Chris Nichols

I am not a local East Yorkshireman having been born in Zimbabwe and worked the first 20 years of my career in Anglo American and De Beers Diamonds in Southern Africa. I have found that Yorkshire and its people have very much grown on me!

I came to the UK about 20 years ago and gave up the Corporate life to focus on working in small and medium businesses as an interim and Portfolio Finance Director mainly in turnarounds and developing and implementing growth strategies. However during that period my heart took me back to Africa for about 5 years working in Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia and South Africa largely for Private Equity in their investment companies in turnarounds and Exit management.

In the UK I have worked across all sectors in SME’s and now focus on businesses between £2m - £30m working anything from 2 days a week to 2 days a month depending on the requirements of the company. I have found it rewarding and a privilege to work in these organizations with owners and directors who have a real emotional attachment to their business.

Part of my time is spent with startups and young people with ideas for future businesses which is freely given and I look forward to working with FEO.