John H.

Professional background

I originally hail from an IT background, with experience in IT training, IT consultancy and project management. My IT career is too long and boring to go into here, but my most recent position was as a IT Project Manager, managing development projects within the finance department of one of the UK's largest banks.

I quit IT six years ago for a radical career change. I set up a brewery company (producing multiple award winning real ales), followed by a separate pub company running three leased pubs, and a shop (all profitable). I built the companies from nothing up to approaching £2m turnover with healthy profit margins. During my time at the brewery I set up deals to export beer (USA) and also got our products on to the shelves of Sainsbury's supermarket.

I sold these businesses last year, so I'm now looking to reinvest proceeds from their sale into new/early stage businesses in the UK.

Areas of Expertise

I have very rounded experience, and I think I have a lot to offer new start-up businesses:
*broad knowledge of IT, and the ability to understand complex projects
*project management experience (not looking to do this myself, but can offer advice!)
*experience of manufacturing, retail, customer service (through brewery/pubs)
*have taken products from conception through to getting them in supermarkets
*general experience of taking a business from scratch up to a good size.

I have an open mind to business in any sector, but must be in the UK. IMPORTANT: I would like to be involved in any business that I invest in (though not on a day-to-day basis), so would be looking for enough of a shareholding to make it worth my time/money. I'd be unlikely to invest in any business where I'd have less than ~20% holding.