Davidson wins top boss award from PE industry

BRIAN Davidson, the chairman of Darwen-based Crown Paints, has been recognised for the role he played in the turnaround of the company by the private equity industry.

Mr Davidson has been named CEO of the year by the British Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (BVCA) at its annual management awards.
Mr Davidson is a turnarounds veteran who was appointed by Leeds-based Endless in 2008 following its purchase of the brand from AkzoNobel.

He helped to move it from a lossmaking position into one where it made profits of £20m on sales of £150m in two years. It was then sold on to Danish firm Hempel in a deal which was said to have valued the business at over £100m.

Since the sale, Mr Davidson has moved from CEO to chairman and has also started his own turnaround fund, RooGreen Ventures, with ex-Endless partner Warwick Ley.

Bill Priestley, managing director of LGV Capital and chair of the BVCA’s judging panel, said: “With over 200 organisations considered this year picking an overall winner has been a great challenge.

“The level of talent and entrepreneurial zeal that has been demonstrated over the past few months assures me of the resilience and dynamism of our industry in these troubled economic times.”