About Craig
Summary
A northerner, educated in Newcastle, living in Durham, Craig epitomises the warmth, friendliness and engagement the region is famed for. Married, father of a fifteen year old son and with interests in all things sport. Reluctant cyclist and very occasional golfer. Has a love hate relationship with a Labradoodle called Stanley and Cockapoo Ollie.
Early career
After a number of years working for a wallcovering manufacturer, Craig led a £1.1 MBO becoming Managing Director and 50% shareholder upon completion aged only 24. The business expanded rapidly and started exporting for the first time to the United States and South Africa. Craig exited the business in late 1999.
Corporate life
In 2000, Craig joined Aldi and was appointed as Trading Director, a position he held for over 10 years. During this time Craig oversaw the necessary repositioning of the brand, eventually taking the business from 'Dirty Discounter' to 'Household Hero'. Rapid expansion and stellar performance followed seeing the business become one of the most talked about success stories in recent times. It was this disruptive model that Craig felt could be applied in numerous sectors, not just retail.
Going alone
Throughout Craig's tenure at Aldi, he was continually motivated and inspired by the creative and entrepreneurial culture however, he felt that this was lost as the business scaled up and focussed on standardisation and centralisation. Initially funded by a number of successful consulting roles plus additional Private Equity investment, Craig launched a dental group having identified that patients wants and needs were not being met. This resulted in the opening of 5 award winning dental practices in the UK and 2 in Dubai via a franchise model. All practices remain a commercial success and represent some of the fastest growing in the private sector. Craig was Runner Up in the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards - Emerging Talent category, reflecting this achievement. In late 2016, following a failed trade sale and investor misalignment, Craig took the opportunity to step back from the business allowing him to focus on other projects and interests.
Consolidation and current projects
Having been involved in large multi-nationals, dynamic start-up's and established businesses, Craig now wishes to consolidate that experience and focus on applying himself more widely across a number of business in varying sectors. Current projects and investments include his involvement in software, FMCG e-commerce, recruitment, lifestyle, beauty, hospitality and delivering fully funded support to ambitious growth businesses via Scaleup North East and Innovate UK's Scale Up programme on a part-time basis. Craig was announced Mentor of the Year in 2022 by the Entrepreneurs Forum.