Gary Brown MBA, MSc, BEng
Tel: +46 729250385 Göteborg
Working Through
Andersson Brown Limited
e-mail: gbrown17_uk@yahoo.com
www.anderssonbrown.com
Leader in generating sustainable business value through market/consumer oriented
product strategy, innovation and implementations. Driven, collaborative, engaging.
KEY BUSINESS EXPERIENCES
2015 Assignments: NetThings -- internet-of-things platform. Conducted a review of the proposed
product/service solutions, competitive landscape, target markets/consumption groups, routes to
market and opportunities for success. (www.netthings.co.uk)
2013-2015: Director of Product and Market Strategy -- Ideal Boilers [Sweden & UK locations]
Ideal Boilers is a leading UK manufacturer of heating equipment and accessories, purchased by
Groupe Atlantic (France) in January 2015 (previously part of the PE funded Ideal Stelrad Group).
Generates a very profitable ~GBP 200mils / SEK 2.4bils revenue with ~680 employees.
 Ideal Boilers approached me to define an appropriate product strategy and innovation agenda
as Director of Innovation and Product Management – be the agent of change and drive more
consumer oriented, innovative processes and product portfolio to secure future growth through
both product and service
 Following a successful first year (FTC), I was promoted to the Executive Committee with
additional responsibility for market strategy and my contract extended a further 12 months
 Responsible for product and lifecycle management of all domestic, commercial/industrial,
renewable and accessory sectors
 Delivered GBP 1.3mils / SEK 16mils annual incremental contribution from new product
accessory strategy and service solution that also opens up new routes to market
 Delivered GBP 1mils / SEK 12mils incremental contribution project for products and technical
support (including personnel assignment) for a new customer on a new continent
 Investigated market dynamics, channels and partners for growth into a new EU market
 Delivered full review of commercial/industrial market under pressure from forthcoming EU
Energy related Products (ErP) legislation – secured new product approval to address
 Drove communication activities to make preparations for product, process and communication
changes required by EU energy labelling legislation and Building Information Modelling (BIM)
 Completely overhauled the product management structure and processes employed to bring
ideas to market to institutionalise the process of idea generation, assessment and selection.
2009-2013: Group NPD Strategy and Project Director, Global Marketing -- Laminates &
Panels Group (L&P), a division of Fletcher Building [UK location, Cincinnati HQ]
Laminates & Panels Group is a division of Fletcher Building that generates ~NZD 1.7bils / SEK
10.7bils revenue with ~4,950 employees with leading brands in the decorative surface/building
materials industry. L&P includes Formica Group, The Laminex Group and Homapal.
 Delivered global business transformation strategy, digitising the business, to improve revenue
capture, customer service and knowledge retention via web/data services and eCRM:
 Improved business models, organisation design and consumer/employee engagement
 Secured multi-million funding and hire of implementation resources for a 3 year programme
 Rigorous selection and tight management of 3rd party agency (NDA, contract, payments etc.)
 Strategy now adopted as a cornerstone of Fletcher Building going forward (FBUnite).
 Global New Product Development (NPD) leader, planning and implementing a global portfolio of
value adding new product projects across the L&P territories, brands and business units:
 Portfolio typically included 35-40 new product projects delivered through matrix resources
 Project support and reporting for a further 35-40 product/cost optimisation projects.
 Created a global consumer oriented product innovation and research process
 Established a Product Council for governance and gateway reviews
September 2015
Page 1 of 3
Gary Brown MBA, MSc, BEng
Tel: +46 729250385 Göteborg
Working Through
Andersson Brown Limited
e-mail: gbrown17_uk@yahoo.com
www.anderssonbrown.com
 Implemented global NPD process with post-launch performance evaluations, IT software roll-out
and training programme to ensure value is delivered against agreed business plans
 Drove awareness/requirement for adoption of BIM for customers -- implementation plan initiated.
2008-2009: Group Director of Innovation -- Formica Group [UK location]
Generates ~NZD 870mils / SEK 5.5bils revenue with ~3,500 employees (prior owner Cerberus
Capital Management).
 Following acquisition restructuring, I was asked to take on a new Group role to create a global
NPD function, develop and implement appropriate Group wide Product Cycle Plan/roadmap and
stage-gated NPD processes using my proven European implementation as a foundation – later
transformed into an L&P role to integrate The Laminex Group and Homapal with Formica Group
 Put sustainability on the business agenda leading to adoption of improved manufacturing and
supply chain processes, raw material selection and product certifications e.g. FSC.
2007-2008: Head of Product & Design Development, European Marketing – Formica Group
 Part of the European Executive Committee, I was responsible for the Design and Development
functions for residential and commercial sectors, with the remit to add business acumen and
process disciplines to the development and launch of new/improved products
 Led the delivery of new designs and product improvements to the European portfolio, including
the consolidation of fragmented and differing country offers providing the foundations for
harmonised European ranges in 2009+
 Ensured the continuation of a unique manufacturing facility capability to deliver highly flexible
and attractive design choices for customers, with low finished goods/raw material implications
 Implemented a Product Cycle Plan/roadmap and portfolio consolidation/lifecycle management
 Drove resolution of a long standing and high profile customer issue and manufacturing
process/product improvement project, leading to new global standard specification
 Public face of Formica regarding NPD and Design including judging competitions/prize giving
and media interviews.
2006-2007: Product Planning Manager, Small Cars -- Ford Motor Company [Germany location]
Ford Motor Company generates ~USD 144bils / SEK 1,160bils revenue with ~187,000 employees.
 Implementation of 2013 B-Max and 2014 Transit Courier projects through the Global Product
Development System (outcomes of prior work in the Advanced Product Group)
 Delivered viable, compatible and agreed specification
 Directed design/styling, engineering and supplier developments in line with the specification
 Led senior management gateway reviews.
2006: Product Innovation Leader -- Volvo Car Group [USA location]
 As the product innovation expert, I was offered a short international assignment to share
knowledge and leverage potential synergies at the Volvo Car Group concept centre in California
 Replaced the existing Product Planner for the period and developed market, consumer and new
business proposals for on-going concept development
 Led a scenario-planning project for 2030CY and early definition of a short-term major freshening
action (2013 V40 Cross Country)
 Increased proposal development collaboration by inspiring the multi-functional staffs.
September 2015
Page 2 of 3
Gary Brown MBA, MSc, BEng
Tel: +46 729250385 Göteborg
Working Through
Andersson Brown Limited
e-mail: gbrown17_uk@yahoo.com
www.anderssonbrown.com
2000-2005: Product Innovation Leader, Ford Motor Company [UK location]
 Proposed and co-founded a new product innovation department, Advanced Product Group, to
conduct on-going product innovation for Ford
 Recruitment and development of a new team (including budget and resource responsibility),
selection and integration of external partners, and leveraging cross-functional resources to
support accelerated product innovation
 Developed and implemented a new consumer oriented product innovation process including
new market/consumer research processes -- now an integral part of Ford NPD
 Product and design strategies for 2003 Fiesta Van and 2006 Transit (International Van of the
Year 2007)
 Focus C-Max Mid Cycle Action feature innovation (supported development of 2006 and 2010
launches)
 New vehicle positioning and feature innovation (2013 B-Max, 2014 Courier & Connect and
others not yet launched) -- several Patent applications
 “Whitespace” new vehicle concept proposals (not yet launched)
 Development of a non-automotive network to share innovation process and product knowledge
e.g. Boeing, Hasbro.
1992-1999: Senior Engineer / Planner -- Ford Motor Company [UK and Belgium locations]
 Five broad assignments across Product Planning, special vehicle engineering,
vehicle/component testing, prototype vehicle manufacturing and Ford of Britain marketing.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Delivery
 Add value quickly with a proven delivery record across three different and complex industries
 Ability to see the “bigger picture” -- business awareness and strong market/consumer focus
 Leadership of change across broad assignments – building bridges and overcoming challenges.
Collaboration
 Improved business and performance by creating the right team and enabling processes.
Engagement
 People engagement and development through open leadership, empowerment and mentoring -prior chairman of a community sports club and active mentor for Warwick MBA students/alumni
 My energy regularly influences others to deliver improved and timely results.
Networking – External Perspective
 Interest in understanding different industries and faculties to gain a broader understanding.
KEY QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION
2006
MBA from Warwick Business School, University of Warwick
2001
MSc Automotive Engineering, Design, Manufacture and Management from University
of Hertfordshire
1997
Chartered Engineer, Institution of Mechanical Engineers (UK)
1992-2007
Broad corporate training e.g. quality processes, FMEA/problem solving, people
development, 6-Sigma Green Belt
1992
BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering from University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (2:1).
September 2015
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