Frontier IP Group PLC (LSE:FIPP, FRA:8WT) chief financial officer, Shaun Claydon, talked with Proactive about joining the company, his background in corporate finance and his priorities as the newly appointed CFO of the technology commercialisation group.
Claydon explained that he is a qualified chartered accountant whose early career included roles at PwC before moving into investment banking and broking in the City. During that time, he worked extensively with SMEs on fundraising, IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, and helped businesses scale toward successful exits.
He told Proactive that he was attracted to Frontier IP because of the potential within its portfolio companies and their focus on developing technologies with practical applications across global markets. Claydon highlighted the importance of products that can help reduce costs and improve performance, particularly in the current economic environment.
Discussing the company’s portfolio, he noted that several businesses are now “gaining traction” and progressing toward potential exit events. He said his role would focus on supporting those companies through fundraising and scaling initiatives while helping Frontier IP drive value creation.
Claydon said: “We have around 17 or 18 companies in the portfolio at different stages. So clearly I'm keen to get under the skin of those portfolio companies.”
Looking ahead, the new CFO said his priorities over the next 12 months include gaining a deeper understanding of the portfolio, helping companies raise finance and supporting successful exits for Frontier IP.
Proactive: Shaun very good to meet you. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your experience.
Shaun Claydon: Yeah. Good morning Stephen. Thank you for your time. So I'm a qualified chartered accountant. Originally, I spent the formative part of my career, as you mentioned, working in corporate finance, initially with PwC and then moving into the city, working in investment banking and broking. And again, a lot of experience there working with mainly SMEs in terms of raising finance, IPOs, M&A and really helping companies scale and exit.
Laterally, I moved into CFO roles where I've acted as CFO for a number of companies, public and private. And, you know, I've spent quite a bit of time again working with those companies in terms of finance raising and also exits.
Proactive: So what's attracted to you to Frontier IP Shaun?
Shaun Claydon: Well, I think I just really see the potential for the group and its portfolio companies, really and particularly like the fact that the portfolio companies are very much focused on developing real technology and products that really have a tangible impact across global markets, not least of all in reducing costs and improving performance, which I think is particularly important in the current environment timing wise.
I think it's a great time to be joining Frontier, they have a number of portfolio companies which are really gaining traction now and moving forward towards an exit sort of event. So, you know, I see my role very much as bringing my expertise to bear in helping with that process.
Proactive: I know it's early days, but what are your priorities for the next 12 months?
Shaun Claydon: Well, I think first of all, getting to know the portfolio better. I think we have around 17 or 18 companies in the portfolio at different stages. So clearly, I'm keen to get under the skin of those portfolio companies. But really it's around focus in terms of driving realisations, helping the portfolio companies raise finance on their journey to scaling and hopefully successful exits for Frontier.
Proactive: Shaun, I'm sure we'll be having many conversations going forward. Thank you very much for your time today.