Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant in Hove, East Sussex, I have worked in London since 1991 in the media industry and have been a Director since 1993. I became a Fellow of the ICAEW in 2001.

I joined the Institute of Directors in 1995 and became a Fellow in 2003.

During my time as an auditor, from 1984 to 1991, I had the opportunity to get involved in organisations across many business markets. Working for a number of smaller firms of Chartered Accountants gave me in depth knowledge of the clients I worked for.

Over the last ten years I have worked for a number of companies in both Financial and General Management a Finance Director, Deputy Managing Director and Company Secretary. I have a very strong understanding of directorial responsibility, business strategy, reorganisation, cost controls, budgeting, medium-term forecasting and business development.

Using all these skills I have concentrated my energies to ensure that each business has a sound base for development, growth, profitability and long-term success.

Having attended hundreds of Board Meetings, and taken Minutes as necessary, reporting on the financial and management of those businesses, allowed me to experience business at the highest level.

I have also chaired many of the management teams including Operational Boards.

On the reorganisation side I have managed redundancy programs for many of the businesses, chairing the consultation processes. How this process is dealt with has not only a direct impact on the staff leaving, but also on those still employed and therefore needs to be dealt with sensitively and professionally.

I have dealt with many company acquisitions, disposals and mergers, including TUPE requirements. Since 1993 I have reported to a least two Chief Executives at any one time, teaching me the art of time management and quality of information reporting.