central south mid market


GROWING


Central South Mid Market FD of the Year Jo Jeffers


Joe Jeffers, group chief financial officer at Peach Technologies, is a wearer of many hats.


His credentials as a banker, accountant and corporate finance specialist helped him steer last year’s acquisition of Taylor Made Computer Solutions, where he was CFO, by Peach Technologies, to a successful conclusion. Handling the deal was one of the factors that earned him the FD of the Year accolade.


Whiteley-based Peach Technologies’ strategy is to expand its telecoms and IT offering through acquisition. Taylor Made’s owners were looking to sell the business they had built up and when he joined the company in 2016 Jeffers was looking for his next career challenge. You could say he was tailor-made for the role.


Multi talented


His career began as a graduate trainee with Barclays working in London. After three years he moved to Chichester and made a career change into accountancy.


After qualifying, he joined the corporate finance division at Tenon, now RSM. He focused on pre-acquisition due diligence work for investor clients.


Next came a move to corporate finance experts Meridian before joining one of its clients, the private equity backed marine safety equipment company 3Si. That


Who’s seizing the opportunity?


The announcement of the two winners is the culmination of BDO’s annual campaign to promote the importance of the mid- market to the regional economy. BDO identifies the top performing mid-sized businesses and, in partnership with CMA


For more information contact Cheryl Martin on:


023 8088 1754 • cheryl.martin@bdo.co.uk bdo.co.uk/en-gb/the-central-south-mid-market


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – JULY/AUGUST 2019 businessmag.co.uk 15


business made five acquisitions in 14 months. It wasn’t long before Taylor Made beckoned. He joined with the specific task of helping owners Nigel and Aly Taylor turn around the business in preparation for a sale.


That came earlier than expected when Peach approached the company. Discussions began in February 2018 and the deal was done and dusted by August the same year.


“I work at a fast pace,” said Jeffers. “At 3Si we had a ‘buy and build’ approach that meant when acquisition opportunities presented themselves, if the board agreed to say ‘yes’ then we needed to move quickly. It was a baptism of fire for me as a new CFO and I learned a lot about deal transactions from an investors’ perspective rather than as an adviser, but also about managing cashflow and working capital in a leveraged environment.”


Taylor Made and Peach Technologies are a good fit. “From the get-go I knew it would work commercially and we got a good vibe from staff on both sides,” he said.


FD role evolves


Commenting on his award win, Jeffers said: “I was absolutely delighted to win. Being an FD is more than just sitting behind a desk. FDs today need broader skills than that of the traditional bean counter. You have to be dynamic in your approach and attitude.”


Recruitment Group, the individual finance directors who contribute to their success.


“Over the past 12 months, companies in the Central South have continued to achieve success against a backdrop of economic uncertainty. All our finalists typify the businesses that will be the bedrock


Richard Dibden, CMA Recruitment, with Jo Jeffers


He believes one of the secrets to being a good FD is to keep things simple. “Don’t over complicate, always try to be open and honest with your staff and customers,” he said.


Busy times ahead


As group CFO, Jeffers relishes being even busier. “We are currently doing about £20m in annual turnover with 160 staff. Our goal in the next three to four years is to get to £50m,” he said.


“Some growth will be organic growth but it will be mainly through acquisitions,” said Jeffers.”


Peach’s expansion will focus on its core IT managed services, telecoms and mobile services. “We’ll be launching a cyber security service later this year, as well as announcing a corporate rebrand.”


Busy indeed. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I embrace and enjoy change,” said Jeffers.


of the ‘new economy’ needed in the UK. Led by far-sighted individuals and strong management teams willing to take a risk by investing in new systems, processes and people and in some cases by disrupting the market,” said Malcolm Thixton, lead partner, BDO Southampton.


RESILIENT


SEIZING THE OPPORTUNITY


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60