Growthdeck, a private equity investment firm, has added Hugh Clark, a former Director of the Clarks shoes business, to its new advisory board.
Clark joins eight other new board members in being appointed to Growthdeck’s recently formed advisory board. The board has been launched to assist Growthdeck with the appraisal of investment opportunities and to help the firm’s investee businesses with their growth plans.
The board is made up of experienced business leaders who have had successful careers steering businesses to high levels of growth. The board members will offer guidance and support to the management teams of Growthdeck’s investee companies, often by taking non-executive directorships. In the short term, they will help investees to navigate the challenges which will arise as we continue moving out of the pandemic.
The nine newly announced board members join Chairman Douglas Jack, Equity Analyst at investment bank Peel Hunt, and Deputy Chairman Nick Basing, Executive Chairman of Ten Entertainment Group, the tenpin bowling centre operator, on the board.
Clark has previous experience of running businesses that have been backed by private equity houses including 3i and Piper, through his role as Managing Director of outdoor clothing business Rohan and as Chairman of Kirk & Kirk, the luxury eyewear business, one of Growthdeck’s investee companies.
Clark also has experience in providing support to growing businesses through his role as Chairman of the Institute for Family Businesses.
Also joining the advisory board are:
Meg Lustman, former CEO of Hobbs London, the luxury fashion brand, and Buying Director of Fashion at John Lewis. Meg is currently an independent mentor and consultant and is Senior Advisor at Keyhaven Capital Partners, a London-based PE firm
Greg Tufnell, former CEO of Mothercare Plc, MD at Arcadia and Director of Next. Greg is now Founder and Managing Partner of Prime Advantage Capital Partners, a corporate finance advisory firm
Adam Bellamy, currently Senior Independent Director at Ten Entertainment Group and a Non-Executive Director at café and bar operator Loungers. A qualified accountant, Adam has previously been the CFO of a number of private equity backed businesses, including PureGym, where he completed two successful sales to private equity buyers
Fraser Allan, former CEO of luxury retailers SpaceNK and LINLEY and former Finance Director of Laura Ashley and The Burton Group. Fraser is currently Executive Chairman of Your Favourite Teacher, a Growthdeck investee company
Richard Bull, Vice President UK & Ireland of Capgemini, the professional services firm. Richard is also a former Director at BAE Systems Applied Intelligence and Fujitsu, the IT services provider
Arnaud Flecchia, Founder and former MD of Locken, the wireless security provider. Arnaud is also co-founder of the UK Essec Business Angels Club, which provides funding opportunities for start-ups in the UK market
Iain Bishop, former Chief Technology Officer at technology and software businesses Allocate Software and Kewill. Ian has a successful track record of working with private equity and venture capital to build and transform businesses to high levels of growth
Mike Molesworth, former CEO of vehicle manufacturer Dennis Eagle, where he led a management buyout in 2004. Mike is now Chair and Non-Executive Director at a range of businesses, including Egbert Taylor, the waste management solutions company
Gary Robins, Head of Business Development at Growthdeck, says: “Having Hugh Clark join our new advisory board is a real coup, especially for investee businesses in retail and related sectors.”
“The board will give Growthdeck-backed companies access to leaders with experience of growing businesses across a wide variety of sectors – from retail and leisure to technology and financial services.”
“I have no doubt that each of them will be able to provide our investee companies with invaluable insight into how they can best navigate the challenges of running a fast-growth business.”
Clark comments: “I am delighted to have joined the Growthdeck advisory board. Growthdeck backs some very exciting growth ventures and I look forward to helping other founders with their plans in the same way that I am contributing at Kirk & Kirk.”
