Steve West

A graduate in economics from the London School of Economics, Steve qualified as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG, London, in the early 1980s. He has over 25 years’ experience as both a divisional and group finance director of large, multi-site, multi-national corporations in industries ranging from white and capital goods manufacturing, to printing and, latterly, agriculture.

Prior to retiring from executive roles in 2015, Steve was group finance director of the Shropshire Group, a mass producer and processor of fresh produce (typically lettuces, radishes, spring onions, celery, beetroot, onions and mushrooms) for the large UK retailers. The Shropshire Group employs over 5,000 people, has annual sales of over £500m and, as well as possessing extensive operations in the UK, and is a major producer in Spain, Czech Republic, Poland, Senegal and the USA.

For the past 15 years Steve has sat on the Boards, advised and Chaired Finance, Audit and Risk Committees of charities based in London and East Anglia. These organisations cover diverse areas including school and higher education, publishing, child services, scientific research, property, national surveys and the Church of England.