Stephen Taylor

Venture Corporate Finance is a corporate finance advisory business helping IT and Telecommunications shareholders grow their business through acquisitions and business owners exit with a clear and transparent process.

Evolution Capital is a leading mid-market corporate finance boutique with a difference: we are experts at unlocking hidden value. Specialising in the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) market, we have been delivering enviable results for our clients for decades.

I was appointed to this position following the sale of Studor Group to the global manufacturer and distributor Aliaxis in 2017. My remit was to integrate Studor’s operations / systems into Aliaxis companies across Europe. S

I have been fortunate to gain experience with strategic planning and providing full-cycle project management; I cultivated and developed long-lasting and profitable / effective relationships with many groups and gained valuable international experience. This was a Senior Leadership position within a global business, providing high-quality drainage ventilation solutions for commercial and residential buildings. As the MD I provided the strategic vision for financial and operational management; driving a distribution network of over 50 countries with offices in Hove, Dubai, Sydney and Douglas IOM and Swedish/ Belgium shareholders as well as subcontracted factories in USA and Malaysia. I developed a global network and maintained robust and profitable relationships across multiple areas, including Suppliers, Customers, staff, legal, auditors, academic institutions and shareholders. Studor had 12 staff worldwide for which I set performance criteria and managed, with 4 Directors (incl 1 NED.) I focussed on leading, delegating and most importantly empowering. As MD I provided strategic direction and managed R&D and introduction to new markets. I provided management of cash flow, planning, monitoring and reporting and especially management of non-cash working capital. I provided cohesive customer management and had ownership of P&L & the Balance Sheet.

Additionally, I provided financial advice, guidance and management on a day-to-day basis across the company, including planning, forecasting and performance monitoring across all areas. I was a `central hub` or focal point for all management queries/issues related to finance. Additional, specific achievements included:  Minimised risks through enhanced P&L control; utilising available data and trends analysis/forecasting.  Strategically managed key accounts, including: Chinese, Swedish, and Thai distributors (total €550K turnover).  Drove forward effective financial control processes and providing insightful financial planning and value oriented support across the business.  Managed a team of 12 worldwide, including 4 Directors and a NED; motivating and leading well as empowering all teams to succeed.  Controlled a multi-million budget.  Built strong relationships with universities within the R&D of new products, then taking these products to multiple markets including the UK, China and Columbia  Arranged and managed the sale of the business; organising the sale of US operations to the IPS Corporation and overseeing the sale of the remaining assets and IP to the Aliaxis Group.  Maximised EBITDA in the period leading up to the sale as well as manging all due diligence throughout the successful sale of the business liaising with lawyers, IP, auditors as well overseeing insurance aspects.

Focused financial operations (team of 5) including: analysis, cash-flow forecasting, month end management accounts preparation, monitoring, business tracking and negotiations with suppliers. Played instrumental role in attainment of challenging financial objectives by providing senior leaders with counsel and support on big picture planning as well as decision-making. Oversaw all legal financial returns, encompassing VAT, Corporation Tax, and Payroll. Following an internal restructuring I was appointed as Director of Studor

Management Accounting Cash flow management Negotiated financing facilities with banks and other lenders Bookkeeping duties

Liaised with banks and lenders to finance group assets (£200M) Reported and advised shareholders Developed long term strategies for the funding of the business.