Stuart Richardson            (BCom Hons)

 

Curriculum Vitae

 

 

  An experienced FMCG, blue-chip marketing and sales based director with     

production experience, entrepreneurial success and a proven track record in building profitable businesses. 

 

Career

 

April 00 -                                Aardvark Business Management

                                                                                               

                                                Developing Business Opportunities for high investment returns.   

           

Aug 1998 - April 00 Brodie Melrose Drysdale & Co. Ltd

                                                (Edinburgh, Scotland)

                                                (Coffees, Teas, Chocolates & Cakes to Retail & Catering Customers.

                                                Covering the whole of the U.K. and including significant exports)

 

                                                Deputy Managing Director     (£2 million turnover)

 

                                                Responsible for all sales and marketing. Reporting jointly to the Chairman and Managing Director.

 

Main achievements            Promoted from Development Director to Deputy Managing Director.

                                                Significant profit achievement in 1999.

                                                Achievement of personnel sales targets.

                                                Opening of prestigious new accounts.

                                                Team Building.         

 

 

1994 - 1998                           SE Growers Ltd. (Haddington, Scotland)

 

                                                (Scotland’s largest seed potato co-operative. 220 members - Half the seed potato growers in Scotland, plus nine in England.)

                                                

                                                 

                                                Managing Director       (£5 million turnover)

                                               

                                                Brought in following a wide ranging and critical

                                                Consultancy Report on the Society.

                         

                                                Responsible for the development and

                                                implementation of the strategic plans for the 

                                                co-operative.  The key overriding principle was to

                                                maximise the returns to the growers both in current

                                                years and future years.

 

                                                Reporting to the Chairman, the Board and

                                                ultimately to the Societies membership.

 

Main achievements            Bringing a professional business input and focus to the co-operative’s activities.

 

                                                Establishing SE Growers as a major player within

                                                the UK and in Europe.

 

                                                Instigating and developing a strategy to ensure the

                                                growers of the best possible future.

 

                                                Successfully maximising the returns to growers in

                                                both good and bad seasons.

 

                                                Negotiated with all major customers ( Multiples,

                                                Packhouses, Merchants, McCains and Pepsi Co.)

 

                                                Travelled extensively abroad building up the

                                                Society’s position within the World Market.

 

1993-1994                             Took 16 months out on a sabbatical

 

 

1991-1993                             Dawnfresh Seafoods Ltd

                                                (Whitehaven, Cumbria and Bothwell, Scotland)

 

                                                Development Director    (£20 million turnover)

                                                (Headhunted from Pets Choice)

 

                                                Responsible for all Marketing, Sales and

                                                Product Development

                                                Reporting to the Chairman and owner.

 

 

 Main  achievements         Relocation of all production and Head Office

                                                to purpose built factory in Bothwell, Scotland.

                                                Involved in run-down of sites in Whitehaven/Ipswich                                                                    

                                                Relocation of all Sales Managers from office based

                                                in Ipswich to home based around the country. 

                                                Involved full Cultural Change Management and

                                                Technological Support Development.

 

1990-1991                             Pets Choice (Blackburn-Petfood Manufacturer)

                                                                                                                        

                                                Marketing Director   (£25 million turnover)

 

                                                Responsible for all elements of the Company’s

                                                marketing activities.  Reporting to the

                                                Chairman and Chief Executive.

 

Main achievements            National launch of “Best Friend Chunky”

                                                 through major grocery multiples.

 

                                                National launch of “Top-to-Tail” extruded

                                                complete dog food through major grocery multiples.

 

                                                Development, installation and implementation

                                                of fully integrated budgetary control systems.

 

 

1987-1990                             Set up-The Pasta Company  (South Humberside)

 

                                                Managing Director   (£1.5 to £2 million turnover)

                                                                                   (120 employees)

 

                                                Producers of “The finest fresh pasta in the world”

 

                                                Responsible for the overall strategic direction of

                                                the Company, the financial performance of the

                                                Company, the development and adherence to the

                                                Marketing Plan, the day to day managing of the

                                                Directors and the development and instigation of

                                                control systems within the factory.

 

 

Main achievements           From a “blank piece of paper” established

                                                The Pasta Company as the UK Number 1 in the

                                                Fresh Pasta Market.(Retail, Foodservice and Industrial. Major multiples, branded and own

                                                label, major ready meal manufacturers and sole supplier  to Grand Metropolitan’s national chain of Pastificio Pasta Restaurants.)

                                                Led negotiations with a number of interested parties ending with the sale of the company to

                                                Geest Plc for £4 million.

                                                                                               

1985-1987                             Master Foods (Part of Mars Group)(Kings  Lynn)

 

                                                Marketing Manager    Foodservice Division

                                                            Uncle Bens Rice - Dry

                                                                                          - Frozen

                                                            Yeoman Mashed Potatoes

                                                            Tyne Brand Meats

                                                            Dolmio Frozen Pasta

 

 

1981-1985                             Beecham Toiletries (Brentford, Middlesex)

 

                                                Product Management

                                                            Airwick Airfresheners

                                                            Vosene Shampoo

                                                            Slazenger Toiletries

                                                            Superdrug own label suncare products

                                                            Macleans Toothpaste

 

1979-1981                             Benton and Bowles Advertising Agency (London)

 

                                                Advertising Account Manager

                                                              Proctor & Gamble

                                                              Fisons

                                                              Dewars Whisky

                                                              Swish Products

                                                              Scholl

                            

 

 Education

                       

1967-1975                             Dollar Academy, Scotland

                                                Head of School

                                                Head of Boarding  House and  Head of CCF

 

1975-1979                             Edinburgh University

                                                Bachelor of Commerce

                                                Joint Honours in Business Studies and

                                                Accountancy (2:1)

                                                                                                 

 

 

Date of Birth                        15 February 1957

 

Status                                    Married, 2 children (16 and 14 years old)

 

Leisure Interests                Family, Business, Fitness, Reading, Sport.

 

 

~ Hands On Help ~

~ Creative Delivery And Beyond ~