Geoff started his career in the health and beauty business at Smith & Nephew in 1980 and worked in various roles across major brands in the company’s portfolio including Elastoplast, Nivea, Atrixo and the Simple Toiletries range.
After completing an MBA at Warwick University, Geoff left Smith & Nephew and spent three years at Neutrogena.
He rejoined Smith & Nephew as Marketing and Sales Director and in January 1999 was appointed Managing Director of Smith & Nephew Consumer Products, responsible for the company’s global business.
In June 2000 he completed a management buy-out from Smith & Nephew to create Accantia, whose brands included Simple and Lil-lets. As Chief Executive in Birmingham, UK, Geoff oversaw the new group’s operations in the UK, South Africa and Australia.
In January 2004 Geoff completed a secondary management buy-out, securing the backing of private equity house Duke Street. In December 2006 the disposal of the group’s feminine hygiene business to Electra Partners was completed enabling Accantia to focus as a sales and marketing operation on its core brand, culminating in the rebranding of the business to Simple Health & Beauty Group Limited in March 2009.
In December 2009 Simple Health & Beauty Group Ltd was acquired by US based international personal care and household brand business Alberto Culver. Geoff led the sale of the business and the transition from private to multinational ownership. He continues as Chief Executive.
Geoff is a past Chairman of the CTPA and also of the Founders Association of Warwick Business School. He is currently Vice Chairman of the CBI in the West Midlands having completed a two-year term as Chairman in December 2009. In April 2010 Geoff was appointed Non Executive Chairman of Orion Media – an LDC backed radio business based in Birmingham which owns eight Midlands radio licences.
Geoff is a strong supporter of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, having previously sat on one of their Advisory Boards, and is currently actively supporting a project appeal with Marie Curie Cancer Care. With optimism knowing no bounds, he is a passionate follower and season ticket holder of Newcastle United football club.
Joining Smith & Nephew plc in 1988 as Group Financial Accountant based in London, Peter spent three and a half years in Singapore as Regional Finance Director for the group’s Asian operations. He returned to the UK in 1996 to become Finance Director of Smith & Nephew Consumer Products and latterly its global consumer products business unit.
Peter joined Accantia in June 2000 as Finance Director to co-lead the management buy-out from Smith & Nephew.
In November 2003 he co-led the group’s successful transition into new ownership; he was instrumental in the successful disposal of its feminine hygiene business in 2006 and its refinancing in 2007.
In December 2009 Simple Health & Beauty Group Ltd was acquired by US based international personal care and household brand business Alberto Culver. Peter co-led the sale of the business and the transition from private to multinational ownership. He continues as Finance Director maintaining responsibility for all financial, statutory, legal, taxation IT/IS and treasury operations, together with maintenance of internal controls throughout the business.
Peter has been a member of the ICAEW since 1986, is married with two children and is a keen tennis player.
Alex joined in May 2007 as Group Marketing Director. Alex has over 20 years senior management experience in the leisure/retail, health and fitness sectors where she has worked for private and public listed companies.
Most recently she was Marketing Director for Fitness First Group Ltd, the world’s number one health and fitness brand. She was previously Managing Director of Commercial Marketing Solutions Ltd.
David started his career in health and beauty at Smith & Nephew in 1988, working in a number of sales roles managing both a proprietary and own brand portfolio.
Shortly after completing an MBA at Aston University, he transferred to Accantia in June 2000 in the role of International Development Manager.
In April 2004, David became General Sales Manager for the UK and Ireland, overseeing the development and implementation of trading strategy for the Simple brand. Since David took up leadership of the sales organisation in 2004, Simple has achieved a sales CAGR of 12% and currently enjoys record market shares.
David joined the group Board in January 2008 at an exciting time for Simple brand development.
A Scotsman of positive disposition, David is a family man with a five year old daughter. His other passions include sport, music and drama.
