Board of Directors
Non-Executive Chairman
Giles Fearnley. A career in the passenger transport industry saw Giles lead an MBO in 1991 forming Blazefield Holdings Limited, a business operating bus networks principally across Yorkshire and Lancashire. This company was sold to Transdev in 2006.
In 1997 he was appointed Chief Executive of Prism Rail PLC, having been one of that company’s founders, and held that position until its sale to National Express in 2000. Prism Rail operated four of the UK’s passenger rail franchises with a turnover of £500million per annum.
Giles retired in November 2020 from the role of Managing Director – Bus, UK and Ireland for First Group Plc. Giles served as chairman of the Association of Train Operating Companies in 1999/2000 and as chairman of The Confederation of Passenger Transport UK.
Executive Directors
Jason Starr, Group CEO.
Jason Starr joined the Group in 1994, becoming Marketing Manager in 1996 and Managing Director of the UK business in 1998. Following the MBO, Jason became Chief Executive of the Group. Jason has a BA (Honours) business studies degree from the London Guildhall University.
Ian Mackin, Finance Director
Ian graduated with an honours degree in Accountancy Studies from the University of Huddersfield. Following CIMA qualification in 2004, Ian spent 11 years as Financial Controller of a Childcare chain before a stint as Director of Finance in a Care Home chain.
Ian joined the Group in 2018 and since 2019 has been Group Financial Controller, playing a key role in the restructuring of the Group. He joined the Group Board up in June 2022.
Paul Mather, Chief Operating Officer.
Paul has been employed in the group since 1999 after graduating with an honours degree in Physics from the Surrey of University. Paul joined in a 2nd line support role with Voyager Software Ltd before taking over the support function in 2000. In 2001 he became Customer Services Director before taking over as Operations Director in 2003. After selling Voyager to Dillistone Group in 2011 Paul was part of the due diligence teams for the subsequent Group acquisitions and is now responsible for Group operations globally.
Non-Executive Directors
Julie was Dillistone’s Finance Director from April 2010 until 30 September 2021 when she retired from executive responsibilities and became a non executive director. Julie is an experienced finance director of quoted and private companies. She graduated with an honours degree in Physics from Birmingham University and is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Director. She also holds tax and treasury qualifications. Julie was group finance director of Carter & Carter Group plc until October 2005 having joined in 2002 to help grow and float the business.
She had previously been chief financial officer of Weston Medical Group plc and prior to this, Julie worked at East Midlands Electricity plc as director of corporate finance. She was finance director of AIM quoted Biofutures International plc until July 2010. Julie also spent over 12 years as a non-executive director of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. She was appointed as a non-executive director of Oxford Cannabinoid Technologies Holdings Plc in May 2021.
Matthias is the co-founder and portfolio manager of the P&R Real Value Fund, established in late 2012. The fund invests in a concentrated portfolio of “young elephants”, often small-cap companies that can reinvest free cash flow at high incremental returns on capital. He is Chairman of Software Circle plc, a serial acquirer of niche, mission-critical software businesses. Matthias completed an Executive MBA at London Business School and Columbia Business School, where he focused on value investing.
Aakash was a senior trader at Bridgewater Associates in Connecticut, USA. Following six years at Bridgewater, he moved to London for an MBA from London Business School (LBS). He fell in love with value investing at LBS. He joined P&R in 2019 where he is the “Co-Pilot” working with Matthias Riechert on investment due diligence and portfolio management. He also has a Masters from Columbia University and a CFA level III certification.