Case Studies

 

Scottish Mutual Asset Investment Fund

Ian designed from concept a new £100m fund which offers commercial investment opportunities for non private sector enterprises. Based on the growing national agenda of providing funds which encourage the broad Social Economy to develop its asset base, and subsequently its trading effectiveness, he has designed a mutually owned collective investment vehicle which would assist in the delivery of economic growth through allowing investing enterprises to grow their balance sheet and generate a commercial revenue return
Initiated in partnership with the Scottish Government at the behest of senior Ministers it is unique to the UK market place in terms of financial products.

The Wise Group

Ian is working with this major social enterprise business to develop a property based investment plan which is part of their overall growth strategy. He has designed an investment template, with particular relevance to the new Scottish Investment Fund, which incorporates a cocktail seed corn loans; capital investment; and organisational support. It is hoped to replicate this unique template to other social economy enterprises in order to assist in their growth and investment aspirations.

North Lanarkshire Regeneration Co.

Ian was instrumental in working with North Lanarkshire Council in carrying out research; due diligence; and providing a delivery vehicle for the creation of a new regeneration company operating within their catchment area. Following the closure of the Boots site in Airdrie, an opportunity was identified in relation to utilising the real estate of this site, as well as other key properties, to substantially re-invest within the areas infrastructure.

Scottish Enterprise Proof of Concept Programme – Outcome Manager

Ann-Marie is currently Outcome Manager on six Proof of Concept funded projects within chemicals and enabling technologies industry sectors. This entails becoming part of project management team involved in delivery of all aspects of the programme, to deliver a commercial outcome at the end of the funding period. This entails working alongside university teams from across Scotland and linking with industry companies and stakeholders.

Chemical Sciences Scotland- Innovation Through Collaboration Programme

Ann-Marie worked as part of a team to work on 1 year programme aimed at stimulating b2b and b2academia collaborations that may lead to commercialisation of innovative ideas and technologies. This involves engagement across Scotland with all chemical companies, academia and UK wide stakeholder community. The programme involves a series of workshops, one to one interviews, networking and desk research. This programme is still ongoing but is already developing significant levels of collaborative ventures along with a revised action plan for engagement.

Zinus Inc

Ann-Marie undertook an audit and feasibility study for a Chinese manufacturing company top assess their technical issues in supplying to UK market, technical and marketing strategies plus an on site asset audit. This led to the company completing a strategy review and technical improvement plan based on her findings. Successful supply to the UK market was established as an outcome

Aggreko PLC

Linda reported to Group Finance Director for key projects within Aggreko. Initially based in Rotterdam to fix major issues in their Continental Europe finance function:
Stabilise the team where there was high turnover, lack of controls, disorganisation, under resourcing, systems issues, backlogs on audits and statutory accounts.
Introduce timetables, planning and objectives to clean up on all of above issues
Part of project team to return finance function to the local countries following the decision that the organisational structure did not meet the Company’s needs.
Latterly based in their Manufacturing operation in Dumbarton to ensure a smooth implementation to a new ERP system and act as catalyst for change in work practices in its finance operation.

Kwik-Fit

Linda reported directly to the Group Financial Director and managed a team of 30 in the UK, with close working relationship with Finance Directors in France, Germany and The Netherlands.

Preparation of the vendor due diligence reports in the run up to the sale of the Kwik-Fit business to a venture capital company, PAI. This included the sign off all financial reports given to potential buyers.
Financial analysis of major closure program in UK and the Netherlands.
Responsible for the financial reporting across all divisions, including managing a major fair value provisioning exercise.
Running down of sold Spanish and Irish businesses to ensure residual issues are resolved and all proceeds are received.

McDonald’s Corporation

Linda was European Financial Controller of this, one of the world’s most recognisable brands. Her role provided support throughout Europe during period of high growth for the company. The main achievements were:

Investment appraisal for proposed McDonald’s restaurant locations. This included producing a 20 yr financial model for use throughout Europe.
Valuing restaurants for sale/Joint Venture buy-outs, proposed valuations of competitor business and multiple real estate companies.
Organisation and review of finance departments in each country. Recruited Finance Controllers/Directors.
Working with non-financial department heads on financial issues e.g. Marketing analysis of promotions, training of real estate personnel on financial issues
Member of European Review board to look at standardisation of computer systems throughout Europe.

 





Scotland
Renewable Energy and Community Ownership – We have experience on developing energy assets both on and off balance sheet.