Short Biography

Gary’s significance in Love in Care cannot be overstated. Until 2011, he served as the UK Director of SME Banking at Yorkshire and Clydesdale Banks, holding crucial positions such as Head of Retail Banking and Head of Business Banking for Yorkshire Bank. Prior to that, he held the role of Northeast and Cumbria Regional Director of SME Banking at Barclays Bank. In 2012, Gary established Focus on Success Ltd, a management consulting firm that offers non-executive directors and business coaches to SMEs throughout the UK. He currently serves as the Managing Director of the company. Furthermore, Gary, along with his wife Hayley, are the owners of Denovo Properties (Northeast) Ltd, SE Decorators Ltd, and Omkara Beauty. Gary’s expertise as a Non-Executive director and consultant is highly sought after, and he provides valuable guidance to numerous SMEs across the UK. His advisory services cover areas such as Growth Strategies, Business Development, Marketing, HR, Risk Management, Finance, M&As, and Corporate Governance.

After collaborating with Love in Care and its founder, Aqila, for several months on developing the company’s growth roadmap, Gary joined as a Non-Executive Director in 2023. The company is now successfully implementing the roadmap under his leadership. Notably, Gary is recognised as a mentor and growth expert in prestigious programmes. He serves in the Goldman Sachs 10000 Small Business Programme, conducted by the Business School at Oxford University. Additionally, he mentors participants in the government’s Help2Grow Programme at Leeds University Business School. In acknowledgement of his contributions to the Finance Industry, Gary was bestowed with an MBE in the 2008 New Year’s Honours List. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers Scotland, further attesting to his esteemed professional standing.