As announced by Private Equity Wire – Hugh Clark, former director of the world-renowned Clarks shoes business, has joined our new advisory board.

The board, which is chaired by Douglas Jack (Equity Analyst at investment bank Peel Hunt) and Nick Basing (Executive Chairman of Ten Entertainment Group), is made up of experienced business leaders who assist us with identifying and assessing investment opportunities for our network. They also help our portfolio businesses with their growth plans, offering guidance and support to the management teams, which often involves taking up non-executive directorships.

Hugh Clark has previous experience of running businesses that have been backed by private equity houses including 3i and Piper, through his role as Managing Director of outdoor clothing business Rohan and as Chairman of one of our portfolio companies, Kirk & Kirk, which creates luxury eyewear.

Hugh also has experience in providing support to growing companies through his role as Chairman of the Institute for Family Businesses.

Alongside Hugh, we have also made eight other new appointments to the board –

 

Greg Tufnell, former CEO of Mothercare Plc, MD at Arcadia and Director of Next. Greg is now Founder and Managing Partner of Prime Advantage Capital Partners, a corporate finance advisory firm

 

Adam Bellamy, currently Senior Independent Director at Ten Entertainment Group and a Non-Executive Director at café and bar operator Loungers. A qualified accountant, Adam has previously been the CFO of a number of private equity backed businesses, including PureGym, where he completed two successful sales to private equity buyers

 

Meg Lustman, former CEO of Hobbs London, the luxury fashion brand, and Buying Director of Fashion at John Lewis. Meg is currently an independent mentor and consultant and is Senior Advisor at Keyhaven Capital Partners, a London-based PE firm

 

Fraser Allan, former CEO of luxury retailers SpaceNK and LINLEY, and former Finance Director of Laura Ashley and The Burton Group.

 

Richard Bull, Vice President UK & Ireland of Capgemini, the professional services firm. Richard is also a former Director at BAE Systems Applied Intelligence and Fujitsu, the IT services provider

 

Arnaud Flecchia, Founder and former MD of Locken, the wireless security provider. Arnaud is also co-founder of the UK Essec Business Angels Club, which provides funding opportunities for start ups in the UK market

 

Iain Bishop, former Chief Technology Officer at technology and software businesses Allocate Software and Kewill. Iain has a successful track record of working with private equity and venture capital to build and transform businesses to high levels of growth

 

Mike Molesworth, former CEO of vehicle manufacturer Dennis Eagle, where he led a management buy out in 2004. Mike is now Chair and Non-Executive Director at a range of businesses, including Egbert Taylor, the waste management solutions company

 

Ian Zant-Boer, our CEO, says:

“Having Hugh Clark join our new advisory board is a real coup, especially for investee businesses in retail and related sectors.”

“The board will give Growthdeck-backed companies access to leaders with experience of growing businesses across a wide variety of sectors – from retail and leisure to technology and financial services.”

“I have no doubt that each of them will be able to provide our investee companies with invaluable insight into how they can best navigate the challenges of running a fast-growth business.”

Hugh Clark comment:

“I am delighted to have joined the Grothdeck advisory board. Growthdeck backs some very exciting growth ventures and I look forward to helping other founders with their plans in the same way that I am contributing at Kirk & Kirk.”

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