BRIAN ELLIOTT

• Co-led purchase of Planet Organic out of Administration. Negotiated transaction with administrator, agreed legals, arranged funding with partner and completed purchase.
• Developed and implemented strategic plan for turn around of business, including property transfers and restructuring leases, reducing fixed and variable costs and eliminating non-profit making operational activities.
• Communicated change programme to team.
• Closed flagship store and acquired new site to relocate business at reduced rent. Planned new layout to maximise operational efficiency, ran fit out contract, including implementation of re-brand.
• Relocated head office, e-commerce and central kitchen to new locations.
• Identified and recruited MD to run re-positioned business
• Planet Organic has £30m turnover and is now profitable.

• Responsible for Horsham’s investment and operational portfolios with revenue responsibility of £4.0m and expenditure of £3m and capital value of £100m+
• Directed team of 8 people including 4 surveyors
• Full budget responsibility for management of estate including rating, repairs and maintenance, professional costs and management costs.
• Responsible for delivery of Council’s capital programme, averaging £6m pa.
• Delivered disposal and acquisition programmes.
• Responsible for aligning property portfolio with operational objectives including collaborating with operational colleagues to understand end user needs.
• Director of Horsham District Homes, responsible for delivery of affordable housing company objectives. Developed 35 affordable homes over 4 year period.

• Creative asset management of a portfolio of business centres occupied by charities
• Improved environmental performance of the portfolio
• Rationalised portfolio including disposals of surplus property
• Manage £12m construction project of new serviced offices, delivering the building on time and budget
• Contributed in a wider context within the senior management team

Academic break during this period to live abroad and undertake distance learning MSc in sustainable development. Published academic paper and awarded Best Student.

• Set strategic direction of business
• Directed and developed senior team, and supported them in achieving their targets
• Fostered positive relations with key external and internal stakeholders
• Expanded business by identifying and acquiring new retail properties
• Completed financial appraisals, specify and execute fitting-out works to achieve best value.
• Worked with finance director to set annual budgets for profit and costs centres
• Raised equity and debt finance for business expansion and development
• Ensured that properties were properly maintained and fit for purpose
• Achievements: Acquired and opened new stores and expanded business from £3.5m turnover to £12m
• Successfully expanded business within tight financial constraints.
• Continuous business renewal to keep proposition ahead of competitors
• Secured successful exit for early stage investors

• Achievements: Raised equity for expansion purposes and to buy out founder shareholders
• Reviewed retail operations and led change to improve efficiency
• Introduced a new revenue stream into the business through a JV food service arrangement
• Overcame severe cash flow problem, including negotiations to maintain bank support

• Asset management of three high yielding funds, comprising retail, offices and industrial premises with combined value in excess of £500m (YE2000 values)
• Added value by refurbishment, lettings, lease restructuring, rent reviews and improving tenant mix, with target of achieving top quartile performance
• Selected and managed external advisors to undertake professional work
• Legal negotiations for acquisition, disposal and all legal matters arising from tenancies
• Development of good landlord and tenant relations
• Liaison with internal property managers as necessary
• Achievements: Undertook all asset management functions to consistently beat internal targets
• Contributed asset management gains to deliver top quartile performance for funds and double figure returns for 4 consecutive years