Experienced Leadership Driving Strategic Expansion

Our leadership team combines extensive experience across corporate finance, international business, innovation, academia, environmental consultancy and strategic acquisitions. Together, they are guiding the transformation of the Group into a diversified international organisation with long-term growth ambitions.

Mark Aaron Hardwicke

Director

Nationality: British
Date of Birth: December 1976

Professional Profile

Mark Aaron Hardwicke is an experienced British business executive and entrepreneur with nearly three decades of experience in strategic corporate development, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance advisory.

Throughout his career, he has held senior operational, leadership and advisory positions across multiple sectors, supporting both private and institutional investors in complex transactions and growth strategies.

Current Appointments

  • Chief Operating Officer – Cotswolds Capital Ltd
  • Director – Distribution Products (International) Ltd
  • Director / Secretary / CEO – Human Magic Ltd
  • Director – PH Creative Name Co Ltd

Corporate Finance & M&A Expertise

Mark has successfully delivered a broad range of corporate transactions, including:

  • Corporate acquisitions and disposals
  • Management buyouts (MBOs)
  • Management buy-ins (MBIs)
  • Growth capital and fundraising programmes
  • Strategic business restructuring initiatives

His client base has included:

  • Owner-managed businesses
  • Private equity organisations
  • Corporate entities
  • High-net-worth individuals

He has advised on transactions across heavy engineering, biotechnology, manufacturing, media, software, logistics, construction, event management, security, travel and information technology, supporting deals valued at up to $1.1 billion.

Business Interests

  • Person with Significant Control (PSC) – Only Pure Ltd
  • Person with Significant Control (PSC) – Distribution Products (International) Ltd
  • Active involvement in consultancy, management and investment-led businesses

Mark brings extensive commercial expertise, acquisition experience and strategic leadership capabilities that are central to the Group’s long-term expansion strategy.

Dr. John William Sutherlin, PhD

Non-Executive Director & Strategic Advisor

Nationality: American

Professional Profile

Dr. John W. Sutherlin is an internationally recognised academic, environmental consultant, researcher and innovation leader with extensive experience spanning academia, public policy, sustainability and technology commercialisation.

He serves as Chief Innovation & Research Officer and Professor of Political Science at the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM), where he leads research, innovation and commercialisation initiatives across the institution.

Education

  • BA – Louisiana Tech University
  • Master’s Degree – University of New Orleans
  • PhD – University of New Orleans

Specialisation: International Relations and Comparative Government with an environmental policy focus.

Academic & Professional Appointments

  • Chief Innovation & Research Officer – University of Louisiana at Monroe
  • Professor of Political Science – University of Louisiana at Monroe
  • Co-Founder & Director – Social Science Research Laboratory (SSRL)
  • Former Director of Sponsored Programs & Research

Innovation & Commercialisation Leadership

Dr. Sutherlin has led numerous initiatives focused on:

  • Technology licensing
  • Research commercialisation
  • Public-private partnerships
  • Innovation policy development
  • Sustainability programmes

He negotiated ULM’s first technology licensing agreement, representing a significant milestone in the university’s intellectual property development.

International Environmental Consultancy

His environmental and policy work has extended across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Latin America, including projects involving lake remediation, water treatment research and sustainable development initiatives.

Publications & Media

Author of several environmental case-study publications, including:

  • Playing With Fire – The Strange Case of Marine Shale Processors
  • Garbage Gumbo – The Strange Case of the Belle Landfill

He has also produced or directed 28 documentary films exploring environmental, social and community issues.

Awards & Recognition

  • Two-time Professor of the Year (ULM Student Government Association)
  • Tom and Mayme Scott Endowed Professorship in Teaching Excellence
  • Harvard Kennedy School Executive Leadership Training
  • Fulbright Specialist Roster Member
  • Finalist for Louisiana Secretary of Environmental Quality

Dr. Sutherlin brings global research expertise, innovation leadership and sustainability knowledge that support the Group’s international growth objectives.