RICHARD HORWOOD
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EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT ROLES
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ELECTRIC GUITAR PLC
An AIM-listed special purpose acquisition company
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER 2023 – Present
TV production, screen visuals and brand partnerships for live music events.
CHAIR 2015 – 2017
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Reduced overheads by a third (£½m) on £4m sales.
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Restructured and recapitalised.
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Brought to profit, eliminating £¾m annual losses.
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Bidder for National and London Public Service Broadcaster TV franchises.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE 2010 – 2014
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Formed consortium of Sony Pictures Television, three newspaper groups, and a top management team.
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Advised Government and led high profile bids.
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JAKE
30,000-strong professional social network, operating on- and off-line.
CHAIR 2008 – 2010
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Changed strategy, management and business model.
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Refocused on core activities and returned to profit.
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Print advertising digital supply chain software and telecoms management services.
CHAIR 2001 – 2007
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Rescued after closure announced by BT and Scitex. Grew to £4m sales.
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Changed strategy, management and business model.
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Secured £5m private equity investment.
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Relocated to New York for 2 years to re-launch US business; negotiated white label deal with France Telecom.
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Negotiated acquisition of 2 more businesses (US and UK).
New media consultancy.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE 2000 – 2001
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Partnered with ex-CEO of Mirror Group.
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Interim COO of internet portal business for Punch Taverns.
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MIRROR GROUP PLC – TV DIVISION
National cable TV network with affiliated local stations.
MANAGING DIRECTOR 1993 – 1999
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Created, ran and brought to profit a £20m TV division with 300 staff in this FTSE 250 newspaper group.
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Comprised a nationally broadcast TV channel, a network of local stations, an ad sales division, an independent production company, and a premium rate call handling operation.
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Negotiated unique 10-year cable carriage contracts, enforced in the Courts and against the Regulator.
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PROFESSIONAL /ADVISORY ROLES
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SMITH NEW COURT CORPORATE FINANCE
UK stockbroker corporate advisory department.
DIRECTOR AND HEAD OF M&A 1990 – 1993
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HILL SAMUEL BANK CORPORATE FINANCE
UK investment bank corporate advisory department.
MANAGER 1985 – 1990
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EDGE & ELLISON
Birmingham law firm.
SOLICITOR 1981 – 1984
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NON-EXECUTIVE ROLES
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RETAIL HUMAN RESOURCES PLC (RHR)
Retail management recruitment consultancy.
CHAIR 2014 to 2024
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Video campaigns for locally-focused marketing.
CHAIR 2014 to date
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TV production, screen visuals and brand partnerships for live music events.
DIRECTOR 1997 – 2014
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TONY ROMA’S, AMERICA, 23 ROMILLY ST, BYRON’S
Restaurants and bars.
CHAIR 1991 – 2003
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BIRMINGHAM BUSINESS PARK PARTNERSHIP
147-acre business park.
DIRECTOR 1981 – 1987
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NON-PROFIT ROLES
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ISLE OF DOGS NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING FORUM
Statutory neighbourhood planning.
CHAIR 2014 - 2020
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PRINT MEDIA EXECUTIVE SUMMIT (Primex)
Annual American print production conference.
COMMITTEE MEMBER 2004
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EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL TV FESTIVAL
Annual TV conference.
COMMITTEE MEMBER 1999
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FACTS
AIDS clinic and related services.
CHAIR 1988 – 2000
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CBI’S EUROPEAN SINGLE MARKET INITIATIVE
Mergers, Acquisitions & Alternative Corporate Strategies.
AUTHOR 1988 – 1989
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BRITISH OLYMPIC APPEAL, WEST MIDLANDS REGION
Charity fundraising for Team GB.
HON. SECRETARY 1981 – 1984
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