global professional accounting body, where he was responsible for its strategy and development and for its global operations across the 180 countries in which it operates. A member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, Iain has been chairman of its IT Committee and a member of its Qualification Board which is responsible for the governance and development of the Institute's standards and brand.

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Ian McFarlane-Toms, Cambridgeshire Ian is a multi-skilled individual who has spent the majority of his career working in the international arena. With eleven of the last fifteen years living outside of the UK, he has a broad range of commercial experiences, and a true understanding of the nature of change and cultural differences. In addition to general management in business start-ups, Ian has held senior executive management positions in marketing, sales, finance and operations for a number of global pharmaceutical and biotechnology corporations. Professionally trained, qualified and accredited as a consultant, business adviser, trainer and coach, Ian has a track record of success directly managing companies as well as leading change programs and project management in Sales & marketing, R&D, IT and Finance.

 

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Tim Mocroft, West Midlands Tim has been the Chairman and Managing and Finance Director for a range of companies, primarily SMEs, involved in manufacturing, food processing, transport and logistics, B2B services and Telecoms. He has been a key player in numerous corporate actions including a flotation (National Express Plc), a management buy out (National Express Plc) and a Management buy in, numerous acquisitions and disposals, refinancing and re-banking exercises, joint ventures and venture investing. Tim has worked extensively with the Treasury, DTI (DBERR) and Regional Development Agencies on a number of access to finance issues affecting the business community (especially SMEs) - occupational pensions, accounting standards, employers liability insurance, company voluntary arrangements, MG Rover collapse and transformation funding for SMEs.

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Ralph Myers, Middlesex Financial manager, management accountant and turnaround specialist, Ralph Myers is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. From 2001, he has been working independently for companies sized between £1m to £20m turnover as a business advisor and interim manager, providing financial support at board level, financial and strategic planning, interim financial management, fund raising and negotiation, business turnaround and mentoring business owners. Prior to 2001, Ralph spent 20 years at board and controller level managing the finances of companies with turnovers ranging from £15 – 25m, in each undertaking carrying a share of the general management.

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Patsy Perley, Hertfordshire Associate, Institute of Independent Business Fellow, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Member, Association of Accounting Technicians. Patsy is the founder/Director of Resourceful Business Solutions Limited, which provides accounting, financial control, mentoring and business advice in the UK. Patsy has also worked at senior management level with the following companies: • Design OMK Limited, Furniture Designer • Greenmantle Limited - a Landscape Garden Design company, • Focus EAP Limited - providing employee assisted programmes, critical incidents and bullying and harassment programmes. Clients included Whitbread, Hackney Council and Hanson. • Quit Limited – a UK Charity helping smokers to quit • Architects Co-Partnership Ltd - a prestigious, award winning firm of architects primarily involved with PFI's and building Schools.

 

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Hamish Ross, Buckinghamshire Hamish is a Finance Director with broad experience of the SME sector both in the UK and beyond. With a special interest in young, start up businesses, his hands on approach has enabled him to provide day to day accounting functional support as well as more strategic management and advice on the profitable development of the business. His key skills include cash forecast management, systems specifications and business planning.

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Philip Rudin, Newbury Philip is a highly experienced finance professional and with the exception of two years as a senior manager with a national charity, Philip has spent his working life in a broad range of commercial organisations. His key areas of expertise and senior management experience include: • All aspects of financial management and control • Strategic planning • Forecasting (especially cash flow) • Funding/investment • Process design and implementation • Sales and marketing through both own sales teams and independent distribution • Acquisitions and disposals • Preparation for sale/exit planning • IT and communication • Stakeholder relationships (including investors, banks and suppliers) • International sales and distribution development • Customer satisfaction measurement and management

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Satyaban (Satch) Sarkar, Middlesex Associate of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants MBA form Strathclyde Business School, Glasgow Accredited Associate of The Institute for Independent Business.   For the last 19 years, Satyaban (Satch) has worked as a Finance Director for a manufacturing, retail and distribution company in Watford. His responsibilities include overall financial cash management, budgetary control, forecasting, working capital management, management reporting, cost control, profitability and margin increases. He has also developed strong relationships with external fund providers and City Lawyers. Notable Achievements Liaising with Sainsbury's Homebase Board to renegotiate rents, franchising of stores, investing in modern CNC plants to maximize in-house manufacturing profitability, successful negotiation of share buy-back from a major shareholder and successfully setting up the US Distribution Company. Christian Salvesen Plc - Chief accountant/ Cost controller/ Assistant Accountant for the house building division in Glasgow.

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Martin Scriven A highly experienced non-executive Director of several companies in the North of England, Martin is a a specialist in corporate finance, business start-ups, acquisitions, Stock Exchange flotations, exit strategies and business turnarounds, including insolvency. In between part time Finance Director assignments, Martin runs his own corporate finance company and a successful commercial property company in Yorkshire. He has many contacts through his work which provide resources complementary to his own skills.

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Mike Sims, Sussex Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Associate, Institute for Independent Business. Most of Mikes' experience lies within the SME sector, where he has specilalised in the asset finance and business services functions Achievements: • FD of Dana Commercial Credit Ltd, a leading IT and telecoms equipment leasing company with over 40,000 SME customers and assets of £125 million. As CEO, he was the joint recipient of the coveted Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award for Performance Excellence. • Co-founder of Vine Recruitment Consultants, specialising in placements of executive level candidates in the financial sector • Co-founder of Kaneme, an investment boutique where he worked with leading banks and professionals structuring tax-efficient investment products• A number of CFO roles at divisional level for global leaders in the asset finance sector, typically being involved at the start up stage and managing risk and profitability during a period of dynamic growth.

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Mike Skuse Mike is a Chartered Accountant and was, until recently, a partner with KPMG. During this time, he dealt with a wide range of clients in diverse industries. He has considerable experience of operating at board level and acting as a board adviser on issues ranging from strategic direction to day to day operational matters. Since leaving KPMG he has run his own business specialising in working as a business adviser to SMEs.

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Paul Stevens, Surrey Following the successful completion of his Articles of Association with a firm of Chartered Accountants in the West End of London, Paul joined what was once the Stevens family business, then part of Colgate Holdings (U.K.) Limited as Deputy Company Secretary. The business was involved in the import and distribution of foods from around the world to the retail, wholesale and food manufacturing sectors. Responsible for an ever increasing role in financial planning, monthly management accounts and foreign exchange hedging, he spent six months on secondment at Colgate's manufacturing facility in Manchester as an internal auditor. Following his return, he was appointed Financial Director of the family business in 1985 and was part of an international group of executives that purchased Colgate's Food Division (Rivana Foods Inc, Texas). Paul succeeded his father as Chief Executive in 1989 and was also appointed as Vice President of Riviana. There followed a 10 year sustained growth in profit before tax from £386K to £1.8 million, Following the acquisition of the Riviana Group by Ebro Puleva S.A., Spains largest food group, he undertook a group rationalisation role before setting up his own business advisory practice, Protean Solutions. Paul has close links with the International Centre for Families in Business. In October 2007, he was appointed a non-executive director of Business Link (Surrey) Ltd and is currently Chair of the Audit Committee.

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George Taylor , South Queensferry George has been a Director with companies providing financial and business advice and services to enterprises in the SME sector in Central Scotland. Prior to that, he held several executive positions with Hewlett Packard and Agilent Technologies, both US multinationals in the technology sector. Roles included Financial Controller, Senior Director, Vice-President European Operations, and Vice-President and General Manager, Scotland. These roles required extensive knowledge and experience in Finance, IT, Engineering, Production, Supply Chain and Logistics.

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Edward Tudor, Surrey Associate, Institute for Independent Business Fellow, Institute of Internal Auditors Associate, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants Member, SAGE, Quickbooks and MYOB Accounting Clubs.   Edward Tudor is a hands on Chartered Management Accountant and Internal Auditor with a wealth of systems experience. He has worked in a variety of business sector