Stefan Foster, Executive Chairman

Stefan Foster

Executive Chairman

Network Rail

Location
United Kingdom
Education
Master's degree, Engineering Member
Experience
34 years, 9 Months

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Work Experience

Total years of experience :34 years, 9 Months

Executive Chairman at Network Rail
  • United Kingdom
  • My current job since December 2012

Appointed by main shareholder to lead the Board & senior executives through the commercial planning, launch and spin out of the managed services division from the parent company's infrastructure business.

Notable Achievements;

• Pricing & 'Go To Market' Strategy with associated finance modelling completed allowing for a flexible approach to risk and deal closure
• Led the Implementation of a Commercially Driven Operational Restructuring Programme with senior management team with agreed, commercial performance targets set across all business functions
• Led Investment Review to determine cash requirements from parent company and options for medium term acquisitions & European expansion

Non Executive Investment Advisor at The North West Fund
  • United Kingdom - Manchester
  • My current job since October 2013

Appointed by main investor to act as advisor to parent company on energy, environment and infrastructure-related investments working closely with fund managers and applying wider business expertise to other sector funds.
Notable Achievements;
• Full business risk analysis completed for core fund including investment exposure
• Independently assessed fund manager for potential follow-on funding

Board Advisor - Operational & Investment Strategy at Project Power
  • Luxembourg
  • July 2012 to November 2012

Appointed by founding shareholders to advise and support senior management in their renewable energy power supply business operating in Europe and North Africa to increase its generating asset portfolio with a further £250m of capital funding.
Appointed to review the commercial options for revenue generation and the consequential operational requirements for a direct supply strategy

Notable Achievements;

• Developed Centralised Services Strategy & Integration Programme for the energy supply business to take it from an outsourced to a wholly owned insourced service.
• Recommended Investment Case for energy trading business unit within the context of cash risk exposure in wholesale markets

Managing Director at Renewable Energy Systems
  • United Kingdom - London
  • September 2010 to July 2012

Appointed by family holding company as main shareholder to turnaround and reposition the construction services and consulting engineer business unit as the commercial front end for all renewable energy related managed services serving B2B clients globally.

Notable Achievements;

• Increased revenues from £10m to £22m in 18 months through organic and acquisitive means
• Delivered first Profits In the company's history going from a £1m LOSS to £2m PROFIT during tenure
• Merged & Integrated two business Units into the subsidiary

Chief Executive Officer at Strategy House
  • United Kingdom
  • March 2009 to August 2010

Strategy House is an asset management business representing high net worth individuals and wealth funds investing in renewable energy and infrastructure related services in EMEA. The business was undergoing a period of strain as a result of uncontrolled costs and lack of strategic direction in terms of commercial focus.
Appointed on an interim basis to review, restructure and lead the business through a cost reduction and operational efficiency programme across all international territories.

Notable Achievements;

• Increased revenue from £50m to £75m through acquisitive means within 16 months
• Reduced total operating costs by 40% within 6 months
• Integrated two sister companies and centralised all overhead functions within 10 months
• Developed exit strategy options for major shareholder

Board Advisor - External Market Entry & Operational Strategy at RWE Consulting
  • United Kingdom - London
  • August 2008 to February 2009

RWE Consulting is the internal consulting division of RWE, the European utility, and delivers internal business improvement consulting throughout RWE's operations
Appointed to review and recommend tactical and commercial opportunities to operate in external markets and the relative strengths and weaknesses that would allow the business to grow within B2B markets throughout EMEA.

Notable Achievements;

• Completed market and operational strategy Review in 2 months
• Gained board approval for investment of £20m in the operational transformation programme

Group Executive Director & Managing Director at National Computing Centre
  • United Kingdom
  • July 2004 to December 2008

Appointed by industry shareholder group to lead all commercial activities through turnaround, restructuring and change programme moving on to develop and lead the longer term strategy for growth in new, premium markets.

Notable Achievements;
- Withdrew from obsolete services repositioning brand at the vanguard of data integration and interoperability
- Grew revenue from £30m to £60m in 3 years
- Delivered first profits in 5 years within first 24 months of tenure
- Expanded member profile into CXO level through the acquisition of CIO Connect
- Reduced overhead costs by £9m in 20 months through a central services strategy and efficiency programme

Subsidiary Managing Director at QinetiQ plc
  • United Kingdom - London
  • January 2003 to June 2004

Appointed as a result of their acquisition of SME Incubator to integrate it and two other business units, with their management consulting division.

Managing Director & Founder at SME Incubator
  • United Kingdom
  • March 2000 to January 2003

SME incubator provided investment and infrastructure related advisory services to corporate venture funds. Business was acquired by QinetiQ plc for £15m

Managing Partner at Speed Ventures
  • United Kingdom
  • January 1998 to March 2000

Private Equity business investing in businesses operating across Europe in a variety of sectors. Funds managed totalled US$250m

Management Consultant at Andersen Consulting
  • United Kingdom - London
  • August 1989 to December 1997

Andersen Consulting Management Consultant (Energy & Industrial Practices) 08/89 - 12/97

Education

Master's degree, Engineering Member
  • at Institution of Engineering & Technology
  • September 2005
Bachelor's degree, European Business Studies
  • at Brunel University
  • September 1988

Brunel University BA European Business Studies (Accounting & Finance Major) Fluent in French & Swedish

Bayt Tests

Business Plans Test
Score 88%

Specialties & Skills

Strategy Development
International Expansion
Business Operations Management
Strategic Leadership
Business Management
Strategy development & execution
Risk & financial management
Revenue growth & performance improvement
Change management
Cost reduction
Communication & negotiation
Renewable Energy
OPERATIONS
Private Equity
Civil Engineering
Strategy
Leadership

Languages

French
Expert
Swedish
Expert
English
Expert

Memberships

Institution of Engineering & Technology
  • Member
  • February 2002
Institute of Directors
  • Member
  • January 1998