Meet the Team:
Martin Watson John E. Cutler
Managing Director Chief Executive Officer
Martin WatsonMartin
has vast knowledge of the SME sector having worked in it for over 25 years.
Having qualified as a Chartered Accountant, Martin became a Partner in a top 20
practice specialising in the SME sector, dealing with providing the full range
of services covering start up situations to companies with turnover up to
£100m. Whilst in practice he dealt with a whole range of industries and
sectors.
Having
been involved with a number of businesses in a Non Executive Director role
whilst in practice, he left public practice in 2000 and was involved in the
acquisition of a transport and logistics company and became Managing Director.
After successfully growing the business, he left the business following a
Management Buyout in 2005. He has been involved with a number of businesses
since in Director/ Shareholder positions, acting as a Non Executive Director,
and providing wide ranging advice to the SME sector.
Martin
has a passion for providing SME businesses with the entrepreneurial, pro-active
advice they require to successfully grow, and enjoys bringing an independent
viewpoint to an organisation. His experience covers the whole range of skills
an SME requires, including being very strong in relation to all financial
matters, and having hands on experience in sales and marketing, strategic,
project management, HR, legal documentation, and a very commercial viewpoint at
all times.
martin.watson@inspiredbv.co.uk
John E. Cutler
A serial entrepreneur having acquired a taste for business
in my late teens when I took employment in a nationalised business operating in
the transport and logistics sector, before moving into the private sector where
within 3 years I was appointed to the Board of The Hammond Transport Group Plc
and acquired a shareholding.
I drove an aggressive acquisition strategy before leading
the buy-out element of a BIMBO backed by a number of Venture Capitalists
including 3i. I subsequently appointed CEO of the Group, being tasked with
ensuring a successful turnaround strategy was developed and implemented to
return the Group to substantial profitability following heavy gearing of the
original business. The successful restructuring and rebranding of the Group,
led to the acquisition of a large competitor doubling the Group’s size, before
going on to implement leading edge MIS development in house, to support entry
into new sectors, and targeted contractual wins. This delivered a growth in
turnover in excess of 450% over a period of 6 years, with annual profits
reaching £1.3m, before selling the Group at a healthy return for shareholders.
Since then I have advised and injected Seed Capital into several
businesses in the SME sector and where appropriate accepted Non Executive
Directorships including the exciting Rewarding Visits Data Platform for
Retailers. In addition I have also provided Specialist Consultancy Services to
the Public Sector and am proud to have served as Chairman of Sutton Coldfield
Town Centre BID.
In 2009 I started up in partnership with my eldest Son in
the Funeral Sector, this business was rapidly expanded and we sold it on in
2013 to one of the UK’s largest funeral companies. Since 2014 I have been in
partnership with my other Son again in the Funeral Sector having started up
George John Funeral Directors based in Solihull providing quality funerals at
realistic prices across the Midlands.
I continue to be passionate about helping SMEs.
john.cutler@inspiredbv.co.uk