About Us - Secantor Business Services

Improving Businesses Since 2001

At Secantor, we help ambitious owner-managers, founders, and directors of UK SMEs achieve greater control, clarity, and confidence in their businesses.

We provide experienced, accredited professionals — Finance Directors, CFOs, Non-Executive Directors, Operations Directors and Management Accountants — who become part of your management team, not just external advisors. Every Secantor professional brings deep technical expertise, commercial experience, and the people skills to make a tangible difference from day one.

Our team works alongside you to strengthen financial performance, guide strategic decision-making, and build the structures that support sustainable growth. Whether you need part-time or project-based support, we tailor our involvement to fit your business — giving you board-level insight without the full-time cost.

Accredited Professionals, Proven Results

Every member of the Secantor team is personally accredited by our directors. We hand-select professionals for their technical excellence, leadership capability, and real-world business acumen across both blue-chip and SME environments. This accreditation process ensures you receive the same high standard of service, whoever you work with.

In addition to your dedicated Secantor resource, you’ll benefit from Client Care — regular oversight and support from a Secantor Director who acts as a sounding board, challenger and quality guardian throughout the engagement.

Our Approach

We don’t believe in rigid frameworks or one-size-fits-all consultancy models. Instead, we listen, adapt, and embed ourselves within your business — understanding what truly drives performance and where support will make the biggest impact.

Our clients trust us because we take ownership, act with integrity, and deliver measurable results. Whether it’s guiding strategic growth, improving management reporting, strengthening board governance, or preparing for investment or exit, Secantor is the partner you can rely on.

✅ A Secantor Director personally oversees each client providing added value and ensuring you get the highest quality of service from your dedicated business professional

✅ Fully flexible service putting you in control of how much time you use. We’re straight-forward to deal with: no ties ins, and no notice required to pause or cancel

✅ Access to our professional network of experts to provide specialist support in a wide range of business disciplines

TREVOR GIBBINS - DIRECTOR

A very widely experienced company director and adviser to SMEs and entrepreneurs. Trevor acts in a variety of executive & non-executive roles for clients which also include Chairman, MD, NED, FD, Company Doctor and Mentor to Owners & Boards. His prime focus is business strategy, change management, team building & development funding for growth businesses helping to build substantial value into owner-managed companies.

Following financial & general management roles in large corporates and MD of a 5th generation family business, Trevor has since 1994 acted as a consultant, director & coach with more than 700 SMEs.

PAUL GIBBINS - DIRECTOR

Paul is an experienced adviser and business executive within SMEs specialising in profit improvement and development of high-performing teams. He acts in a variety of executive and non-executive roles mentoring directors & supporting board-level decision-making to enable businesses to grow sustainably.

Paul has over 20 years of commercial & operational management experience leading teams to introduce systems & processes to improve profitability, planning, control, productivity and add value in both large & small businesses. Paul has an Executive MBA from Warwick Business School.

JOHN DERNIE - REGIONAL DIRECTOR SOUTH WEST

John has 30 years of financial management experience within small, medium & large business including Whitbread and Sony Music, where he held a variety of roles including European Finance Director. His sector experience is equally broad including manufacturing, media, software, leisure, technology, services and retail sectors.

For over 20 years, John has supported SME businesses in start-up, growth, consolidation, turnaround and exit modes and brings sound financial management, solid corporate governance and clear-headed strategic thinking to his clients. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, is a fluent German speaker and lives in Wiltshire.

JULIA BRANSON -SENIOR ASSOCIATE

A widely experienced Company Director and Adviser to SME businesses with extensive financial & management experience of enabling business owners to navigate change throughout the business lifecycle from start-up to exit. Julia has worked collaboratively, pre-empting and sensitively responding innovatively to challenges and creating solutions that sustain growth and redevelopment.

Julia practised with PwC, Deloitte & KPMG over more than 30 years leading teams delivering financial & restructuring services in the South East including providing introductions to a well-established network of businesses, bankers, private investors & legal advisors. Since 2013 Julia has worked as an Independent Consultant, Director and Coach to SME business owners, shareholders and family businesses.

JAS JOSHI - NED & FRACTIONAL FD

Jas is an experienced CFO/Finance Director and adviser to SMEs and entrepreneurs. He has over 35 years management experience including Selfridges, Burberrys, Avis Europe Plc, IBM and Laura Ashley Plc covering manufacturing, software, technology, services, charity and retail sectors.

For the past fifteen years Jas has supported SME’s through turnaround and growth situations covering cash management, IT, HR, business plans, fund raising and management reporting. Jas has managed successful exit’s including appointment of advisors, marketing, due diligence, legals and completion of deals. He is an FCCA with an Executive MBA from London Business School.

HELEN KRONHEIM - FRACTIONAL FD / OPS DIRECTOR

Helen is a highly experienced Finance and Operations Director with over 25 years of success driving growth across diverse organisations. She has a proven track record in implementing strategic change, building robust systems, and leveraging technology for optimised processes and productivity gains. She is a passionate advocate for unlocking value through automation and continuous improvement, with a strong background in global corporations, SMEs and start-ups.

Helen trained in industry and commerce and has worked across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, technology, professional services, communications and IT services.

Richard Jennings - NED & Fractional CFO

Richard is an experienced NED and CFO/FD to SME businesses with a commercial career spanning over 30 years

A Qualified Chartered Accountant, Richard is an astute leader with a proven track record in executing high-growth strategies and identifying management buy-and-build opportunities. He has worked with senior boards and divisions globally and has an in-depth experience of setting up businesses in new markets and restructuring fast-moving companies in the UK, US, and Emerging Markets.

Richard has experience with SME’s and start-ups and has helped a number of Innovation backed business which were seeking funding and commercial input. He is very experienced in financial modelling and forecasting, often presenting to PE and HNW investors as well as institutional debt. His experience in M&A provide Richard with excellent negotiation and communication skills.

Talk To Paul About Your Business Goals

Book A Call With Paul Today!

“Secantor has transformed a struggling company, but full of good people, into a very, very profitable company full of very, very motivated, happy, well-rewarded people and the future looks extremely bright”

Chairman Water Engineering Business

“Secantor has made a world of difference to our business - we are now in control. It's been a transformation within the business. It's a very cost-effective way for us to have high-level management and strategic help”

Helen Pattinson

Founder & MD Montezuma's Chocolates

“Secantor makes us make decisions. What we are getting is a whole world of advice. The cost has paid for itself 100 times over. ”

Richard Atherton

Founder & MD Juno Records

“Thank you so much for all your work for us. It has certainly been challenging and you always presented a calm front, which helped, along with brilliant work. Secantor provided the senior business & financial support my fellow director & I needed at a very critical time for our company. I cannot recommend the incredible service we received highly enough”

Owner & CEO

Global Recruitment Business

“An impact above all expectations. It is hard for me to express my gratitude for such a clear-sighted plan, so well implemented.”

Chairman 3rd Generation Family Business

A huge thank you for introducing Secantor. Obviously you know how dismissive and sceptical I can be of professionals…… However, I found Secantor to be very approachable with excellent communication. Thank you, I’ve been impressed. From my perspective, I was immediately comfortable with their approach and the time they took to learn more about our business.

Steve Wood

MD Roy Wood Transits

“Previously I only saw the cost of administrators but the results of the improvements led by Secantor have completely changed my mind. I now see that each person's contribution creates the opportunity to make more profit”

MD Engineering Services Business

“Secantor has been instrumental in helping us secure our future, bringing great insight, experience and expertise to the management team. Our Secantor Executive has integrated perfectly into our senior team and with a fresh approach and external perspective has helped us transform the business.”

Mark

MD Manufacturing Business

"We have worked with Secantor for over 7 years, having initially appointed them to audit our business performance. We thoroughly enjoy working with the Secantor team who continue to provide a highly professional and bespoke service, allowing us to develop our business strategies, our teams, and processes. Without their invaluable advice and knowledge, I doubt the business would have made such significant gains."

Group Managing Director - Specialist Construction Business

✓ Strategic business planning

✓ Support strategic decision-making

✓ Set business goals and objectives

✓ Rejuvenate struggling businesses

✓ Manage growth effectively

✓ Implement best practice

✓ Sounding board for your ideas

✓ Set and communicate vision

✓ Hold you & your team to account

✓ Build an effective management team

✓ Expert financial advice

✓ Interpret financial results a support decisions

✓ Develop & oversee your finance team

✓ Improve profitability & control costs

✓ Prepare management accounts

✓ Create 3-5 year financial plan

✓ Budget setting

✓ Source appropriate funding

✓ Cashflow forecasting & management

✓ Prepare reports & commentaries for your bank

✓ Develop strength in your management team

✓ Establish key performance indicators (KPIs)

✓ Hold people accountable to achieve results

✓ Process and quality improvement

✓ Help you delegate effectively

✓ Create clear job descriptions

✓ Identify and recruit talent

✓ Implement robust operational systems

✓ Establish clear goals and expectations

✓ Enable your team to achieve excellence

What Does It Take to Build a Successful SME?

For over 20 years, Secantor has worked with hundreds of SME businesses, helping them overcome challenges and achieve growth. This guide outlines the practical strategies and essential practices that every owner should implement to drive their business forward.

Learn what works and start making meaningful progress today.

Simply confirm your details on the form provided to get instant access to your free copy!

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Our expert business executives help you unlock the full potential of your business.

We don’t just provide advice, we become part of your management team and take action to improve your business.

About Secantor

Improving Businesses Since 2001

Accredited Professionals, Proven Results

Our Approach

Our Mission

We Guarantee:

Meet The Team

TREVOR GIBBINS - DIRECTOR

PAUL GIBBINS - DIRECTOR

JOHN DERNIE - REGIONAL DIRECTOR SOUTH WEST

JULIA BRANSON -SENIOR ASSOCIATE

JAS JOSHI - NED & FRACTIONAL FD

HELEN KRONHEIM - FRACTIONAL FD / OPS DIRECTOR

Richard Jennings - NED & Fractional CFO

Talk To Paul About Your Business Goals

Paul Gibbins

What Our Clients Say About Us

Chairman Water Engineering Business

Helen Pattinson

Richard Atherton

Owner & CEO

Chairman 3rd Generation Family Business

Steve Wood

MD Engineering Services Business

Mark

Group Managing Director - Specialist Construction Business

Our Services

We help you make strategic decisions

Non-Executive Director

Finance Director

Operations Director

“Secantor has made a world of difference - we are now in control. It's a very cost effective way for us to have high level management and strategic help”

Ways Secantor Will Help You

Develop & Implement A Successful Plan

Optimise Your Finances

Develop A Strong Accountable Team

Build Value In Your Business

Improve Operational Efficiency

Exit Your Business Successfully

“Secantor provided the senior business & financial support my fellow director & I needed at a very critical time for our company. I cannot recommend the incredible service we received highly enough”