Stephen Hyde
Non Executive Director
I have 40 years experience of working as an executive and director in both large and small businesses – ranging from Tesco to a technology start-up. What I have to offer is counsel and advice based upon familiarity with management of a wide range of situations and circumstances.
At Tesco from 1987 to 2000 I was one level below main board, heading one half and then the other half of the finance department. I then set up the Investor Relations function and was finally International Finance Director for five years as Tesco expanded into central Europe and South-East Asia.
I worked and held equity in a technology start-up which ultimately we took into administration.
In 2005-2007 I was Finance Director of Nord Anglia Education plc, a listed company, brought in when the business was in serious distress. I renegotiated the banking facilities, managed a head-office relocation and the sale of an under-performing division – all through a period of severe cash shortage.
I then became Operations and Finance Director of Emma Bridgewater, the pottery manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer. During my three years I implemented the adoption of more “professional” business management processes and through this doubled the turnover and tripled profits.
From 2013 to 2018 I have been Professor in Management Practice at the University of Bedfordshire Business School on a part-time basis, working to give students exposure and knowledge of the “real” business world to complement their studies and thus to improve their employability.
Since 2009, I have been a non-executive director of Haynes Bros Ltd, a £75m T/O car, truck and agricultural dealer and in recent years I have provided consulting services to a medals and regalia manufacturer, a cake retailer and an aerospace fasteners distributor.
It is this breadth of knowledge in conjunction with general business common sense which means that I can add value to company boards.
