A transformational and highly respected Commercial Business Leader, with a proven track record of high delivery across PLC, Private Ownership and Private Equity business models.  With 35 years in the food manufacturing sector, he brings a proven track record of delivering sizable new business, accretive profitability and long-term business stability.

In a recent role, he developed and delivered a strategic plan which grew sales from £145m to £360m, whilst vastly improving customer relationships and transforming the business from transactional and tender driven to one which was seen as highly strategic, high value and in some cases sacred across all its major customer base.  This included moving supply contracts from 12 months to 3 and 5 year strategic supply agreements and moving to ‘sole supplier’ status across its relevant categories with almost all its customers.  In addition, he focused, won and onboarded new customers, majorly diluting customer dependency through moving from 2 to 6 customers.  To further de-risk, he successfully developed and implemented raw material input cost recovery mechanisms to further de-risk the business from high exposures of inflation. During his tenure in role, he increased EBITDA from 5% to 12%, and worked directly with the owner to successfully sell his business to Private Equity, providing long term succession and an industry leading enterprise value.  He then remained with the business for a further seven years, continuing to deliver and increasing responsibilities to include all Procurement with a £200m spend.  He was the only remaining Executive Board Director post the sale.

During his career in food, he has also co-led a Management Buy-out, and subsequent highly successful sale following a 5-year turnaround.  On the back of this, he was the only Executive Board member retained by the new owners, becoming promoted to Managing Director, when he led highly successful business integration and culture change projects, before being asked by the owner to re-join a business he had worked with previously.

Across his 35 year career in food manufacturing and owning customer plus supplier relationships, he has developed highly respected relationships with senior retailer stakeholders, some of whom have asked him to coach and mentor key members of their developing teams.  He has also been asked to present on stage at retailer supplier conferences (including annual IGD conferences) on many occasions; often as a benchmark supplier that’s transformed their relationship.  As such he is seen as a highly regarded, trusted and knowledgeable ambassador within the food industry.  He is well networked, and is recognised and highly respected by colleagues, peers, customers, suppliers and competitors.  He is highly regarded for building and retaining high performing teams through his infectious motivation, drive, inclusion and mentor driven modus operandi.

To find out more, contact max@redfoxexecutive.com or call +44 (0)1284 715055.