COMMUNITY PROFILE

Darryl is a part-time Advisory Chairman and a non-executive on a number of LDC portfolio businesses.

 

In May 2014, Darryl became Advisory Chairman of LDC after 11 years as Chief Executive.

 

Darryl joined LDC in 1987 and formerly ran the Birmingham office and then the Midlands and North region before becoming Chief Executive in January 2003. 

 

During his 11 year tenure as Chief Executive, LDC expanded significantly in terms of both investment scale and profitability. Over this period, the business invested £2.6bn in c166 companies and delivered post tax profits of £1.2bn whilst also building a portfolio of around 80 companies which are expected to deliver a further £1.5bn of profit over the next four to five years. 

 

The foundations of LDC's track record, which are close to Darryl’s heart, are its challenging, supportive, compassionate and commercial culture. This goes hand in hand with its strong UK regional network, proprietary deal origination, proactive post investment operational value-add and a clear investment philosophy which focuses on backing outstanding management teams.

 

A notable milestone in the expansion of LDC was the establishment of an international footprint by opening an office in Hong Kong. This has provided significant value-add to the UK portfolio whilst also providing a spring board for creating a direct investment business in the Far East over the medium term.

 

Darryl is long-standing proponent of the importance of building sustainable success and passionately believes that this can only be achieved through a truly relationship based approach, predicated on creating a reputation for being trusted, fair minded and commercial. He is also a strong advocate of the role private equity should play in supporting local communities – the ‘LDC in the Community’ initiative, developed in 2005, has raised more than £2.5m for UK, regional and international charities.

 

Darryl is currently a Non-Executive Director for six of LDC's portfolio companies. He also has a portfolio of private interests and is a Guardian of The Birmingham Assay Office.

 

He has a variety of wider business interests especially promoting entrepreneurship and a more business friendly environment.

 

Darryl enjoys reading, especially history, travel, wine collecting, very average marathon running and most sports, especially supporting Birmingham City.