About Angus Cater
Angus KB Cater, MA, CDipAF, Cert PFS
S.M.E finance specialist with long experience of starting and running businesses in the U.K and the U.S.
Entrepreneurial and creative with a solid theoretical base having obtained ACCA accountancy qualifications cemented by an MA in strategic finance and personal finance qualifications.
Started two businesses from scratch (one in the U.S) and turned round a struggling business with severe cash flow difficulties.
Expertise in financial services, retailing, interior design and export.
Career
2013 Founded Angus Cater Ltd to do Financial Training and Crisis Management Training
1991 - Present: SFS Group Ltd - Chairman (from 2009)
SFS designs and markets insurances for the independent sector of education. Now market leader in insurance ‘Schemes’ for parents, children and schools with a turnover of £6.0 million
Joined as a regional salesman and promoted up to Sales Director, Joint Managing Director and then Managing Director from 1995. Developed an excellent team who have turned this loss-making and cash starved start-up into a profitable, diverse, cash rich company which has become a driving force in the sector.
Led the establishment of School Solutions LLC, an SFS clone, on the east coast of the USA raising $1 million from US investors.
Created and launched ‘Property and Liability Plus’ in the U.K which now contributes 50% of SFS turnover.
Led an MBO which completed in January 2011.
1982-1990, Caters International Ltd - Managing Director
Originally a Middle East furniture export business, diversified into show house design and retail. Learnt from the mistakes of being a fledgling entrepreneur and built turnover to just under £1 million per annum before succumbing to the property crash of 1990.
Lessons learnt in those years were the foundation stone for future success at SFS Group in the 1990’s.
1981-2, Collins and Hayes Ltd - Marketing Manager
A leading modern upholstery manufacturer. Recruited from Debenhams to be their Marketing Manager. Started to sell successfully in the Middle East and left to start export business.
1976-81, Debenhams Ltd - General Manager
Recruited onto the graduate trainee scheme of the department store division . After completing initial training, was promoted to Assistant General Manager in Debenhams, Oxford Street and then General Manager, at the age of 26, of Debenhams, Plymouth. In between spent 18 months working for Sir Anthony Burney, Chairman.
1975 – 6, Manifest Conferences and Presentations Ltd - Director
A specialist conference production company. Responsible for conference organisation
1974 – 5, Banque Societe Generale, Paris - Foreign Exchange Manager
Solidified French business language skills at this major French bank.
1971-4, L Powell Dawes and Co, Stockbrokers - Trainee Partner
Worked in all departments and passed Stock Exchange Exams.
Business Education
Delaware (USA) Life, Health, and Property and Casualty Licences (2002)
Kingston University - MA in Strategic Financial Management (1998-9)
ACCA—Certified Diploma in Accounting and Finance (1995-8)
Financial Planning Certificate 1,2,3 (1997-8)
Stock Exchange Exams (1972-4)
Secondary Education
Sherborne School, Dorset
Prefect, Captain of Cross Country, Sailing team
Interests
Cross country running (active member of Ranelagh Harriers since 1973); completed 4 marathons
Walking (member of Swiss Alpine Club; completed 60 mile Trailwalker 2009),
Sailing: RYA Commercially Endorsed Offshore Yachtmaster; and Ocean Yachtmaster (theory). Sailed a 45 ft yacht around South America 2007/8
Reading
Clubs –, Royal Ocean Racing Club,.
Other roles
Recently : Chairman of Finance Committee (Millais School, Horsham)
Governor of Parsons Mead School, Ashtead
Finance Lecturer for CareerStart (GDST)
Currently: Chairman of Old Shirburnian Bursary and Finance Committee (1999 – present)
Treasurer of Sherborne in the Community (from end 2005)
Governor of Prior’s Field School
Director of CareerSkillsPlus
Director of Angus Cater Ltd
Date of Birth
28th June 1952
