The Value That Outside Expertise Can Bring To Business Growth - And Being Brexit Ready

James Cropper

Mark Cropper

SMEs make up the lion’s share of all businesses in the UK, and therefore have a crucial role to play in fuelling innovation and growth and exploiting global business opportunities. But many are facing huge pressures, made worse by the Brexit conundrum.

In their efforts to innovate, compete and explore new international trade opportunities, and be prepared for whatever being outside the EU brings, some companies have drafted in external sources of interim expertise in the form of independent non-executive directors (NEDs).

Specialist materials firm James Cropper Plc makes some of the world’s most distinctive and technically advanced paper products, including the red paper for the Royal Legion's famous poppies. 

Founded in 1845, the company has taken paper rolling technologies and applied them to composite materials to produce carbon fibre fabrics, offering growth potential into new markets, such as automotive, aerospace and automotive. The AIM-listed family business employs 570 staff, and turns over close to £100 million ($140 million) annually. Its main production facilities are in the UK and the US, and half of its products are exported.

Back in 2012 the company was facing huge challenges in maintaining a competitive edge and a strategy for increasing overseas expansion. It also lacked a real heavyweight among its Board members, someone with the international experience and specialist knowledge in advanced materials to take the company to the next level. A solution lay with the appointment of NED, Doug Mitchell who had the requisite skills and expertise the business needed.

Chairman Mark Cropper says: “Whilst we deal with international clients, our senior management is based in our British headquarters. If you are internationally experienced you know how fast the world spins in Shanghai and New York, and how to respond. Doug’s first hand experience and knowledge of this ensured we got up to speed.”

James Cropper

Mark Cropper

In their efforts to innovate, compete and explore new international trade opportunities, and be prepared for whatever being outside the EU brings, some companies have drafted in external sources of interim expertise in the form of independent non-executive directors (NEDs).

Specialist materials firm James Cropper Plc makes some of the world’s most distinctive and technically advanced paper products, including the red paper for the Royal Legion's famous poppies.

Founded in 1845, the company has taken paper rolling technologies and applied them to composite materials to produce carbon fibre fabrics, offering growth potential into new markets, such as automotive, aerospace and automotive. The AIM-listed family business employs 570 staff, and turns over close to £100 million ($140 million) annually. Its main production facilities are in the UK and the US, and half of its products are exported.

Back in 2012 the company was facing huge challenges in maintaining a competitive edge and a strategy for increasing overseas expansion. It also lacked a real heavyweight among its Board members, someone with the international experience and specialist knowledge in advanced materials to take the company to the next level. A solution lay with the appointment of NED, Doug Mitchell who had the requisite skills and expertise the business needed.

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