RICHARD HORWOOD
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT ROLES
ELECTRIC GUITAR PLC
The provider of first-party data solutions for the marketing and advertising industry
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
SMITH NEW COURT CORPORATE FINANCE
UK stockbroker corporate advisory department.
DIRECTOR AND HEAD OF M&A 1990 – 1993
HILL SAMUEL BANK CORPORATE FINANCE
UK investment bank corporate advisory department.
MANAGER 1985 – 1990
EDGE & ELLISON
Birmingham law firm.
SOLICITOR 1981 – 1984
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NON-EXECUTIVE ROLES
RETAIL HUMAN RESOURCES PLC (RHR)
Retail management recruitment consultancy.
CHAIR 2014 to date
Video campaigns for locally-focused marketing.
CHAIR 2014 to date
TV production, screen visuals and brand partnerships for live music events.
DIRECTOR 1997 – 2014
TONY ROMA’S, AMERICA, 23 ROMILLY ST, BYRON’S
Restaurants and bars.
CHAIR 1991 – 2003
BIRMINGHAM BUSINESS PARK PARTNERSHIP
147-acre business park.
DIRECTOR 1981 – 1987
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NON-PROFIT ROLES
ISLE OF DOGS NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING FORUM
Statutory neighbourhood planning.
CHAIR 2014 - 2020
PRINT MEDIA EXECUTIVE SUMMIT (Primex)
Annual American print production conference.
COMMITTEE MEMBER 2004
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL TV FESTIVAL
Annual TV conference.
COMMITTEE MEMBER 1999
FACTS
AIDS clinic and related services.
CHAIR 1988 – 2000
CBI’S EUROPEAN SINGLE MARKET INITIATIVE
Mergers, Acquisitions & Alternative Corporate Strategies.
AUTHOR 1988 – 1989
BRITISH OLYMPIC APPEAL, WEST MIDLANDS REGION
Charity fundraising for Team GB.
HON. SECRETARY 1981 – 1984