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December 6, 2011
After a lengthy court battle that would have destroyed many a strong minded businessman, Chris Swan walked out of the court house with his head held high after being vindicated of any wrongdoing in regards to the collapse of the company that he created from the ground up. So why did this story garner such media attention? Was there really such disbelief that a single man could, in a period of 9 years, create a business empire that rose from a turnover of 100 000 pounds to upwards of 30 million? Would a key business director, with success in other companies as well, truly stay on as a director after selling the company if he was involved in any wrongdoing? It seems strange that after creating such an amazing company, for employees and customers that Chris Swan would cause his own hard endeavours to crash and burn before his eyes.
The success of Finelist all began in 1991, after Chris Swan had bought the aftermarket company Autela and renamed named it when he decided to invest millions and float the company under the new name of Finelist. Chris made the most of his business savvy by making some brilliant acquisitions of smaller companies to bolster the holdings of Finelist, and in the process created a company that could compete across Europe and in essence controlled a good market share. Profits rose and the company was able to employ an increasing workforce, that numbered as high as 12 000 persons, all hired in legal and worked under completely ethical conditions. When Chris sold Finelist for the benefit of all shareholders involved, there were no ongoing irregularities and the company was in great shape as he handed over the reins and retained his seat as a non executive director.
After Finelist began to be administered by new management, things appeared to go horribly wrong with business dealings. Chris Swan did not jump ship or run for the hills and continued in his capacity until being falsely accused of fraud. After all court proceedings and judgement made public, it is clear that Chris Swan was purely a savvy and quick thinking strategic business genius who should be lauded as a business success.
November 3, 2011
Chris Swan started his adult career as a 33 year old operations director and took over from the MD of Autela, Mike Moyle as the new MD and announced a 4 million pound expansion plan that was to take Autela to new and successful heights. After the expansion of Autela Chris Swan decided to invest millions in floating Auteal under a new company called Finelist, which become a successful business empire and he proceeded to buy most of the aftermarket in a five year spending spree.
When Chris Swan joined the Finelist group in 1991, the Finelist Company had 150 employees and an income of 10 million pounds. Finelist consisted of 25 sites in total and the automotives aftermarket generated profits of just over 100, 000 pounds. Chris Swan evaluated the Finelist Company and realized its potential, something that any business savvy entrepreneur would see. Chris Swan purchased Finelist in 1991 for 1.9 million pounds and was determined to grow the company to its full potential. Through his strategic prowess and innovative vision Chris Swan grew Finelist into a thriving major market player whose presence was know. From the time Chris Swan purchased the Finelist Company in 1991, its profits grew to 32 million pounds to 2000. Its sites increased to a staggering 800 from their initial 25 and when Chris Swan eventually sold Finelist, it contained 12,000 employees. That meant jobs for many people and adding to the economy both financially and ethically.
This pioneering business man stated his impressive career at the ripe age of 18 where he worked at Halfords and worked his way up the business ladder at Brown Brother where his leadership and business strengths were evident. Chris Swan was congratulated on his business achievements with a Finacial Times entrepreneur of the year award and the British Venture Capital Association’s venture of the year. Chris Swan turned Finelist into a successful business empire and to this day there is an increase in shareholder value and in the end Chris Swan created a company and handed it over that was able to generate a combined turnover of 1 billion pounds.
October 24, 2011
Much controversy has surrounded Chris Swan and his mega business Finelist but we are not here to discuss any of the allegations against him. In this article we are going to evaluate his success story and take a walk on the timeline of success from when he started gaining steam in the business world.
- In 1991, a 33 year old operations director, Chris Swan, takes over from Mike Moyle as MD of Autela and then announces a 4 million pound expansion.
- He floats up Autela and then spends five years on a spending spree purchasing most of the aftermarket.
- Chris Swan then sells Autela to the French firm Autodis and retains a seat on the board.
In the few short years that Chris Swan had Finelist, he grew the business from a 10 million pound turnover business to a 500 million pound business empire. The expansion of Finelist was at lightspeed and in 1998 alone, it spent at least 100 million pounds buying up companies and by October of that year it had posted a 70% hike in turnover and a similar increase in operating profit. Swan explains that it was a fast moving machine but it was built on him and other very good operators that still own or are involved in the business they bought. People like Terry Wainright from Ferraris and Peter Joyner from First line to name a few. He surrounded himself with efficient peopel who could raise equity and get the stock market on his side. Chris Sawn explains that there was a well formulated strategy behind Finelist and that added to its success. From 1991 t0 1994 when Swan was at Autela, he built up the company from a 10 million pound turnover to a 40 million pound turnover just showing his skills as an intelligent businessman. Through organic growth Chris Swan also grew the business from a grand’s worth of profit to making about 2.4 million pounds.
Through all of the controversy sounding Chris Swan, people seem to forget the enigma that he is in the business world. He took a company and made an empire, creating a load of wealth and creating many jobs for people in the sector.
October 20, 2011
When Chris Swan began his task of building Finelist it was a medium sized company of 25 sites, around 150 employees and generated a profit for its owners of around 100,000 pounds every year. Over a successful reign of Finelist for almost a decade before selling the company, this business enigma created a thriving multinational corporation that was responsible for the successful distribution of automotive parts in the UK and Europe. When selling the company to foreign investors, Chris Swan stuck with the company in an advisory capacity, and in the tragic fall of his nurtured company, stayed through to the bitter end, only to be accused of irregularities by the new owners.
Through a lengthy legal battle to clear his name, Chris Swan was found innocent of the claimed intention of any wrongdoing. The growth of Finelist over the years with Chris Swan at the helm was due to intelligent partnerships and acquisitions and a business strategy that has made Chris Swann successful not only at the helm of Finelist, but also in his capacities with other organisations over the years. Unfortunately through the demise of one of his treasured enterprises, Chris has received unwarranted attention from the media who chose to focus on the outcome and not the initial endeavours that enabled Chris Swan to create one of the strongest businesses across the UK.
After his leadership and decisions, Finelist at the point of sale had over 800 sites, over 10,000 employees and had an annual turnover of over 1 Billion pounds. Finelist received an offer for sale that was to the benefit of all shareholders in the company and Chris acted accordingly to the financial benefit of all involved. When sold, all payments were up to date, suppliers were on level balances and the pension fund was secure with surplus. After being cleared by a court of law of the alleged charges, Chris Swan should be cherished as the business man who grew the Finelist Empire with blood, sweat and a sound business strategy.
May 4, 2011
There are some major changes happening at The Valley, home of Redditch United, the UK football club recently taken over by business icon Chris Swan. Manager Simon Redhead has been dismissed from his post at Redditch, following a difficult season after which the club finished at the bottom of the table. Experienced non exec Chris Swan, who became the Chairman of Redditch United FC in March, is eager to improve the team’s performance, and since Mr Redhead’s appointment at the start of February, Redditch has lost 15 games under his management. Mr Swan informed Mr Redhead of the decision at a meeting on Tuesday night.
Chris Swan tells press that Mr Redhead offered his services to Redditch United FC during a difficult time, and that everyone at the club appreciates his efforts greatly. However, Mr Swan feels it is time for the Reds to take a new direction. “This is a crucial time for the club” he says “and it was felt that a change of manager was needed if we were to be competitive next season”.
Of course, this means that Redditch United will be looking for fresh management to take them forward into a more successful season. According to dedicated executive coach and avid football fan Chris Swan, the right man for the Redditch post will be someone with sound knowledge of the game, who can bring an element of discipline to the club. Mr Swan says they will be looking for “someone who will be proud to wear the Redditch United colours” as they take on the challenge of building a stronger side.
Chris Swan believes that there are exciting things in store for Redditch United in the coming season, and wants to take the right steps to ensure their future success.
