The Northbridge Team
Peter Harris, Non-Executive Chairman
Peter Harris, aged 56, qualified as a Chartered Accountant having studied at Sheffield University. After a number of years in the accountancy profession he joined Borden Inc., a multinational food packaging and industrial product Company, where he spent 13 years in a variety of senior financial roles.
In 1994 Peter was appointed as Finance Director of RAC plc (formerly Lex Service plc), a leading automotive services provider. In 1999 he became a Group Managing Director of RAC plc heading a number of businesses including Lex Transfleet, Lex Multipart, Lex Commercials, Lex Defence and RAC Software Solutions.
In April 2006, following the acquisition of RAC plc by Aviva plc, Peter was appointed Chief Executive of Dawson Holdings plc the media supply chain business. Peter, is also Chairman of Coworth-Flexlands School Ltd. He is a member of the Remuneration and Audit Committees of the Company.
Eric Hook, Chief Executive Officer
Eric Hook,aged 54, qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant (FCCA) in 1983 and spent many years in financial roles, culminating in his appointment as Finance Director of Harvey Plant Ltd, a subsidiary of Lex Service plc.
In 1994 Eric was appointed Chief Executive of Andrew Sykes Group plc, the listed support services Company where he led the turnaround of the loss making Group. Eric left Andrews Sykes in 1999 to lead the Longville Group, a Private Equity backed consolidation of three industrial hire businesses. He expanded Longville organically and by acquisition to gain a market leading position in pumps, fluid chillers and diesel generators.
Eric left Longville Group to establish Northbridge Industrial Services plc in 2003.
Michael Dodson, Non-Executive Director
Michael Dodson, aged 60, was appointed to the Board in 2006. He is a Fellow of the Institutions of Chemical and Electrical Engineers and a Chartered Engineer. He has a first class degree in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College, London Business School. He has held directorships in over twenty companies ranging from large enterprises to high-tech start ups. He is a member of the Remuneration and Audit Committees of the Company.
Ash Mehta, Finance Director (Designate)
Ash Mehta, aged 42, who is a qualified Chartered Accountant, joined the board as Finance Director from 1 April 2007. Since qualifying in 1992 with KPMG Ash has held a number of senior financial roles in full listed and AIM companies including Ultrasis plc and Raft International and has experience in IPO type fundraisings and acquisitions. More recently Ash has founded Orchard Growth Partners, a professional services firm offering flexible finance director services to SMEs.
Ash remains Chief Executive of Orchard Growth Partners. Ash also sits on the Executive Committee of the Quoted Companies Alliance (QCA).
Jim Gould, Non-Executive Director
Jim Gould, aged 73, founded the main subsidiary Crestchic Limited in 1983. As a qualified electrical engineer he has been at the forefront of developing the technology for testing and proving the performance of power plant. Since founding Crestchic, Jim has built the business into its world-leading position and continues to be its General Manager. Jim has also served as a local magistrate in Burton-on-Trent.
David Marshall, Non-Executive Director
David Marshall, aged 63, was appointed to the Board in 2006. He is Chairman of a number of public listed companies, including Western Selection PLC, which is a substantial shareholder of Northbridge Industrial Services plc. In recent years he has taken a leading role in the reorganisation and development of a number of medium-sized listed companies in the UK and overseas. He is a member of the Remuneration and Audit Committees of the Company.
Board Committees
The principal committees established by the directors are:
Audit Committee
This Committee is comprised of P R Harris, M G Dodson and is chaired by D C Marshall. The Finance Director and other executive directors may also attend meetings as appropriate to the business in hand but are not members of the Committee. The Committee meets at least twice a year and examines any matters relating to the financial affairs of the Group including the review of annual and interim results, internal control procedures and accounting practices. The Audit Committee meets with the auditors periodically and as necessary.
Remuneration Committee
This Committee is comprised of D C Marshall, PR Harris and is chaired by M G Dodson. Other executive directors may also attend meetings as appropriate to the business in hand but are not members of the Ccommittee.