Profile:
• Experienced creator of and investor in fast growth businesses.
Specialising in Consumer facing, Branded, Multi-channel retailers, Digital Media and Internet Services.
• Specific expertise in Brand building, eCommerce, Digital Media, Database, Direct Marketing and Internet
• Ten years on Public Company boards in the UK and South Africa. Lived in the UK since 1976
Operational Experience and Highlights:
• Ran, built and successfully sold three companies: Berda Electric (1976), Salton (1985) and Innovations (1996).
• Previously Chairman and CEO of Innovations Group PLC, a multi-brand mail order business. The group included Innovations (household and technology gadgets), Hawkshead (clothing) and McCord (Housewares)
• In 1995, Innovations conducted the UK’s first secure Internet transaction with consumers- supported by NatWest bank and ICL.
• Sold Innovations in 1997 to the Burton Group (£45m) and subsequently to GUS.
• Co-founded a consumer data company (Consumer Access) in 1993. It was sold to Consodata (listed French Company) in 1998. £16m.
• Managing Director, Arcadia Marketing and Home Shopping ’96-’98.
• On part time basis, founded fashion portal Zoom for Arcadia (March ’99) – sold 50% (£15m) to Associated Newspapers in August ’99. Remained as part time Chairman of Zoom until June 2001.
• Created Dial, the home shopping joint venture between Arcadia and Littlewoods. Remained as part time Chairman of Dial until June 2001.
Active Investment and non-Executive roles:
• Partner at the acceleratorgroup London, (Business Accelerator Ltd – founded 2000), an investment and advisory company for early stage, internet services businesses and multi-channel retailers. Other Partner, son, Saul Klein
• Through Accelerator or Local Globe (family investment company) currently have interests in the following businesses:
www.astleyclarke.com
www.amee.com
www.billmonitor.com
www.billmonitor.com
www.daylife.com
www.digivate.com
www.dothomes.com
www.dothomes.com
www.fizzback.com
www.digivate.com
www.dothomes.com
www.dothomes.com
www.fizzback.com
www.fotonauts.com
www.fuzzwich.com
www.glassesdirect.co.uk
www.graze.com
www.imagini.net
www.imagini.net
www.kublax.com
www.lookery.com
www.lovefilm.com
www.mashery.com
www.moo.com
www.mashery.com
www.moo.com
www.moveme.com
www.mindcandydesign.com
www.mindcandydesign.com
www.mybuilder.com
www.netlog.com
www.openx.com
www.seedcamp.com
www.slideshare.com
www.stardoll.com
www.stardoll.com
www.snaptalent.com
www.spotrunner.com
www.songkick.com
www.wonga.com
www.spotrunner.com
www.songkick.com
www.wonga.com
www.zemanta.com
www.zoopla.com
• Currently a director of the following companies: Digivate Ltd, Mooprint Limited, Fizzback Group Ltd, The Moving Service Ltd, Quickbridge Ltd, Byteplay Ltd.
Voluntary Sector:
www.zoopla.com
• Currently a director of the following companies: Digivate Ltd, Mooprint Limited, Fizzback Group Ltd, The Moving Service Ltd, Quickbridge Ltd, Byteplay Ltd.
Voluntary Sector:
Governor of Rhyl Primary School (2004 - to date)
Chairman of Great Ormond Street Hospital Promotions Ltd (1998-2001)
Exits from Previous Private Companies:
Notable Successes and failures in portfolio as investor/non-exec director
Successful Ventures:
1. Berda Electric Manufacturer, Distributor of Electrical Appliances Successful sale to SA listed company Exec Chairman
Part Owner 1971-1975
2. Salton Ditto Successful sale to Pifco plc – listed on LSE Exec Chairman
Part Owner 1976-1985
Innovations plc Direct Catalogue Retailer – multi-brand.
Listed on LSE Successful sale to Burton Group. (Debenhams, Arcadia) Exec Chairman
Part Owner 1986-1997
3. Consumer Access Ltd Lifestyle Database business Successful sale to Consodata of France Co-Founder. Non-Exec Chairman 1993-1998
4. Aroma Ltd Coffee Bars backed by APAX. Successful sale to McDonalds.
Co-founder, Non-Exec Director 1993-1997
5. Zoom Fashion Web Portal for Arcadia and other brands 50% sold to DMGT. Associated News. Founder within Arcadia and Chairman of the JV 1997-2000
6. Last Minute.com On-line Travel company Listed and shares subsequently sold.
Early stage investor – alongside first VC money 1998-2003
7. Sit Up TV TV auction shopping channels. Successful sale to Telewest/
Flextech. Independent Non-Exec 2002 -2005. Chairman of Remuneration and Audit Committees.
8. Agent Provocateur Upscale lingerie brand. Successful sale to 3i for a sum exceeding £60m. Chairman of the board from October 2002 to November 2007.
9. Dopplr: helps you make more of your travels by sharing your personal and business travel plans privately with the people you trust. Sold to Nokia September, 2009
Less Successful Ventures (from financial point of view):
Greenfingers.com eCommerce. Sold at loss. Non-exec Chair. Investment alongside VCs 1999 - 2001
GroupTrade B-B eCommerce Sold at loss. Non-exec Director. Investment alongside VCs 1999-2002
Another.com Email services Sold at loss. Non-exec Chair. Investment alongside VCs 1998 - 2002
Retail Variations plc Multi-channel Retail platform with brands. Wound up. Non-exec Chairman 2001-2005
Personal Details:
Married, 2 children. 4 Grandchildren. MSc Industrial Engineering
Moved to UK in 1976. Lives in London and France.
Born 1947 in South Africa
robin.klein@gmail.com
Notable Successes and failures in portfolio as investor/non-exec director
Successful Ventures:
1. Berda Electric Manufacturer, Distributor of Electrical Appliances Successful sale to SA listed company Exec Chairman
Part Owner 1971-1975
2. Salton Ditto Successful sale to Pifco plc – listed on LSE Exec Chairman
Part Owner 1976-1985
Innovations plc Direct Catalogue Retailer – multi-brand.
Listed on LSE Successful sale to Burton Group. (Debenhams, Arcadia) Exec Chairman
Part Owner 1986-1997
3. Consumer Access Ltd Lifestyle Database business Successful sale to Consodata of France Co-Founder. Non-Exec Chairman 1993-1998
4. Aroma Ltd Coffee Bars backed by APAX. Successful sale to McDonalds.
Co-founder, Non-Exec Director 1993-1997
5. Zoom Fashion Web Portal for Arcadia and other brands 50% sold to DMGT. Associated News. Founder within Arcadia and Chairman of the JV 1997-2000
6. Last Minute.com On-line Travel company Listed and shares subsequently sold.
Early stage investor – alongside first VC money 1998-2003
7. Sit Up TV TV auction shopping channels. Successful sale to Telewest/
Flextech. Independent Non-Exec 2002 -2005. Chairman of Remuneration and Audit Committees.
8. Agent Provocateur Upscale lingerie brand. Successful sale to 3i for a sum exceeding £60m. Chairman of the board from October 2002 to November 2007.
9. Dopplr: helps you make more of your travels by sharing your personal and business travel plans privately with the people you trust. Sold to Nokia September, 2009
Less Successful Ventures (from financial point of view):
Greenfingers.com eCommerce. Sold at loss. Non-exec Chair. Investment alongside VCs 1999 - 2001
GroupTrade B-B eCommerce Sold at loss. Non-exec Director. Investment alongside VCs 1999-2002
Another.com Email services Sold at loss. Non-exec Chair. Investment alongside VCs 1998 - 2002
Retail Variations plc Multi-channel Retail platform with brands. Wound up. Non-exec Chairman 2001-2005
Personal Details:
Married, 2 children. 4 Grandchildren. MSc Industrial Engineering
Moved to UK in 1976. Lives in London and France.
Born 1947 in South Africa
robin.klein@gmail.com
