Geoff Runcie

Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Aberdeen

Chief Executive

Responsible to the elected non-exec Board for the effective and efficient running of this entirely private sector funded £2m business organisation with assets valued at over £400k. With a staff team of 27 we supported our 1,250 paying members and their 90,000 private sector employees with a range of quality business products and services. We delivered a powerful lobbying service on their behalf to Government at both local and national level. We input and steered policy in strategic economic, transport and planning matters and ensuring that the business agenda was understood, supported and promoted.

Integrated Sensor Systems Ltd, East Kilbride

Director / shareholder

Completed a successful Angel investment and helped the company raise additional new working capital from institutional shareholders and SFLGS. Main responsibilities were for sales & marketing and commercial matters but included material procurement and production supervision and day-to-day management of this 7 man business. Sales were predominately export so finding Agents and setting up networking structures via OEMs was vital. We successfully negotiated the sale of the company to a major competitor and I was bought out as part of the transaction.

WallMaster Technologies Ltd., Hillington, Glasgow

Group Managing Director / minor shareholder

Total P&L and management responsibility for this diverse £16.5m turnover, 107 people, manufacturing and national distribution business, supplying to the housing refurbishment and new build market. The company was created from a number of smaller businesses including Snowcem and Eglinton Stone, who were designing and supplying External Wall Systems and Finishes and then latterly, following two recent acquisitions, servicing the Concrete Repair sector. The business included a £2m contracting company and operated from 11 sites throughout the U.K.

Major achievements included the total re-engineering of the business and the launch of WallMaster to the U.K. market. This project involved a full strategic planning review and included new I.T. Systems, manufacturing plant development, achieving ISO 9001, stocking and pricing policy, revamped product ranges, new organisational structure and overhauling the depot network. 20% overhead cost savings were achieved and loss was turned to break-even against a background of flat industry sales at the point when the company was prepared for sale then sold to a competitor.

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Glasgow

Chief Executive

Responsible to the non-executive Board of Management for the efficient running of this member owned £1m turnover, 26 people business. Total P&L responsibility, including overseeing the effective management of the Chamber’s extensive investment portfolio. This role also included a full strategic review and the development and implementation of a radical new business plan, which achieved a doubling of turnover and improved financial performance in 3 years. The Chamber also achieved ISO 9001 and IiP status and became the first Accredited British Chamber of Commerce in Scotland as part of the planned re-development of the business. This job had a high public profile demanding considerable media and political skill.

Biwater Valves, Kilmarnock, Scotland formerly Glenfield & Kennedy

Sales and Marketing Director

Responsible for achieving the profitable, budgeted order intake of £12m through direct and Agent sales. Staff of 18 and an operating budget of £500k, selling into 3 main territories including U.K., Middle East and Far East. A product range of over 5000 different items from £20 value to £140,000. Involved in the achievement of ISO 9001 and implementation of other quality related business processes. Significant inter-company trading demanded competitiveness and political skill.

Terex Equipment Ltd., Motherwell, Scotland

Product and Marketing Director

Managing the U.K. based worldwide marketing support activity and coordinating the company’s strategic planning and product development activity. Operating with 11 staff and a budget of £575k, key areas of responsibility included market research and analysis, technical application support, all technical manuals and parts books, sales literature, global Brand management, public and corporate relations, exhibitions and key supplier relations. The product range included 26 different models from £70,000 to £300,000 value.

General Marketing and Parts Manager

Managing the vital after-market Parts business worth £13m from the U.K. plant. This major profit generator included 13 dedicated parts staff, 25,000 line items and a stock value of £3.5m. All marketing operations and activity were also handled as set out below.

Marketing Manager

Developing a cohesive marketing strategy and function in support of worldwide sales of the company’s products. Co-ordination between U.S. and U.K. plants of all sales support activity and the development and launch of a new corporate identity. Staff team of 9.

Caterpillar Tractor Co. Inc., Peoria, Illinois, U.S.A.

Sales Consultant, Hauling Units Division

Assisting Dealers through training, product application advice and customer liaison to achieve budgeted sales of $25m per annum in the U.S. alone, following Caterpillar’s acquisition of DJB Engineering (see below).

Business Development Supervisor – D.J.B. Engineering Ltd., Peterlee, England

Creating sales support material, training and technical information for the £25m worldwide sales effort and inputting to technical and product development programmes.

Scotrac Equipment Sales Ltd., East Kilbride

Sales Director / minor shareholder

Achieving the sales order intake in the Scottish market for this Intertrac earthmoving equipment parts distributor. Direct selling to major contractors and plant hire companies and OEM users.

Stonefield Vehicles Ltd., Cumnock, Ayrshire

Marketing Services Manager

Delivering a sales and dealer support programme and media campaign to promote and develop sales in the UK and overseas. Remit included sales promotion to the military, media, fire and rescue services and OEM coachbuilders.

Caledonian Tractors Ltd., Glasgow

Product and Marketing Supervisor

Providing Sales, Technical Support and Training to the sales team on new and specialist products and applications.

^ Area Sales Representative < Junior Sales Rep. < Management Trainee

Personal Details

Outside Involvements

Business Mentoring young businesses through the Scottish Mentoring programme and I am a Member of the Trades House of Glasgow.

Industry and Business Training

Leadership Trust courses 1 & 2 including transactional analysis, Finance for business managers, Successful media campaigns, Organisational management methods, Total cost bidding, Negotiating skills, Advanced Selling Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Counselor Selling, Time and territory management plus numerous courses related to earthmoving equipment application and utilisation.

Computer competent in – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, Publisher, Mindjet, email and the Internet.

Education

1965 – 1971: Eastwood Senior Secondary School, Glasgow.

‘H’ level - English,Geography
‘O’ level - Math’s, Arithmetic, Physics, Chemistry, French.

Personal Details

I am a fit, healthy and energetic 57, a Scot, married and currently living in Aberdeen, Scotland. I also have a base in Ayrshire which gives me ready access to the central belt of Scotland and beyond through the 3 airports there.

I spend my little spare time with my family doing all sorts of things from culture to travel to DIY. I also enjoy outdoor activities including regular cycling, motor biking and some golf.

References

I would be happy to provide credible business and character references on request.