Executive Bio

Avril Millar - NED & Board Adviser

Avril Millar - NED & Board Adviser

Avril is an experienced Non-Executive Director with a >10+ year portfolio career for both established leaders and high growth SMEs, primarily in the financial services sector, as well as technology, healthcare, consultancy, leisure, oil and professional services.

This follows 20 years of experience as founder and director of Andersen Charnley, a private wealth business which grew to £500M assets under advisory, and early background as a Civil Engineer and Maths & Physics teacher.

Following Andersen Charnley’s sale, Avril led the turnaround of a global recruitment business in the midst of the financial crisis, and subsequently transitioned into a non-executive and advisory career for organisations, including the world’s number one online FX broker, FXPro, a leading UK natural IVF clinic, Create Fertility, and a Silicon Valley brand technology start-up, Versus Systems.

Avril’s ability to guide both globally established and fast-growth businesses equally at a strategic direction and corporate governance level has made her a unique Non-Executive.

She is a high-value commercial voice in steering the development of Board-level strategy across sectors, markets and geographies, and has worked extensively with both new and experienced leadership teams.

Continually focused on shareholder value, Avril has advised on major business transformations that enhance efficiency, cost control, scalability and customer service, drawing on a wealth of expertise in sales and business development, financial control, governance, risk and compliance, fundraising and business operations.

Underpinning Avril’s success is her ability to build consensus and drive sound decision-making. She challenges, propels and supports Board members, with an outstanding record of increasing Board effectiveness through best-in-class governance frameworks and wide experience resolving complex internal matters.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

ANDERSEN CHARNLEY (1986 – 2007): established and grew business from start-up to a multi-award-winning Wealth Manager with £500M AuA and a team of 64. Developed and executed an ambitious strategy over >20 years, which delivered industry-leading retention and referral rates and continuous transformation to efficiency, customer experience and compliance, driven by the industry’s evolving change to technology and operations. Sold the business to Collins Stewart, latterly acquired by industry giant, Cannacord.

FX PRO (2010 – PRESENT): joined as a key UK Board member and guided the business through its growth to the world’s number one online forex broker. Instrumental to set up of the UK business and strategic planning over >10 years, driving change to the business model that weathered major sector crisis. Led sales training and consistently enhanced effectiveness of cross-cultural Board.

VERSUS SYSTEMS (2017 – PRESENT): consults on business strategy for a brand technology start-up, which reached revenue stage in mid-2018. Advised on advancement into European markets and development of prizing, advertising and promotions platforms, in addition to supporting successful funding rounds and improving financial control across product development and wider cost base.

KEPLER PARTNERS (2015 – 2016): drove >200% revenue growth and 300% profit growth for independent advisory and asset raising boutique, advising majority partners on strategic vision and facilitating critical change to leadership and organisational design. Led Board meetings for optimal effectiveness and provided one-to-one executive coaching.

CREATE FERTILITY (2011 – 2013): delivered 60% business growth in two years, securing £MM VC investment and transforming business operations of the natural / mild-assisted IVF business. Developed IM and led VC meetings which acquired full funding required for opening of satellite clinics and London headquarters, whilst retaining owners’ majority share. Implemented IT solutions and workflows which facilitated scale and assured regulatory compliance.

 
 

KEY EXPERTISE

  • Strategic Planning

  • Business Transformation

  • Corporate Governance

  • Board Effectiveness

  • Crisis

  • Business Turnaround

  • Sales and Business Development

  • Financial Control Risk Management

  • Regulatory Compliance

  • Fundraising / Investment

  • Business Operations

  • Capacity Building

 

ADDITIONAL ENGAGEMENTS

  • PassFort: Board Advisor, 2016 – Present

  • EG Capital Advisors: Director of Corporate Governance & Compliance, 2017 – Present

  • Pall Mall Investment Services: Compliance Officer & MLRO, 2018 – Present

  • Integrity Global: Chairman, 2017 – 2018

  • AtoE Training & Solutions: Chairman, 2015 – 2018

  • Kepler Partners: Advisor to Partner Board, 2015 – 2016

  • Create Fertility: Consultant | Interim General Manager, 2011 – 2013

  • Qredo: Strategic Adviser, 2016 – 2016

  • Face partnership: Chairman, 2012 – 2016

  • Natterbox: Interim CEO, 2013 – 2013

  • Mocoh: Non-Executive Director, 2013 – 2014

  • FXEcosystem: Chairman, 2012 – 2016

  • Collins Stewart: Retained Adviser, 2008 – 2009

  • Palmarium Group: Board Advisor | Chief Executive Officer, 2007 – 2012

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