Ian Leaman is a chartered accountant with extensive experience in CFO roles, corporate finance, and strategic advisory across international markets. He has successfully executed over 45 transactions, raised significant funds, and built trusted relationships with stakeholders while developing corporate growth plans. Leaman's career highlights include leading financial teams, advising SMEs, serving in non-executive roles, and contributing to professional bodies in the finance sector.

1. Ian Leaman BA FCA CF FRGS
§ +44 (0)7775 531 156 / ian.leaman@gmail.com
A high achieving chartered accountant with extensive international CFO, commercial, advisory and NED
experience. Delivers value enhancement and crystallisation together with strategic perspective.
“……contributing sound commercial insights with good judgement. He has depth of experience and is an
active participator in matters of strategic debate, as well as operational effectiveness. He has good
people skills, providing support and constructive feedback as and when necessary.”
KEY STRENGTHS:
§ Executing value-building strategies: As an international operational and strategic CFO and as
stakeholder counsel
§ Operating at CFO, Trusted Advisor, Executive & Non Exec Director levels
§ Deep experience in international and domestic corporate finance, M&A, fund raising, reporting,
governance, risk management and restructuring both in Quoted and Private Equity businesses
§ Advising, empathising & building trusted relationships with and influencing investors, entrepreneurs
and boards
§ Initiating transactions through creative ideas and connecting people
§ Strong commercial instinct supporting analytical incisiveness
§ Developing and maintaining extensive business and professional relationships
DELIVERABLES INCLUDE:
§ A pragmatic, forthright and effective style
§ Offering clear insights, analysis and perspective
§ Articulating, presenting and speaking persuasively
§ Developing and executing operational and strategic corporate growth plans
§ Creating trust and confidence with investors, boards, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders
§ Devising and recommending creative results-focused solutions
§ Applying human psychology to gaining agreements and solving problems
§ Leading and coordinating teams of professionals
VALUE ENHANCEMENT & REALISATION:
§ Led 45 transactions, including acquisitions, disposals and equity & debt fundraisings: Anticipating
risks and solving problems to maximise the probability of transactions completing
§ Raised >£40m on London Stock Exchange from blue-chip investors and $15m bank facility to fund
buy-and-build strategy
§ Led the development of an international finance team and infrastructure
§ Led multiple value-adding post-acquisition integration processes
§ Established start-up business with two partners. Built-up a well-known & respected business,
advising SME’s on domestic and international corporate finance
§ Completed a £65m contested acquisition of LSE quoted engineering group. Led the post- acquisition
integration team. Restructured operating Boards, saving c £1m
§ Undertaken numerous pre-investment due diligence appraisals, such as $70m technology-based oil
& gas drilling equipment business, acquired in conjunction with fundraising
§ Led and coordinated teams of highly qualified & specialised professionals in many transactions
Examples:
· Platform Cross-Border Acquisitions and Fundraising: Led the acquisitions of 3 US technology
and manufacturing businesses for $70m, with associated £42m equity fundraising by way of
reverse takeover on AIM market; ran due the diligence, funding and negotiations
· Arranged maiden Revolving Credit Facility: Led the pitch, selection and document negotiation
for a multi-function facility with HSBC; negotiated highly competitive and flexible terms
· Created global financial infrastructure: Led finance as part of executive Board of 3. Recruited
into key roles, established governance, record-to-report and KPI disciplines for multi-site,
matrix-management global technology & engineering businesses
International Metals Trader: The management of a £50m turnover UK industrial business
wished to buy-out a passive investor based in the US as there had been a breakdown in
relations. Worked with both parties to re-establish credibility and trust. Negotiated an MBO
structured using the company's assets.

2. ·
·
Sale of Marketing Services Agency: This highly profitable business had one customer
accounting for more than 50% of turnover. Engaged by ISIS Private Equity to effect a sale of this
£20m business. Sounded out the strongest potential purchasers and engaged their CEOs.
Generated competitive interest and established a keen prospective buyer. Worked closely with
the purchaser to build confidence in the security of the customer relationship and close the
deal
Sale of PR Agency: The founder of this young, fast growing, PR agency had a minimum and high
sale value target. Nurtured interest from an AIM-listed buyer who was unwilling to pay the
vendor’s price. Tenacious negotiation and persuasion led to closing at the vendor’s target price
CFO ROLES:
· CFO of AIM quoted buy & build vehicle: Delivering acquisitions and establishing financial
reporting and control systems from scratch; managing integration plans; margin identification
& improvement in manufacturing businesses; developed new business models (eg rentals)
· CFO of a quoted construction business - turnover £35m. Implemented project costing systems
enabling improved and faster project profitability estimations.
o Shortened decision timescales and reduced risks of cost over-runs
· Member of team that coordinated a multi-bank restructuring leading to full repayment to the
lenders and completed exit for shareholders
· As interim CFO of £25m turnover motor dealership group, led six-strong finance team,
identified KPI’s and instigated daily and weekly financial and trading dashboard for the CEO.
o Improved focus on margins, leading to greater profitability
NON-EXECUTIVE ROLES:
· NED of Full List LSE quoted fund with £7m of investments in solar power generating assets.
Chair of the Audit Committee
· Acted as non-executive CFO of software business, monitoring the trading and financial
performance with the Chairman
· Acted as interim CEO for a clothing manufacturer for a 6-month period, ensuring business
continuity and recruiting a replacement permanent CEO
WORK WITH PROFESSIONAL BODIES:
· Board member and until recently Vice-Chair of a not-for-profit centre of excellence in
corporate finance – 6k members globally
· Increased membership by 25%, improved services and launched award-winning magazine
· Developed strategy and monitored executive delivery, providing tactical and commercial input
· Launched first successful international Corporate Finance qualification (designated CF)
CAREER TO DATE:
Enteq Upstream plc CFO
Oct 2011 – Dec 2013
Octopus VCT3 PLC Non-executive Director
2011 - present
Buckingham Corporate Finance Ltd Owner/ Founder Director
2001 - 2011
ICAEW Corporate Finance Faculty Board Member, Vice-Chairman (2007-2012)
1995 - present
Blick Rothenberg, Chartered Accountants Partner
1998 - 2001
Invex Corporate Finance Ltd Director
1994 - 1998
Clive Sutton Group Ltd Interim CFO
1993 - 1994
Markheath PLC Corporate Development Manager / CFO (Markheath Construction)
1988 - 1993
Singer & Friedlander Ltd Corporate Finance Executive
1987 - 1988
Deloitte (Touche Ross & Co) Chartered Accountant
1983 - 1987
EDUCATION:
ICAEW – FCA, CF
University of Manchester - BA (Hons)
PERSONAL INTERESTS:
Running to keep fit; Scuba diver; Water sports (recent successful return to waterskiing); RYA Dinghy sailor;
supporting Royal Geographical Society expeditions; Ducati rider