Cy joined Cressall in July 2006 as Operations Director with responsibility for Manufacturing, Engineering, Design, QSH&E, MP&L, Manufacturing Engineering, IT and ERP/Business systems across two UK manufacturing sites. Cy’s brief was to deliver business transformation through Lean activities which included the business systems and ERP use within the organisation. Cy gained an MBA in Engineering Management in 2009 and in 2011 was promoted to Managing Director. He remains dedicated to Lean transformation and working tirelessly towards a better, faster and more efficient operation.

Laurence is a French native. She has lived in the UK for the last 20 years. Laurence studied law in France and in the UK. She has a French Master in International Commercial Law and a UK Master of Laws. Laurence has 14 years of experience in Aerospace & Defence (A&D) Industry and in UK, EU and US export controls. After four years as an export control consultant for Deloitte, Laurence returned to Industry in April 2012, working as an Export Control Manager for Marshall Aerospace & Defence Group, in the UK, where she is responsible for all aspects of export control matters, including the maintenance of an efficient internal compliance programme and the provision of export control advice to the Marshall Aerospace & Defence Group. Laurence is a member of the Export Group for Aerospace and Defence (EGAD) and sits on various EGAD sub-committees working closely with Industry and the UK government on export control regulatory issues. In 2014 she was short-listed in two categories for the Women in Compliance Awards.

A former Rolls-Royce engineer, Adrian Maxwell joined Fracino – the UK’s only manufacturer of espresso and cappuccino machines, which sells its machines to the Italians – in 1987. Becoming MD in 2007, Adrian drives the expansion of the 50-strong, third generation family business launched in a garden shed in 1963 by his father Frank.

From a standing start in 2008, exports now represent 28% of Fracino’s unprecedented £4.1m turnover and the business exports to over 70 countries. Last year Fracino was invited by Number 10 Downing Street to loan 11 of its Piccino espresso machines to the G8 Summit.  Constantly innovating, Fracino has developed six new machines in as many years – with another machine due to be launched.

Industrial Chemist, Frank Howard, started his own business in 1979 exporting industrial chemicals, pesticides for agriculture and insecticides for environmental health programmes.  Now as Managing Director of Hockley International Ltd he leads an SME with sales of £20 million to some 60 countries

Andrea has been an Export Finance Adviser for UK Export Finance since October 2012 covering the South East. She has built up strong relationships across the region with the banks, alternative finance providers, LEP’s, Chambers of Commerce and exporters. Andrea has supported exporters across the region helping them access UKEF support and providing impartial advice on mitigating payment risk on export contracts.

Cheshire born and bread Ed started his career working for an independent fuel company managing a small commercial lubricants distributor.  After spending 9 years working in the oil industry, Ed decided that a move was in order and in 2004 approached Roger and Liz Sutton about a move to Delamere and into the UK’s dairy industry.

Initially appointed as Delamere’s Sales Manager Ed helped to develop sales within the multiple markets and build upon relationships within the dairy sector.  Over a four year period Delamere strengthened its position within the industry and on the back of this Ed was appointed Delamere’s Commercial Director in December 2007.

Following a MBO / Management restructure in October 2008 Ed became co owner of Delamere with Roger and Liz and has steered the business through the economic events of the past few years.

Paul is a founding member of Shott Trinova LLP and a board member of Kiln Flame Systems Limited. He is a graduate of Newcastle University and a KPMG-trained Chartered Accountant.

He has developed his technical, managerial and leadership skills during two decades in senior finance roles in international organisations (public, private and private equity backed) in the food, energy services and pharmaceutical industry.

In 2004, he became a director and shareholder of a small company in the pharmaceutical sector, Excelsyn.  Despite challenging economic conditions and a tough environment for bank debt, the business grew significantly and was sold to a US multinational in February 2010, with market leading returns.  Paul is passionate about creating sustainable growth in SMEs.  He is a calm, pragmatic and results focused professional who delivers exceptional value growth though a relentless focus on cash and profit.

Rahul is originally from India. After a post graduate degree in International business from a reputed business school in India, he was posted in Moscow, Russia for TATA Group (one of the largest business conglomerate in India) where he was responsible for various business roles in diverse business areas such pharmaceuticals, trading, tea, telecommunications to name but a few. Rahul then moved to England to pursue a full time MBA from Henley Management college. Upon completion of MBA, Rahul joined the TATA Group once again this time based in London looking after their retail consumer telecommunications business for North America and Europe. Rahul joined Typhoo Tea in 2009 as the head of International sales and since then been a champion of growing their export business in more than 40 countries. Typhoo tea was awarded a bronze medal in 2012 for outstanding export achievement by FDF (Food and drink federation) and has been recently nominated for the same award for 2014.

Tom is a regulatory lawyer with expertise in compliance, investigations and corporate criminal defence.  He is experienced in cases concerning export controls and trade sanctions, bribery, money laundering, product safety, health and safety, and other regulatory offences.  Tom has successfully defended numerous criminal cases and he regularly advises on the conduct of internal investigations into potential criminal infractions.  He also regularly provides risk management advice and training to help companies comply with laws which attract criminal consequences, particularly in the area of export control and trade sanctions.  Tom is a Director of  Complete Electronic Risk Compliance Limited (Cerico), a company formed by Pinsent Masons to deliver compliance technology and solutions.

I studied at Engineering at York University. I have had a passion for food from an early age, and have continued that in my career path. I started at Geeta’s Foods back in 2002. Being a small entrepreneurial business, I quickly got involved in most aspects of the business.

I have started working on Export development for over 10 years, and now have a wealth of experience. Export plays an important part of our business strategy. I am now responsible for all our export markets, and have high ambitions and targets to continue growing this, and helping Geeta’s become the leading Premium brand in the ambient Indian category.

Ewan Lloyd-Baker has worked in corporate turnaround and corporate finance both as a principal and adviser for nearly 20 years. He started his career at Arthur Andersen working in corporate recovery and corporate turnaround with a number of privately owned and publicly listed companies. As a principal, he was part of the management team in a venture capital backed start-up which was ultimately sold to Reuters. He then helped set up a FTSE100 corporate incubator before completing his Masters of Business Administration. Ewan is a partner in Lloyd-Baker & Associates, a merger and acquisition boutique, which for over a decade has focused on acquiring a number of companies on behalf of its clients in deals ranging from £1 million to £20 million with a particular focus on the engineering and manufacturing sectors. Ewan was responsible for finding the original Hayward Tyler opportunity by setting up the acquisition vehicle, brokering the deal, managing the finance raising process and reversing the Company into an AIM listed PLC. He subsequently led the restructuring of the main operational business during the recession and is now focused on leading the Group through its next phase of growth.

Stephen joined the Hughes Group in early 2009 and had a background in accountancy with training completed 30 years ago with a well-known North West Regional firm, since moving into industry in 1984 he has held a number of CFO and MD roles across industry. 1984 4 years: CFO of subsidiary company in property development group. 1988: 16 years CFO then MD of healthcare company within PLC group. Skilled in Business Development, Finance, Innovation and General Management, within Hughes Group he has had an initial focus on financial and systems development to meet the needs of a fast growing manufacturing and exporting Group and is now focusing on the commercial development of overseas markets, overseas subsidiary offices and the logistical challenges of meeting the expectations of its largest new marketplace  – North America.

Mark has over 25 years banking & business experience in a wide variety of roles in the corporate and commercial banking arena. Mark heads the Santander International Team in the UK focussed on helping SME’s growing overseas. He has previously headed up International, Working Capital, Cash Management & Foreign Exchange Teams for other banks in the UK Market. Mark has also spent time building businesses in the SME market that trade internationally whilst away from the banking sector during the past 10 years.

Owen is a project manager who is an experienced Market Researcher and Chartered Marketer.  He has lived in several Asian countries and specializes in these markets. Using a customer-centred approach; he has delivered a range of projects on time and in budget.

With engineering and marketing degrees, Owen has worked within various business sectors including: engineering, hospitality and education. He has established and grown profitable operations; from start-up to £million+ revenues.

Owen has worked at Norbar Torque Tools since 2011, where he has responsibility for Middle East and Asia – plus aviation.

Owen is married to Sarah, with two children – his bosses!