JONATHAN BLOCH BA, LLB, LLM |
AN EXPERIENCED AND COMMITTED BUSINESSMAN WITH AN INTERNATIONAL TRACK RECORD IN THE SERVICE SECTOR. BUSINESSMAN AND CONSULTANT: 1992- Chief Executive Officer, Exchange Data International Limited (www.exchange-data.com), a start-up on-line information provider. Consultant to a diverse group of clients including an Investment Holding Company, Recruitment Agency, Trade Association, Publishers both in the USA and the United Kingdom, a Facilities Management Company and Financial Services Companies. Efforts concentrated in either marketing and/or restructuring. Extensive mergers and acquisition research undertaken for various companies. Non Executive Director for several software and technology companies. Non Executive Director Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust April 2007 - TENFORE SYSTEMS Real-time financial data provider in Europe (www.tenfore.com). Restructured the Group and substantially reduced monthly losses. Also, won significant seven figure damages in intellectual property case in Italy that placed the company on a firmer financial footing. Chief Executive 1997-2001 Consultant 2001 - 2008 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS (HOLDINGS) PLC An international publishing and conference company with t/o of £44m and operating profit of £6m. Board Member, IBC: 1991 – 1992 Managing Director, Publishing Division. I was appointed to the main board to reorganise their publishing interests following the acquisition of the company by new owners in 1990. I carried out a major strategic review. As a consequence companies were amalgamated, other companies closed down and new growth opportunities developed:-
New profit opportunities were established through:-
The restructuring of the Publishing Division was now completed. President, IBC USA (Publications) Inc.: 1987 – 1990 Shortly after joining Stonehart Publications as Marketing Manager in 1985 it was acquired by IBC. I was promoted to work in the Head Office where I introduced new marketing and advertising initiatives and within two years increased circulation by 100%. By far the most important market was the USA and in 1987 I was made President of US operations. I was responsible for acquiring and running The Donoghue Organisation. Commuting from the UK I introduced a programme of consolidation and expansion which has turned a loss of $500k into profits of $1.3m. Data gathering of money fund information was expanded and plans implemented to launch a similar service for bond funds. In addition a financial services division was established linked to the consumer division. Also in the USA two further acquisitions of business information publishing companies worth $3m were made. In 1990 I also became Chairman of Fleet Street Publications where the management team was replaced and an in-house editorial director was appointed for the first time. In that year the profit was stabilised at £1.9m. LATIN AMERICAN NEWSLETTERS: 1980 – 1985 As Marketing Director I launched campaigns to sell newsletters and data to the financial business community world-wide principally through direct mail and advertising. Key titles included Latin American Weekly Report, Latin American Regional Reports and Informe Semanal. I travelled extensively in the Americas gathering market intelligence for these and other publications. AFTER SIX HOUSING ADVISORY SERVICE: 1977- 1979 As Administrator my duties included negotiating with Central and Local Government, press liaison, co-ordinating staff activity, managing office, finance and fundraising. INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT: 1976 I was a staff researcher covering housing and consumer legislation based at the University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Cape Town, South Africa |