Financial Services >> CEO Interviews >> April 9, 2001
IAN BUCKLEY is the Chief Executive of Tenon Group Plc. He started his
professional career in 1972 with Peat Marwick & Mitchell & Co (now
KPMG), where he gained extensive experience in both audit and
investigatory work. In 1982, he joined Smith & Williamson and set up a
corporate finance department specialising in the acquisition and
disposal of privately owned businesses and in tax related ventures. In
May 1985, he was appointed the first Group Managing Director of the firm
and in 1993, Chief Executive and Deputy Chairman. During the period of
his stewardship, Smith & Williamson developed into a broadly based
multi-disciplinary business with its roots remaining in the accountancy
profession and enjoyed unprecedented and consistent growth in
profitability, notwithstanding the economic pressures of the early
1990s. In 1995, he left to become Managing Director of the investment
management business of EFG Private Bank Limited and in January 1997, he
was appointed Chief Executive of the Bank. He was responsible for
growing the overall business organically and by acquisition. During this
period the Bank acquired the largest independent offshore trust business
in Jersey and a UK based personal financial management and remuneration
advisory business. He resigned as Chief Executive and left in January
1998, but remained a Director of a number of subsidiary companies of the
Group. Prior to becoming Chief Executive of Tenon Group Plc at the
beginning of 2000, he carried out a number of strategic roles in
accounting and private banking in addition to a portfolio of
directorships. He remains a Non-Executive Director of Premier Asset
Management Plc and Zotefoams Plc and is Deputy Chairman of the Council
of King Edward VII Hospital, Midhurst. Profile
TWST: Start us off please with a quick review of Tenon's main aims andbusiness.
Mr. Buckley: Tenon raised GBP50 million of cash to enable it to acquire
accountancy businesses, initially to