Gavin Manson | Official Profile on The Marque

Gavin Manson’s Biography

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Gavin Manson has spent his career in finance leadership roles implementing strategic change and turnaround in businesses across sectors. He is currently Chief Financial and Operating Officer of Electra Private Equity PLC where, under his leadership, shareholder value has grown from £1bn to £2bn.

Electra is an investment company with a portfolio of corporate investments that until recently included the restaurant brand, TGI Fridays, now part of listed company Hostmore plc. Gavin was responsible for the delivery of the TGI Fridays turnaround strategy and the development and subsequent demerger of Hostmore, creating a well-capitalised and well led group that will generate significant shareholder value going forward.

Following the demerger of Hostmore in November 2021, Hotter Shoes is Electra’s only remaining corporate investment.

A highly respected finance professional, Gavin was previously CFO of Thomas Cook Group’s £7bn revenue tour operator division, after joining in 2013 to help develop and implement the Group’s recapitalisation and turnaround plan. Before this, Gavin was Finance... Gavin Manson has spent his career in finance leadership roles implementing strategic change and turnaround in businesses across sectors. He is currently Chief Financial and Operating Officer of Electra Private Equity PLC where, under his leadership, shareholder value has grown from £1bn to £2bn.

Electra is an investment company with a portfolio of corporate investments that until recently included the restaurant brand, TGI Fridays, now part of listed company Hostmore plc. Gavin was responsible for the delivery of the TGI Fridays turnaround strategy and the development and subsequent demerger of Hostmore, creating a well-capitalised and well led group that will generate significant shareholder value going forward.

Following the demerger of Hostmore in November 2021, Hotter Shoes is Electra’s only remaining corporate investment.

A highly respected finance professional, Gavin was previously CFO of Thomas Cook Group’s £7bn revenue tour operator division, after joining in 2013 to help develop and implement the Group’s recapitalisation and turnaround plan. Before this, Gavin was Finance Director of Premier Farnell PLC, where he had global P&L responsibility whilst delivering digital strategic change across operations in Europe, US and APAC.

During his tenure at Merck KGaA, Gavin served in leadership positions in the UK whilst also leading wider group projects. He led Merck’s Consumer Healthcare division in the UK and Ireland as Finance Director and managed the integration of the group’s four operating divisions across the UK and Ireland. This followed his success as Finance Director of OTC medicines manufacturer, Seven Seas.

Gavin started his career at KPMG, as a Chartered Accountant, after graduating from The University of Edinburgh with a BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering. He is a keen supporter of Scottish Rugby and of The Royal Opera House. moreless

Gavin Manson’s Newsfeed

Edison Investment Research

Hostmore formed to provide a platform for the development of hospitality brands

The strategic transformation of the iconic Fridays brand operations in the UK provides Hostmore with not only the prospect of strong earnings generation but the model for future investments on the Hostmore platform.

Gavin Manson’s Background

Electra Private Equity PLC

Chief Financial & Operating Officer

Aug 2016 - Present

London, UK

Electra Private Equity PLC is an LSE listed investment trust that focuses on private equity investments.

Thomas Cook Group

Finance Director | Tour Operations, Hotels & Resorts Division

Mar 2013 - Jul 2016

London, UK

Gavin was Group Head of Financial Reporting until 2014 when he became Finance Director for Thomas Cook's £7bn tour operations, hotels & resorts division globally. He led operational and cultural change, and delivered improved profitability despite challenging trading conditions.

Premier Farnell

Finance Director

Jun 2008 - Jun 2013

London, UK

Premier Farnell is a global leader in the distribution of technology products and offers solutions for electronic system design, production, maintenance and repairs.

Merck KGaA

Managing Director | Merck Services UK Ltd

Jun 2006 - Jun 2008

London, UK

Following his success as FD of Merck’s Consumer Healthcare Division, Gavin went on to establish a shared service centre for Merck's UK&I operations across Consumer Healthcare, Ethical Pharma and Chemical divisions. Due to the success of this project it was used as a template for Merck’s global strategy.

Seven Seas Ltd

Finance Director

Jan 2004 - Jun 2006

Kingston upon Hull, UK

Gavin joined Merck as Finance Director of Seven Seas, at the time one of Merck’s consumer health products. After successfully integrating Lambert Healthcare into the business, his remit as FD grew to include all of Merck’s Consumer Healthcare Division.

The Drambuie Liqueur Co Ltd

Finance Director, Glenvarigill Co Ltd.

Apr 1999 - Dec 2003

Edinburgh, UK

The Drambuie Liqueur Co Ltd is a premium spirit brand with offices in Scotland, London, Miami and Sydney. The products are distributed through major international names including, Bacardi, Pernod Ricard & LVMH.

Lees of Scotland

Director

Sep 1992 - Apr 1999

Coatbridge, UK

Lees of Scotland is a manufacturer of branded confectionery and meringues based in Coatbridge, outside of Glasgow. The company was founded in 1931 and expanded its portfolio of products extensively over the years.

KPMG

Chartered Accountant

Sep 1989 - Sep 1992

Edinburgh, UK

KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing audit, tax and advisory services. The firm is one of the four largest professional service networks in the world.

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Current Board Positions

Hostmore plc

Non-Executive Director

Apr 2021 - Present

Hostmore is a hospitability business that includes the Fridays and 63rd+1st restaurant brands. In November 2021 the company was admitted to the London Stock Exchange.

Hotter Shoes

Chairman & Non Executive Director

Skelmersdale, UK

Hotter Shoes is the largest footwear manufacturer in the United Kingdom. The company sells over a million pairs of shoes a year and have been manufacturing specialist footwear that combines both style and comfort since 1959.

Previous Board Positions

Fridays

Chairman & Non-Executive Director

Nov 2019 - Nov 2021

The UK franchise of a leading restaurant chain offering American food and beverages with an atmosphere that captures the spirit of Fridays.

Sentinel Performance Solutions

Non Executive Director

Jul 2019 - Apr 2021

Warrington, UK

Sentinel is an innovative UK manufacturer of water treatment products and services designed to improve the performance of residential heating and hot water systems.

Philanthropy

The Royal Opera House

Supporting Friend

London, UK

The Royal Opera House is a major performing arts venue in central London. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.

National Trust for Scotland

Supporter

National Trust for Scotland is a conservation charity dedicated to protecting Scotland’s cultural, natural and built heritage, and supported by more than 365,000 members.

Gavin Manson’s Education

The University of Edinburgh

Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Civil Engineering

1984 - 1989