Ali’s passion and focus at work is helping start-ups and early stage businesses, particularly in the technology and related services sector, to achieve their full potential.
65% of new businesses fail with the first 12-18 months from their inception. With meticulous planning, structuring, systems and MI – the “Road Map”, businesses can substantially increase their chances of obtaining finance, acquiring and retaining key resources and following a path to planned sustainable growth. Having worked with a proven network of international advisors Ali has helped a number of businesses establish and grow in the UK, USA and Far East.
Professionally Qualified
Ali trained and qualified as an accountant with BDO London and is a member of ICAEW. The five years that he spent with BDO were primarily in audit focusing on SMEs in various sectors but also a number of listed clients where in addition to annual audits Ali was involved in the advisory services that were provided in support of M&A and Equity Raising Activity.
Multi-National Experience
From 1991 to 2001 gained invaluable experience working with multinational businesses in both the UK and USA (BAE Systems, Time Warner and Cable & Wireless). The roles undertaken in these companies varied from corporate reporting to running the finance functions for various trading subsidiaries involved in Music, West End Theatre Productions, International Finance and Telecoms Services.
SME Manufacturing Company
In 2001 Ali joined Swan Mill Paper Company as the Group FD. The company was a long established unionised UK manufacturer of disposal tableware, gift-wrap and greeting stationery and Christmas crackers. The role covered the traditional aspects of Finance, as well as HR and IT and negotiating annual wage settlements with the UNITE union for the 200+ staff employed in the UK.
With the ambitious, recently installed MD Ali spent 8 years helping to modernise and improve the efficiency of the business. The highlights of improvements that were made to the business were, implementation of an ERP system, rationalisation of the Group’s final salary pension scheme, substantial investment in the modernisation and expansion of production plant and facilities, establishment of a Far East procurement subsidiary, acquisition of strategic businesses to help secure and grow the business
Technology Experience
Since 2009 Ali has been involved in businesses focused mainly of technology and related services. Initially as a Partner and CFO of a technology focused PE business and latterly as a founder and investor in a number of technology start-ups.
Ali had been involved in numerous transactions covering, start-ups, an MBO, numerous funding rounds (including both debt and equity funding) and the establishment of US businesses.
Personal
Apart from family commitments (which account for most of his spare time) Ali is a keen cook and enjoys participating in and watching various sports.
