Gavin Faulds

Commercially driven Managing Director and Chartered Accountant with 29 years of senior leadership experience across manufacturing, FMCG, chemicals, wholesale, distribution (B2B/B2C), retail, and e-commerce. Proven track record in building, scaling, and transforming businesses through strong strategic leadership, operational execution, and disciplined financial management. Extensive experience in international sourcing and supplier management across Asia (China in particular), Europe, North America, Africa and Australia, developing global supply chains and bringing new consumer products to market.

Entrepreneurial executive who has founded, grown, and successfully exited multiple businesses. Experienced in acquisitions, business restructuring, market expansion, and brand development. Combines strong commercial instinct with rigorous financial discipline developed through a CA(SA) background.

Particularly effective in businesses undergoing growth, restructuring or transformation phases, with a hands-on leadership style focused on building teams, strengthening operational performance, and delivering sustainable profitability and cash flow.

Founder & Business Advisor at GF BUSINESS ADVISORS (2023-01 – Present)

Established a strategic advisory practice providing leadership, restructuring and growth support to SMEs across consumer goods, retail, hospitality and agricultural sectors.

• Advising a high-end women's fashion importer, wholesaler and retailer through financial distress, including restructuring operations, securing bridging finance and facilitating the sale of profitable divisions to an investor.
• Supporting a wine farming and hospitality business with financial structures, operational processes and reporting improvements.
• Leading a 15-month engagement for a UK-based pet food manufacturer focused on rebuilding and expanding the company's China B2B and e-commerce business and driving new product development initiatives.
• Developing a global business strategy for a new dog supplement product launching internationally from 2025/2026.
• Providing advisory support to several businesses in the South African, Benelux and Australian pet industries.

Shareholder & Managing Director at PET BRANDS (PTY) LTD (2017-01 – 2023-12)

Co-founded and led a consumer products import, repackaging and distribution business supplying licensed and private label pet and veterinary products to wholesalers, retailers, and veterinary practices across Southern Africa. The business sourced products internationally across five continents and grew to R65M annual revenue with 42 employees.

• Defining and executing the company's strategic growth plan.
• Full P&L responsibility including budgeting, treasury, tax and cash flow management.
• Developing international sourcing networks and negotiating supply agreements with global manufacturers.
• Building distribution channels across retail, wholesale and veterinary markets.
• Leading product development including packaging design, private label development and brand strategy.
• Managing import/export logistics, warehouse operations and light manufacturing processes.
• Building and leading a multidisciplinary team across sales, marketing, procurement, finance and operations.
• Maintaining strong stakeholder relationships with suppliers, distributors and retail partners worldwide.
• Exited the business after selling shareholding in 2023.

Managing Director & Shareholder at PETMAN HOLDINGS (PTY) LTD – PET MASTERS (2017-01 – 2021-12)

Co-founded a retail group focused on the acquisition and growth of specialist pet retail stores. Led the acquisition and integration of 12 stores and development of 2 new outlets, growing the business to R100M annual revenue with 68 employees.

• Origination, negotiation, and execution of acquisition transactions.
• Business valuation, deal structuring, and financing negotiations.
• Post-acquisition integration and retail operational improvement.
• Development of private label and licensed product ranges.
• Full operational leadership across procurement, sales, finance, HR, and retail operations.
• Stepped back from operational leadership after appointing a Managing Director to focus on Pet Brands.

Managing Director (Post-Acquisition) at MARLTONS PETS AND PRODUCTS (PTY) LTD (2013-01 – 2017-12)

Retained as Managing Director following the acquisition by Ascendis Health. Achieved annual revenue growth from R205M to R340M during this 5-year period.

• Full operational leadership across manufacturing, procurement, sales, finance, HR, and operations.
• Managing the extensive global supplier and product sourcing network.
• Managing licensed brand relationships with respect to sales, new product development, market analysis.
• Lead the acquisition negotiations and post-acquisition integration of an import/distribution business.
• Driving synergy projects within our division which led to streamlined sales, finance, warehouse, and logistics operations saving four companies R35 million operating costs per annum.
• Member of the 3-man project team responsible for the installation of SYSPRO.

Managing Director / Shareholder at MARLTONS PETS AND PRODUCTS (PTY) LTD (2005-01 – 2013-12)

Led the transformation of the business into a leading pet product manufacturer and distributor in Southern Africa.

• Growing annual revenue from R24M to R205M over eight years.
• Managing a workforce of 295 employees across manufacturing, distribution, and retail channels.
• Negotiating, building, and managing an extensive global supplier and product sourcing network with regular travel across international markets.
• Leading acquisitions including negotiation, valuation, financing, and integration.
• Successfully selling the company to Ascendis Health Ltd, delivering strong shareholder returns.

Group Risk Manager at OCEANA LIMITED (2004-01 – 2005-12)

Reported to the Group Finance Director of this listed international fishing and food processing group. Led the internal audit function and developed enterprise risk management frameworks across multiple operating divisions.

• Leading the Group Internal Audit team.
• Presenting to the Audit Committee and Board.
• Improving risk management systems across fishing, processing, and cold storage operations.

Financial Manager/Director at THE LUBRIZOL CORPORATION (NYSE Listed) (1997-01 – 2004-12)

Led the South African financial function for this global specialty chemicals manufacturer, reporting to US headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio.

• Management reporting, statutory reporting, and financial control.
• Budgeting, tax, and treasury oversight.
• Leadership of a finance team of seven professionals.
• Serving as Acting Managing Director for nine months during leadership transition.
• 18-month secondment to the global internal audit team conducting operational audits at international facilities.

Audit Manager – Botswana at DELOITTE & TOUCHE (1994-01 – 1997-12)

Led audit teams servicing listed and privately owned businesses across multiple sectors.

• Statutory audits, tax advisory, team leadership and client engagement management.

Articled Clerk – Durban at DELOITTE & TOUCHE (1991-01 – 1994-12)

Led audit teams servicing listed and privately owned businesses across multiple sectors.

• Statutory audits, tax advisory, team leadership and client engagement management.

Chartered Accountant in Accounting – South African Institute of Chartered Accountants

MBA Study Programme in Business Administration – Johns Hopkins University

B.Compt Honours in Commerce – UNISA

Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting – University of Natal