Chris Bell – Principal, London East

Chris, who is a Chartered Accountant, joined the FD Centre after a distinguished career in UK corporate life, where he ended up as Finance Director for Henry Butcher International (UK’s largest plant & machinery auctioneers and valuers – £100m turnover). Previously Chris was a Partner with Binder Hamlyn (now part of Deloittes) in their London office where he was responsible for advising a wide range of clients in sectors that included property, manufacturing, television, film and theatre and professional services.

Since joining the FD Centre in 2006 he has been involved with a number of entrepreneurial businesses, including professional services, airport management and manufacture and distribution of medical diagnostic devices. He also has extensive experience of working with charities, including two periods as an interim part time finance director at Teach First, a fast expanding educational charity.

Chris’s skills encompass business and strategic planning and forecasting and the raising of finance from bank, venture capital, private equity and from High Net Worth investors. Chris also has experience of business disposals, due diligence and acquisitions, cash management and cost reduction, and the application of the Enterprise Investment Scheme. He also has experience in the application and negotiation of grants from government departments and other donors.