Paul Gilbert

Biography

Paul Gilbert is a Senior Director with European Growth Markets turnaround and performance improvement practice, with more than 20 years of experience in turnaround, restructuring and interim management. He has advised clients or served in senior operational roles across a wide range of industries with a particular focus on emerging markets, including FMCG, retail, aviation, oil & gas, broadcast media, publishing, automotive, steel, chemicals and financial services. Most recently, Mr. Gilbert advised as CRO the Board of Directors of a South African construction materials manufacturing business, a subsidiary of a U.S. listed corporate, on operational improvement possibilities and viability in relation to its loss-making plant, together with scenario analyses to enable assessment of potential sale or wind down options. Mr. Gilbert previously advised the Trustees of the ultimate holding vehicle for Danube Foods Group in Serbia, comprising Imlek (regional dairy products manufacture), Bambi (confectionary) and Knjaz Milos (mineral water).  The role included day-to-day monitoring operations and management liaison, advising on debt restructuring and supporting sales activities. The businesses maintained strong EBITDA generation despite shareholder uncertainty and the role concluded with a successful sale of the Group by the Trustees at values above expectations. Mr. Gilbert previously served as Operations Director for CHC Helicopter, Australia, where he drove EBITDA improvements and supported its relocation and restructuring.  Prior to this, following discovery of bribery and corruption in one of the African divisions, he stepped in as Strategy Director at the Headquarters of an international media business to stabilise operations, assist legal advisors during the investigation and assess exit options. Mr. Gilbert previously served as Group CFO and effectively as deputy CEO/COO of Red Bee Media, a private-equity backed broadcast media and outsourcing business with operations in Europe, Asia and Australia.  In this role, he restructured the finance function and was heavily involved in EBITDA improvement initiatives, including contract profitability, cost reduction and improved sales focus.  He also drove post-acquisition financial and operational improvements for a private-equity owned U.S. / Central European oil and gas business, and advised a global tier-one auto components supplier on restructuring options for its three French plants. Prior to joining A&M, Mr. Gilbert was a Director with PricewaterhouseCoopers in London and Prague. His experience includes restructuring advice to multi-bank syndicates, reviews and working capital advice for large industrial businesses, and advice to a UK parent on exit options from a troubled Central European subsidiary. Mr. Gilbert is a UK Chartered Accountant.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in operational research and management, with honours, from the University of Hull. Mr. Gilbert is a UK national.

Research Interest

Paul Gilbert  has 20+ years of experience in turnaround, restructuring and interim management and he has a Senior operational experience as CFO / COO / CRO.His vast international experience including half of the last 15 years spent on the ground in Central and Eastern Europe and other emerging markets