Profile
CHRIS STAVELEY
TECH ENTREPENEUR, CONSULTANT, NON-EXEC DIRECTOR
MY PERSONAL TRAITS
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Probity
I believe in doing the right thing and always act with integrity and diplomacy -
Active listener
I listen with intent to identify underlying issues -
Strong challenger
I can robustly test another’s position in a non-confrontational way -
Tenacity
My business success is a result of my resolute, goal-oriented personality -
Down to earth
I am a family man who enjoys golf, squash, snowboarding and cycling

THE VALUE I CAN BRING
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Board experience
I was the CEO on a board established by investors to steer the business from investment through to exit; here I saw first-hand how the non-executives bring governance and challenge to the executive team -
Build and exit experience
I built an amazing sensing technology Company and sold it to a huge US headquartered oil & gas multi-national which, together with a side deal in aerospace, delivered a x6 ROI to shareholders -
Business restructuring experience
I have managed the administration of two businesses, one to restructure Company debts to allow ongoing trade, and another to extract a valuable technology Company from an insolvent group -
New Company creation experience
I took a cash cow customer out of a failing business and setup a new Company which traded for 6 years, delivering significant dividends -
Proven method of strategy execution
I adopted and implemented the “entrepreneurial operating system”, a robust process that drives an organisation to deliver its strategy via manageable, goal-oriented activities -
Business Development expertise
I have been the principal Business Development resource through most of my career, creating business development strategies and leading their execution -
Deep understanding of technology
I am a professional engineer with a sound understanding of many technical disciplines and have multiple patents from my early design career -
Finely honed business and leadership skills
I was a long-term member of the CEO mentoring and peer group Vistage, where I gained experience, insight and wisdom of solid business leadership -
Strong network
I have a network of business leaders from many industries, as well as technology end users and decision makers in several industrial sectors
NON-EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE
January 23 to present:
INVESTOR NED: RAB Microfluidics Ltd (UK developer of oil condition monitoring instrumentation)
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Supporting the commercialisation of a new, disruptive monitoring technology
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Representing the interests of the principal institutional investor
October 2020 to present:
NON_EVECUTIVE BOARD ADVISOR: Sitigrid Ltd (UK CleanTech startup developing peer-to-peer energy trading)
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Helped the Company find its strategy and now supporting the executives with their execution
October 2020 to present:
TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANT: L2M Rail (Indian railway technology business)
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Supporting the development of advanced metrology to improve safety on India’s rail network
September 2020 to present:
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT: Proximion AB (Swedish fiberoptic technology Company)
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Created a new business development strategy to help expand the business offering into new markets
EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE
2018 to June 2020:
EESSA OPERATIONS MANAGER: Halliburton (Global Oilfield Services Company)
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Employed as a result of the acquisition of Smart Fibres
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Managed the integration of the Smart Fibres business and technologies into Halliburton
2002 to 2018:
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER: Smart Fibres Ltd (Fibre optic sensing systems Company)
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Recruited to rebuild the business after the 2000-2002 technology market recession
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Appointed an administrator to extract the Company from an insolvent group
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Built and strategically led the Company from infancy through to trade sale
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Board member with full P&L management and shareholder return responsibility
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Prepared board agendas and information packs, managed board meeting actions
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Built strategic alliances with major oil & gas and aerospace sector partners
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Gave strategic direction and mentoring to a highly skilled team
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Contributed to Company intellectual property portfolio (3 patents)
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Negotiated and closed a >$30M business exit, realising value from both aerospace and oil & gas
2000 to 2002:
MANAGING DIRECTOR: Staveley Engineering Co. Ltd (CNC machining Company, dissolved)
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Appointed to turnaround failing family business
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Led business restructuring & negotiated a voluntary arrangement with creditors
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Closed the Company and setup a NewCo to retain the principal customer’s business
1992 to 2000:
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER, PROJECT MANAGER, SENIOR ENGINEER: Frazer-Nash Research Ltd (Electric vehicle drivetrain and electronics R&D Company)
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Commercial lead for £10M electronics R&D
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Presented Company technology to VIPs and Heads of State
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Led acquisition of new staff, technologies & facilities to support growth
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Supported set-up of an electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Malaysia
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Led integration of an acquired electronics manufacturing facility in Scotland
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Established volume product manufacturing in Malaysia
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Won a contract to supply 300 electric vehicles to the Sydney Olympics
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Designed Helmet Mounted Display systems for Formula one
1986 to 1992:
SENIOR SYSTEM ENGINEER: GEC Marconi Avionics Ltd (Aerospace Defence Contractor)
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Designed Head Up Display and Helmet Mounted Display systems for military aircraft (3 patents)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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1986 BSc Electronic Engineering – University of Kent at Canterbury
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Highly numerate with exceptional IT skills
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Born 26th August 1965 (fit, healthy, ambitious), three sons
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Comfortable with domestic and international travel