Geoff joined the company on April 9th, having recently sold the private equity backed Solihull-based Simple Health and Beauty business, where he was Chief Executive for 10 years – he remains in post under new ownership. He has also recently completed a two year term as Chairman of the CBI in the West Midlands.
Geoff spent the early part of his career at Smith & Nephew - primarily as Marketing and Sales Director -before being appointed Managing Director of consumer products in 1999, where he held overall responsibility for the company’s global business. In 2000 he led the management buy-out team from Smith & Nephew which created Accantia, famous for its household brands including Simple Toiletries.
In 2004 he completed a secondary management buy-out and secured the backing of private equity house Duke Street. In 2006 he oversaw the disposal of the group’s feminine hygiene business to Electra Partners which enabled Accantia to refocus as a sales and marketing operation on its core brand, culminating in the rebranding of the business to Simple Health & Beauty Group Limited in 2009.
Mr Percy has an MBA from Warwick University, and outside his business interests is, through his charitable work, a strong supporter of Breakthrough Breast Cancer. He is married and lives in Henley-in-Arden.
Orion Media is backed by private equity provider Lloyds Development Capital (“LDC”). The business was formed following the sale by Global Radio of eight Midland Radio licences – including BRMB in Birmingham, Mercia FM in Coventry, Radio Wyvern in Worcester and Beacon in Wolverhampton - to LDC and radio industry veteran Phil Riley in May 2009.
Speaking of his appointment, Geoff Percy said:
“Orion Media is a business which offers very exciting opportunities for future growth, and I am very much looking forward to working with the highly experienced management team at Orion, with their unrivalled sector knowledge, in achieving our ambition of becoming the best radio group in the UK.”
On welcoming Geoff Percy to Orion Media, Chief Executive Phil Riley commented:
“On behalf of everyone at Orion Media, I would like to officially welcome Geoff to the business. His brand-building skills, ably demonstrated in the growth of Simple, will be invaluable to us as we seek to grow the audiences to our stations, and his deep knowledge of the West Midlands business sector will also be a terrific asset for us.”
Andy Grove, Investment Director at LDC added:
“Geoff’s appointment further strengthens Orion Media’s existing board of Directors. In particular, his private equity management experience will add real value and support to Orion’s management team as we look to achieve growth objectives and drive the business forward.”
Notes to Editors
LDC:
1. LDC (Lloyds TSB Development Capital) is part of the Lloyds Banking Group and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
2. LDC has, since 1981, completed over 400 investments, has ongoing interests in over 60 businesses across the UK.
3. LDC back ambitious management teams from UK-based companies seeking between £2m and £100m of equity for management buy-outs, institutional buy-outs or development capital transactions.