Fortoak is thrilled to announce Simon McCouaig as the company’s new Managing Director and Partner after acquiring the business as the majority shareholder in conjunction with his business partner Alex Vergopoulos on the 23rd October 2023.
Mr. Simon McCouaig brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of 21 years working with print-associated enterprises and SMEs.
He has earned a reputation for driving rapid business growth in companies of every size, and for turning even struggling businesses into highly profitable assets, making him a valuable addition to the Fortoak team. In his role as Managing Director, Simon will play a pivotal role in steering Fortoak toward new heights of success, leveraging his extensive expertise to drive strategic initiatives and foster growth.
As a Partner, he will actively contribute to the company’s overall vision, bringing fresh insights and leadership to the executive team. Simon McCouaig formally joins Fortoak after serving as the company’s Chairman for the past twelve months in a non-executive role whilst also serving as Vice President International at Shenzhen Formers Paper Ltd where he drove rapid expansion with sales growth of 35% primarily through new customer acquisition in multiple international markets this year. He will continue to support Shenzhen Formers Paper Ltd as a key member of the leadership team.
Prior appointments include the Turbon Group, where he served as President and an Executive Board member where he successfully supported eight independent businesses across multiple geographies around the world.
His successful career spanned over 5 years, during which he consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and a keen ability to navigate dynamic business landscapes. Simon’s values steer him towards both helping people and the planet.
While serving as President at The Turbon Group, he introduced and sponsored Corporate Social Responsibility programs across a myriad of operations, ensuring that social and environmental factors were always taken into consideration when making decisions about operations and interactions with stakeholders. Likewise, in his roles as Vice President and General Manager International at NCR Corporation – an international $7b software, consulting, and technology company and, at the time, a major manufacturer and provider of printer consumables & services primarily serving the financial, retail, and hospitality markets – Simon drove organic business growth from $134m to $191m in just over four years, achieving an impressive CAGR of 9.27%.
He has now assumed the role of Managing Director and Partner, responsible for guiding the company – a leading supplier of till rolls, custom labels, and packaging solutions – to even greater success. The company looks forward to leveraging his expertise to expand its reach, enhance client relationships, and spearhead innovative solutions in the coming years.
“We are delighted to welcome Simon McCouaig as our new Managing Director and Partner,” said Alex Vergopoulos, the newly appointed Chairman at Fortoak. His leadership acumen and industry knowledge align seamlessly with Fortoak’s goals and vision. We are confident that Simon will play a key role in driving our company forward, ensuring sustained growth and success.