KEY PEOPLE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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JAMES VAN DEN BERGH, INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIR
James currently serves as CEO of TruFin Plc (“TruFin”), an AIM-listed company, where he has created significant shareholder value through a clear strategic focus, profitable growth and disciplined capital allocation. These same principles will underpin his approach as Chair of XP Factory.
TruFin was spun out of Arrowgrass Capital Partners in 2018, with James appointed CEO in September 2019. Having begun his career at Merrill Lynch, James entered investment management in 2003 and later led Arrowgrass’s unlisted markets and alternative finance team. He brings deep relationships with both institutional investors and family offices.
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RICHARD ROSE, NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Richard has a wealth of experience chairing high profile boards. Previously he has been CEO of two multi-site quoted businesses where he significantly increased shareholder value. Since then he has held a number of Chairman roles including Booker Group plc (retiring in 2015 after three terms) and AO World plc where he retired in 2016. He has been Non-Executive Chairman of Watchstone Group plc since May 2015 is also Chairman of IB Group Ltd since October 2018. Richard is a member of the Remuneration Committee, the Audit Committee and the Nomination Committee of the Company.
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MARTIN SHUKER, NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Martin has had a long and distinguished career with Yum Brands, the US Fortune 500 Global hospitality business. He spent 24 years in a variety of leadership roles, most recently as Managing Director KFC Western Europe where he had full strategic, growth and operational responsibility over 1,700 restaurants and 165 franchisees which generated £2.3 billion in sales and £120 million of profit.
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As MD of KFC UK, he more than doubled sales to £1.3 billion and met or exceeded targets in 11 of 13 years.
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Martin has demonstrated his ability in consistently achieving growth and bottom-line performance of established owner-operated and franchise businesses over a long period of time and has relevant experience in entering new territories through franchise routes. He successfully opened new markets in a number of European countries and has demonstrated his ability to both manage an established franchise network as well as establishing new networks in new territories.
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Prior to YUM, Martin had a variety of marketing roles with United Biscuits.
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Martin is chairman of the Company’s Remuneration Committee.
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PHILIP SHEPHERD, NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Philip is a former partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers (“PwC”), where he originally trained in audit and tax, qualifying as an ACA in 1987.
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Following a career in corporate finance and transaction advisory services, Philip returned to PwC in 2004 working both in the UK and overseas, leading Strategy and Deals practices, with a particular focus on the hospitality and leisure sectors. Since leaving PwC in 2018, he has held a number of board and advisor roles, again with a focus on hospitality and leisure. He regularly travels abroad where he advises, and speaks, on the experiential leisure market and start up opportunities. Philip combines his experience in accounting and audit with deal evaluation and execution, and has a deep understanding of the hospitality and leisure markets both in the UK and globally.
Philip is chairman of the Company’s Audit Committee.
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RICHARD HARPHAM, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Richard joined the Company on its Admission to AIM after working since November 2016 with the xpfactory (formerly Escape Hunt) management team, getting to know the business. Richard’s prior role was with Harris + Hoole, having been Chief Financial Officer and then Managing Director, responsible for its turnaround.
Before this Richard spent over four years at Pret A Manger as Global Head of Strategy. Richard has also held a number of strategic and financial positions at companies including Constellation Brands, Shire Pharmaceuticals and Fujitsu Siemens Computers.
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GRAHAM BIRD, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Graham joined the Company on 6 January 2020 bringing significant experience in financial and City matters and in growing small businesses. He is a chartered accountant, having qualified with Deloitte in London, and has worked in advisory, investment, commercial and financial roles.
Prior to joining xpfactory, Graham was one of the founding employees at Gresham House plc where, in addition to supporting the growth of Gresham House plc, he was responsible for establishing and managing the successful strategic equity business unit which focuses on both quoted and unquoted equity investments using the principles and practices of private equity.
Prior to joining Gresham House, Graham spent six years in senior executive roles at PayPoint Plc, including director of strategic planning and corporate development and executive chairman and president of PayByPhone.
Before joining PayPoint plc, he was head of strategic investment at SVG Investment Managers, having previously been at JPMorgan Cazenove, where he served as a director in the corporate finance department.
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