Andy Briggs - IA Growth, who provide growing businesses with strategic financial guidance
What were your career ambitions growing up?
Like many youngsters I probably wanted to be a train driver although I didn’t have a career in mind until I thought of university and decided to explore either accountancy or engineering. Whilst I graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering, I decided that wasn’t a career for me, so I applied to a few big Accountancy firms.
I joined Price Waterhouse where I spent six enjoyable years learning the rudiments of the job. I then joined an M&E sub contractor in the construction industry during the early 90s recession which was tremendous but challenging experience and where I soon learned “Cash is King”! 12 years as Finance Director with Fila followed before a long spell with T&G Allan and The Pen Shop. Whilst there I was involved in a management buyout taking it out of family ownership for the first time in over 150 years.
Tell us about your current role?
I left T&G Allan in 2017 and after a long break co-founded IA Growth in 2018, with Graham Sleep and David Land. We had the aim of working with scaling businesses with £2m to £50m turnover through strategic planning, executive coaching and talent management. David has subsequently retired, but I still collaborate with Graham on occasions. We primarily support ambitious SME’s within the North East region.
What are you currently working on?
Our main project currently is an ERP implementation alongside a CFO role for an import, wholesale and distribution business based in Durham. We are also working with a few other businesses managing forward planning, identifying challenges, providing insight and ensuring they have an understanding of their numbers.
What has been your biggest challenge in business?
Unquestionably this came whilst at The Pen Shop during the 2009 recession. Lehmann Brothers collapsed and being a luxury brand our turnover fell by 30% overnight. We put together plans A, B, C and D and within a month adopted the latter which involved closing shops, cutting stock, negotiating rents and making agreements with key suppliers. Before long the RBS put us in their intensive care banking unit which was known as the Global Restructuring Group and became known for closing businesses. They literally could have done with us as they pleased. Fortunately, we managed to progress and after four tough years returned to profitability, saving 150 jobs in the process. In November 2013 we were released back to mainstream banking, one of the first business that year to do so.
What is your proudest business achievement?
I’d always prefer to be thought of as a team player, but I was very flattered to be runner up in the Finance Director category at the 2014 North East Accountancy Awards.
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
I am an active member of the Entrepreneurs Forum and have gained a lot of knowledge from their events over the years. I suppose the one that always resonates is “know your numbers.”
Who are your Heroes and Mentors?
Hero is a strong word, but my late father always set a terrific example and enjoyed a 40 year accountancy career before getting involved in a host of voluntary projects post retirement. Bill Teasdale from PWC and Richard Allan, Chairman of T&G Allan, were also influential in shaping my career.
The much-missed Doddie Weir was someone I admired greatly as he had the rare gift of making you feel like a long-lost friend whenever I met him.
What do you like to do to unwind?
I have had an allotment for 10 years which I find very therapeutic and a great social outlet. I also love rugby and cricket as well as the experience of live theatre and music.
I suppose one of my great pleasures would be listening to Fleetwood Mac or Lindisfarne, on vinyl, with a glass of whisky in hand!
Favourite Book and Boxset?
I’m afraid I don’t have the attention span to watch a boxset and tend to only read books for factual information. When I do find time to watch television, I enjoy live sport and quiz shows.
What does the future hold?
I’m 62 so keen to retain a nice balance, but I’m certainly not ready to hang my boots up yet. I’d like to think I’ve got a few years enjoying selective work which I find rewarding and stimulating.
iagrowth.co.uk