Gary Thomson
Doha, Qatar
Personal Profile
Currently managing two separate businesses with over 3000 staff. A highly motivated, inspirational and professional Senior Executive with an ability to drive success in diverse and complex situations. A confident, hands on operator, with a proven record of influencing key decisions at Board level, whilst delivering successful outcomes at the operational level. Motivated by the opportunity to make a real difference; solving problems from first principles with a talent for dealing with people in all circumstance. Motivates members in a positive and supportive manner by identifying and then maximising individual talents to forge stronger teams. Always seeking opportunities where value can be added.
Key Achievements
• Developed Elegancia into an Integrated Facility Management company with 70% in-house delivery capability and increased revenue in 2018 by 18% (£5M) in a very challenging market.
• Started Stark Security Services and within 2 years employed over 1200 security professionals deployed at 81 sites
• Secured £80M new business in 18 months
• Delivery of multi-million-pound projects with UK Government Departments
• Lead logistic planner for Military engagement in London Olympics 2012
• Created bespoke organisation to deliver real time movement picture in Afghanistan
• Led, by example, an output focused team of professionals on military operations worldwide
Critical Skills
• A proven strategic planner and exceptional leader of groups of any size and diversity, capable of designing, building and empowering teams for projects or programmes, then inspiring them with the enthusiasm to deliver
• A highly accomplished and fluent communicator
• A skilled relationship-builder able to find common ground between multiple stakeholders and used to operating across structural divides to bring unity of purpose
• A natural organiser, who can transform and create structures that deliver efficiency without compromising on quality, then manage the changes required to set them up
CAREER SUMMARY
June 2017 to Present – GENERAL MANAGER: Elegancia Hospitality and Facilities Management Services
• Responsible for rebranding a tired Hospitality and FM Service provider into a modern and highly competitive business
• Responsible for setting company strategy to achieve an average CAGR of 9% to 2023.
• Increased EBITDA by 8% in first full year
• Responsible for delivering cost savings to improve profit
• Responsible to Board for achieving business goals and delivering prescribed growth
• Provide strong and clear leadership through a solid Vision communicated to all staff
• Provide clear communication with all clients to develop strong partnerships
Nov 2015 to Present – GENERAL MANAGER: Stark Security Services
• Responsible for creating new security company in a highly competitive market
• Responsible to Board for achieving business goals and delivering prescribed growth
• Provide strong and clear leadership with a strong Vision for 1200 staff
• Increased revenue by 200% whilst enforcing stringent cost control measures
• Provide clients with strong security advice, including threat assessments and governance structure
Chief Executive Officer and Founder – Akomod8 plc (Nov 13 – present)
• Inspiration and vision behind the launch of new temporary accommodation manufacturer
• Responsible for business development and contract negotiation
• Responsible for creating a dedicated and enthusiastic team in support of Akomod8
Chief Operating Officer and Director – Snoozebox Holdings plc (Jul 12 – Nov 13)
• Responsible for the deployment, construction and operation of 578 portable hotel bedrooms at multiple events throughout the UK and France
• Directly responsible for planning and delivering temporary accommodation for over 2000 Police Officers during the 2013 G8 Summit at Loch Erne
• Responsible for all logistic support and product development
• Responsible for an annual operating budget of over £4M
• Advisor to Board on all Company operational matters
Senior Operations Manager – Army Headquarters (August 10 – July 12)
• Key contributor to identifying, planning and delivering logistic support to 13,500 service personnel working in support of the Olympic Games. Developed a coherent and achievable logistic plan that was delivered within budget.
• Advisor to Metropolitan Police Service on large scale operational delivery to the London Olympics
• Directly accountable for providing the planning and delivery of logistic capability to military units deployed on operations worldwide in a fast-moving environment.
• Intimately involved in the preparation of logistic personnel for operations, ensuring that all training undertaken is current and reflects best practice as indicated in Lessons Identified process
Senior Manager – Military Unit (August 08 – August 10)
• Charged with the efficient and effective management of a military unit of 700 staff.
• Devised a custom-made training and evaluation regime for a disparate and unique operational unit; plan construct subsequently adopted as best practice for all future training evolutions
• Managed a £10M budget within forecasted targets. Developed Business Cases and Investment Appraisals to justify additional expenditure to enhance unit cohesion and effectiveness
• Author of organisations Business Continuity Plan and empowered as Business Continuity Officer
• Attached to the American Army in Kabul as a specialist advisor. Awarded the US Army Commendation Medal for outstanding achievement
Planning Officer for British Army Training in Canada (August 06 – August 08)
• Singleton post tasked with the planning and preparation of collective training for British Army units deploying on operations worldwide. Coordinated the preparation of military units set against extreme deadlines and ever-changing operational requirements and outputs
• Organised and chaired regular meetings, at the international level, with members of the Canadian Army and other Government Departments
• Charged with identifying and delivering a £5M, in year, saving through a review of the structure and training processes of the UK training estate in Canada, whilst retaining critical output
• Lead planning Officer for the deployment of air and shipping to sustain high intensity
training, 4500 miles from the UK main base
Military Manager (August 8 – August 06)
• Responsible for a variety of military management and command appointments worldwide
Summary
A proven leader and manager whose knowledge and experience crosses a diverse range of business fields such as; Facilities Management; logistics; human resources; training; and project management. A trustworthy and determined Executive who takes huge pride in motivating those around him in order that they can maximise individual and collective potential in support of business objectives. An individual who has developed a complimentary skill set gained from his experience working on high pressure military operations and in a competitive commercial environment.
Qualifications:
City and Guilds Level 7 Leadership – Equivalent to a Postgraduate Degree (Masters)