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RICHARD HORWOOD

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EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT ROLES

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ELECTRIC GUITAR PLC
An AIM-listed special purpose acquisition company
DIRECTOR     2023 – Present

 

BLINK TV 

TV production, screen visuals and brand partnerships for live music events. 

CHAIR   2015 – 2017   

  • Reduced overheads by a third (£½m) on £4m sales.

  • Restructured and recapitalised.

  • Brought to profit, eliminating £¾m annual losses.

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CHANNEL 6 

Bidder for National and London Public Service Broadcaster TV franchises. 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE   2010 – 2014

  • Formed consortium of Sony Pictures Television, three newspaper groups, and a top management team.

  • 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

  • Changed strategy, management and business model.

  • Refocused on core activities and returned to profit.

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VIO/ADSEND 

Print advertising digital supply chain software and telecoms management services.  

CHAIR   2001 – 2007

  • Rescued after closure announced by BT and Scitex. Grew to £4m sales.

  • Changed strategy, management and business model.

  • Secured £5m private equity investment.

  • Relocated to New York for 2 years to re-launch US business; negotiated white label deal with France Telecom.

  • Negotiated acquisition of 2 more businesses (US and UK).

 

CITIZEN 

New media consultancy.  

CHIEF EXECUTIVE   2000 – 2001

  • Partnered with ex-CEO of Mirror Group.

  • 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

  • Created, ran and brought to profit a £20m TV division with 300 staff in this FTSE 250 newspaper group.

  • 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.

  • 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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THE LOCAL DIGITAL COMPANY 

Video campaigns for locally-focused marketing.   

CHAIR   2014 to date

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BLINK TV 

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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Roles: About

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©2025, RICHARD HORWOOD

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