James Pirrie

James founded LCH Generators in 1980 with his brother John.  Working part-time in the early years he turned his hand to everything that needed done.  He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1984, training with BDO Stoy Hayward and after two years with Ernst & Young, he moved into full-time employment with LCH in 1986.  He dealt with sales, marketing and IT and was fully involved in all aspects of the company’s strategic direction, guiding it to quality standard ISO 9002.

As Financial Director his expert structuring of the company’s finances provided the funding which allowed it to achieve its phenomenal growth.  When LCH was sold in 2006 it had nearly 200 employees (from 1 in 1987) and an annual EBITDA approaching £12m.  James was involved in the buy-out of Weston Transport Ltd in 1987, which has subsequently enjoyed significant growth.

In 2004, James and John were finalists in the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards and in 2006, they were finalists in the Entrepreneurial Exchange’s annual awards.  In 2007 James and John won Dealmakers Sale of the Year for the sale of LCH Generators.

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