Leadership Team
Chris Jones - Director / Co-founder
Chris has over 25 years in the Toy industry, working on many of its biggest brands and Licenses.
During 12 years at Vivid Chris was responsible for managing major toy franchises including The Simpsons, Spider-Man, X-Men, Lord of the Rings, WWE, Care Bears, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Thunderbirds and Bratz. Chris then moved in to International Sales at Vivid to help manage their network of Distributors, Agents and major retailers
At Jakks Pacific Chris was responsible for helping to set up their European HQ in London and had specific responsibility for managing Sales and Marketing in Eastern Europe. In 2012 Chris set up on the-bright-side, his own International Business Development Agency working initially for Vivid, Genesis, Funtastic and Worlds Apart. Eight years on, he has helped them and many other companies to develop their International distribution networks.
Ian de Kretser - Director / Co-founder
Ian is a skilled and recognised technology leader in the UK who has driven the research and development of several disruptive platforms at both start-ups and market-leading organizations. Prior to Show Cloud®, Ian served in several technology leadership roles in BT [British Telecom].
Ians 20-year career in technology includes 5 years as MD at the sofware house Red Dust Digital, where he led that company through several successful platform releases including 'Tracks' for HM Prisons.
Ian has a bachelor’s [Hons] degree in Accounting and Finance.
Simon McIntosh - Consulting CFO
Simon is an experienced CFO who during his 22 years at the Vivid Toy Group was instrumental in the success of the company. During his tenure, Vivid’s revenue grew by more than ten-fold and the company developed from a UK owner-managed business to an international organisation selling product to over 50 countries and working with some of the largest and most iconic brands in the industry including Bratz, Spider-Man, Thunderbirds, TMNT, Disney, Care Bears, Moshi Monsters and Crayola. As CFO of Vivid Simon oversaw three successful exits for shareholders, set up a sourcing operation in Hong Kong, led the acquisition of Nomad in France, negotiated many of Vivid’s key distribution agreements, and saw the company recognised for its achievements with various awards including the prestigious Sunday Times Fast Track 100 award.
After selling the company in 2017, Simon set up his own business advisory practice in 2018 which specializes in helping ambitious, growing SMEs in various sectors. Simon qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PWC and is a University College London alumni.
