Leading The Team:

Stephen Crown - Chairman

Stephen Crown is a successful businessman and Qualified accountant.

Stephen’s main business career has been in Data Storage and Management with British Data Management PLC from 1976-1996.The company was floated on the main exchange in 1992 and sold in 1996.

Subsequent to this Stephen built up a Recruitment business which was sold in 2006.

Stephen was a Non-Executive Director of Greenwich Resources PLC from 1989-2001 chairing the audit and remuneration committees at various times.

Stephen is prominent in the world of Horseracing being President of the Racehorse Owners Association and a Non-Executive Director of the British Horseracing Board where he is on both the audit and nominations and remuneration committees as well as interfacing with all the other bodies within the sport.

Stephen is also a Trustee of the Variety Club of Great Britain a major children’s charity where he was Chairman of the Board in 2004. Stephen also sat for some time as a magistrate.

Stephen has joined First Flight (Placements) Ltd as Chairman and is enthusiastic about being involved with First Flight’s Non-Executive Director business being a big supporter of the benefits of Non-Executive Directors for businesses of all sizes and at different stages of their development.

 

Christopher Theis, Non-Executive Director

Chris Theis is an experienced investment banker, corporate financier and entrepreneur. Chris trained in the capital and equity markets in both New York and London. He has led City teams, including Smith New Court and Hoare Govett Ltd, in the origination, structuring and placement of flotation and secondary market transactions of numerous successful companies. Chris has extensive experience in the valuation, purchase and sale of businesses, both in the UK and abroad. Chris co-founded U4EA Limited, a leading networking solutions business, Athanor Capital Partners, a FSA registered corporate finance firm, and Mediazest plc, the UK’s leading creative digital media agency. Chris is Director and Head of Corporate Broking at Insinger de Beaufort, a City Investment Bank specialising in the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

 

 

 

Chris Spencer-Phillips - Managing Director

Chris Spencer-Phillips formed Putt Placements Ltd in 2001 & acquired a reputation for offering Clients a first class service with his specialist & innovative “Wise Owl” Non-Executive Director service which strengthens the Management team and can provide some funding and business mentoring for owner managed businesses and SMEs.

First Flight (Placements) Ltd is continuing with this Non-Executive Director & MBI business as a specialist activity and is looking to greatly increase the profile. First Flight is led by Chris Spencer-Phillips as Managing Director.

Chris has considerable experience in recruiting at board level, placing Chairmen, Managing Directors, Finance Directors and many Non-Executive Directors.

Chris has also worked successfully on many Management Buy-In (MBI) projects by using recruitment to achieve Exit Strategies (MBIs) for owners of businesses who wish to retire, by putting together a new MBI team consisting of a new MD plus 1-2 Non-Execs including maybe a Chairman and FD as required.

Chris has a background in publishing and an involvement with start-ups, venture capital firms and MBOs and is a keen golfer, playing at Rye, 5 h’cap & Board Member. Also a Council member of the Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) and project leader on the ROA’s Tote Acquisition project.

 

 

Fiona Gear – Resource Manager

Fiona has a background in the City working for over 10 years as an Associate Director and leading the account team in financial public relations for a top communications agency owned by Omnicom. Her client base spanned across many sectors including pubcos, retail, transport, mining and was responsible for PR strategies and execution for small to medium sized plc’s. She also worked on several M&A projects and flotations.