Recent Assignments:

  • STAPLES / OFFICE OUTLET
    Interim Chief Restructuring Officer (CRO) November 2016 to June 2017.

    Staples disposed of the loss making UK retail operation to Hilco and their European business to Cerberus.
    The role, as a principal being the only statutory Director, involved the initial decoupling stage of the £200m UK retail business from both U.S. parent company and European back office.
    Immediate requirements included:
    A reduction in overhead and downsizing of the headquarters whilst rebuilding staff morale, this was particularly difficult as Staples online suddenly became a direct competitor.
    Investment in creating the Office Outlet brand and rebranding the 103 stores within 3 months.
    Delivery of continued supply from 90% of suppliers without credit insurance whilst concluding the new trading terms despite the initial lack of a Trading Director.
    A major property disposal / downsizing programme of the loss making stores.
    Introducing accountability/responsibility into the management team in place of a failed existing cumbersome matrix management structure.
    Investing heavily in I.T. to address the issues presented by the new devolved structure and the complexities and obsolescence of the ageing U.S. systems.
    After stabilising the business, and giving the investors comfort, the final two months of the assignment involved overseeing the transition to the newly appointed management team, as Interim non-executive Chairman.
  • Interim Chief Restructuring Officer on behalf of £1bn turnover retailer, to advise on restructuring a £100m turnover loss making division involving a full review to identify the best options for the future of the business, subsequently recommending disposal, as the key elements of the business were no longer relevant in today's fashion market and further complicated by a property portfolio imbalance.
  • Woolovers. Interim CEO for the acquisition integration assignment of this £24m online ecommerce clothing retailer on behalf of Langholm Capital.
  • Interim Chief Restructuring Officer to reverse loss making £400m turnover FMCG discount retailer acquisition into a successful £bn+ turnover plc competitor. Completed in 6 months.
  • £33m Wholesale stationery and branded toy trade supplier. APG Associates were assigned by the investors to review this business and the sector, subsequently managing the business through the administration process, due to sustained losses.

Previous History:

  • Halfords. Raised £325 million fully funded bid with Duke Street Capital.
  • Underwoods. Retail Chemist Chain plc. APG appointed MD of Underwoods plc, effecting a turnaround of the business in 12 months, raising £31m to lead an MBO and subsequently concluding a sale of the business to Boots the Chemist plc for £41m.
  • Carlton Projects. Designed and developed a pay and play golf concept for Chelsfield plc (owners of Wentworth), developed industry leading research, raised £16 million finance in Europe.
  • Homerun Video. Created start-up, designing and implementing the concept, team-building and creating 6 stores within 6 months attracting interest from Blockbuster and Kingfisher.
  • WHSmith Do It All. Alan Gaynor was a founding Director of the 180 strong chain of out of town DIY stores, as Operations Director spearheading the growth.
     
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