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Dan Hird
Head of Corporate Finance at Triodos Bank
Professional Background
Dan Hird has established himself as a leader in corporate finance, particularly making meaningful impacts in sectors that prioritize social responsibility and sustainability. Serving as the Head of Corporate Finance at Triodos Bank since 2008, Dan leads a dedicated team that specializes in providing lead advisory and risk capital raising services. His focus is on organizations that deliver tangible positive social, environmental, and cultural impacts, making him an integral part of the ethical investment landscape.
Under Dan's stewardship, his team has successfully catered to a diverse clientele, including charities, social enterprises, community organizations, and companies involved in renewable energy initiatives. These sectors often require nuanced financial strategies that align with their mission-driven objectives, and Dan has honed his expertise to meet these unique demands, ensuring that their financial needs are met while fostering a greater good.
Prior to his tenure at Triodos Bank, Dan compiled an impressive resume with extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and corporate finance. He spent a foundational seven years with KPMG, where he was involved in all aspects of M&A within the private company sector. His expertise not only covers transactions but extends to operational finance and strategic growth, making him a versatile asset in any financial setting.
In addition to his corporate finance roles, Dan has demonstrated his entrepreneurial spirit by founding Q3 Corporate Finance Ltd, where he served as Owner and Managing Director. This venture, based in Bristol and Bath, afforded him further opportunities to refine his skills in delivering corporate finance services tailored to client needs over a seven-year period.
Additionally, Dan enhanced his industry experience through pivotal roles as Financial Director for significant organizations, including a large £45 million retailer and an £11 million print manufacturing business. These positions fortified his understanding of corporate finance in varying business environments and helped him master financial management from an operational standpoint.
Education and Achievements
Dan Hird's educational background has been instrumental in shaping his professional journey. He began his academic career at Lawrence Sheriff School in Rugby, before pursuing higher education at the University of Portsmouth, where he earned a BA Hons in Geography. This foundation in geography has provided Dan with a unique perspective on understanding the interplay between economic development and environmental sustainability, an insight that greatly complements his work in corporate finance.
As a trained ACA (Associate Chartered Accountant), Dan possesses a rigorous financial acumen that has empowered him to thrive in the competitive field of corporate finance. His deep understanding of finance allows him to bridge the gap between traditional investment paradigms and ethical financial solutions. Dan's analytical skills, coupled with a rich background in financial management, have paved the way for numerous achievements in his career.
Dan aspires to broaden the reach of ethical investments through initiatives like Triodos Crowdfunding, an innovative platform that seeks to attract individual investors in support of projects delivering social and environmental benefits. He is a passionate advocate for merging financial success with societal contribution, and he believes that with thoughtful financial choices, investors can enjoy both monetary returns and positive impacts.
Achievements
- Head of Corporate Finance at Triodos Bank: Since 2008, Dan has propelled the bank's corporate finance division to new heights, effectively advising and raising capital for projects committed to sustainability and ethical impact.
- Entrepreneurial Leadership: As the founder of Q3 Corporate Finance Ltd, Dan exhibited strong leadership and entrepreneurial skills while successfully managing multi-faceted client engagements in the market.
- Corporate Finance Expertise: With comprehensive experience in both M&A and equity and debt fundraising, Dan is recognized for his profound expertise that spans across various sectors, including renewable energy, fair trade, organic agriculture, and more.
- Promoting Ethical Crowdfunding: Dan is dedicated to promoting Triodos Bank's crowdfunding platform, encouraging individuals to align their investments with their values and contribute to societal betterment while achieving financial returns.
- Diverse Experience: Over the years, Dan has accumulated a wealth of experience in various financial roles, notably serving as FD for significant businesses, thereby establishing a strong foundation in operational finance and strategic growth.
Dan Hird’s commitment to ethical finance and corporate social responsibility has positioned him as a thought leader in the field. His journey reflects not just personal career growth, but also his dedication to fostering positive change in the world through prudent financial strategies. With ambitious goals for the future and a steadfast focus on merging finance with social good, Dan continues to lead initiatives that inspire responsible investment practices.
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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