Malcolm Durham LLB, FCA, Chairman -

Malcolm spent six years at BDO Stoy Hayward, during which time he rose to Manager in the corporate finance team that was ranked second in the UK in flotations on the Unlisted Securities Market.

At the age of 27 he became Finance Director of Baldwin plc, a quoted conglomerate of six different businesses with a combined turnover of £30 million. From 1989 until its sale in 2008 he was chairman of Gordon Durham & Co Ltd, a family-owned construction company with turnover of £12 million, which is part of a partnership that was adjudged by Cranfield School of Management the most innovative business in the UK.

He established FD Solutions in 1991 and has particular expertise in the corporate finance aspects of an FD’s role. His experience is mainly in construction, software and all human capital businesses, from consultancy to coaching and mentoring.

Malcolm’s most significant achievements at FD Solutions include:

• Between 1991 and 1994, acting as FD for an IT services company that grew from £250,000 to £5m turnover in three years and a profitable sale. Malcolm’s analysis of the drivers of the business ensured that contracts were negotiated profitably at all stages.
• Over the same period he helped a specialist construction-focussed legal practise overcome the problems caused by recession in that industry and a lack of succession planning.
• In 1995 he negotiated a £1m investment in a new sign-making technology from a trade partner and then assisted in its corporate development.
• From 1998 to 2001 he helped to re-establish confidence in a VC-backed software company after it had spent its investment without assessing the consequences of its decisions.
• Between 1998 and 2004 he advised the trustees of a theatre which set out to raise £3m for its refurbishment and then had to cope with the effects of 9/11.