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Raj Thapar

Finance Director, Commercially focused, Company and/or Group
About

Always keen to learn and grow, I am a commercially focused finance professional with extensive experience in technology driven SME’s and PLC’s across sectors, including retail, FMCG and manufacturing. With many having been under VC/PE ownership, I have added value at Board level as well as delivering both strategically and operationally to achieve a company’s goals. I have worked closely with IT/Systems experts throughout my career to improve business understanding, enhance performance, create KPI reporting and so helped in supporting the building & growth of ambitious organizations.

Previous Brands
AMS2052 Ltd
Northumberland Foods Limited
PERFORMANCE TIMBER PRODUCTS GROUP LIMITED
Various
Work Experience
Group Finance Director
Jan ‘14 - Mar ‘23
PERFORMANCE TIMBER PRODUCTS GROUP LIMITED

>Market leading supplier of high performance, engineered premium timber windows and doors. >Promoted from interim FD to FD of largest trading company in 2015 and then to Group CFO in 2017. >Originally owned by Graphite Capital Partners with successful exit/sale to Bergs AB, a £250m turnover Swedish quoted timber group in June 2021. >Group turnover grew from £23m in 2018 to near £44m in 2022.

Finance Director
Jan ‘08 - Jan ‘11
Northumberland Foods Limited

> PE backed purchase out of Administration of Added Value Frozen Veg Foods Supplier to major supermarkets > Turnaround within 18 months including increased annual sales and new launch of Ainsley Harriot range, plus £1m cost savings. > Key stakeholder relationships with Banks, Regional Development Agency, Northumberland County Council, Local and European Politicians.

Freelance Finance Specialist
Jan ‘05 - Jan ‘14
AMS2052 Ltd

Provision of Interim & Contract Finance skills with client base including: >Southrop Estates. Cotswolds based Premium Accommodation and Cookery School >Major Bars Ltd, Head of Finance. S/West based pubs/nightclubs/hospitality SME group >PCL Transport, Finance Director. Countrywide private family owned Logistical Transport business >Joules Clothing, Finance Consultant. Fashion retail for Women, Men and Children >Newbury Racecourse, Finance Manager. Horseracing and Hospitaility & Concerts venue >Ministry of Justice, FD of Corporate Services. >I Want One of Those.com, FD / European Home Retail HO

Financial Controller to Director of Planning
Jan ‘93 - Jan ‘05
Various

>Allders Dept. Stores [VC backed retailer]; Director of Planning + Analysis >WA Turner [VC backed Supermarket supplier]; Financial Controller >Victor Chandler Gaming [Private -Betting]; Fin.Mgr. New Bus. Development >WH Smith [Quoted -High St. retailer]; FC Stationery Business Unit >Mark One (VC backed Clothing retailer); Financial Controller

Education & Training
ICAEW
Chartered Accountant
University of Hertfordshire
BSc Aeronautical Engineering
Swindon, UK