Bio

After qualifying as a solicitor with Clifford Chance, worked from 1985 to 1990 in the corporate finance division of Kleinwort Benson, and experience included a wide range of transactions involving company acquisitions, disposals, flotations, placings, rights issues and other fund-raisings. In 1990 joined Rowan Dartington, the Bristol-based stockbroker. As Corporate Finance Director, established the quoted corporate finance division and a client base of some 15 companies. In 1993, was appointed Managing Director of Appleby Westward Group plc, the then USM-quoted SPAR food distributor and convenience store operator. Took Appleby Westward to a full Stock Exchange listing in 1996 and negotiated the £10m recommended offer from BWG Limited (then part of Irish Distillers and Groupe Pernod Ricard) in February 1997. After 9 months on the BWG Board, left Appleby Westward and established Coleford Consulting Limited to develop advisory and investment activities, primarily in the South West of England. Became a Director of Anvil Partners in 1998 and a Member of Anvil Partners LLP in 2004. Non-Executive Chairman of Pearce Holdings. Qualified solicitor.