Company Founders >> Martin Preen

Background:
Martin Preen qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Touche Ross & Co, and then moved to Barclays de Zoete Wedd, BZW (now Barclays Capital). Over six years with BZW, Martin spent a significant amount of time in Asia prior to being appointed UK Director, Operations, and was then promoted to European Operations Director and Head of Global Operations Control. Looking for a different challenge, Martin led a team in a MBO to buy Advanced Handling Limited, a manufacturer of materials handling. In 1999, Martin purchased Hidrosib SA, from the Romanian Government, a large hydraulics manufacturer. Martin and his team led an outsourcing programme in Advanced Handling which production to China and Romania. Martin became Chairman of Advanced Handling Group and set up a software business B2B Systems plc, providing solutions to investment banks. In January 2005, B2B Systems plc merged with a City based consultancy and became known as Business Controls Solutions plc (BCS), and shortly after that in May 2005, BCS was listed on London’s Alternative Investment Market. Martin roles within BCS, included MD of the Software Division, Group COO and also Sales and Marketing Director. In March 2006, Martin led the sale of Advanced Handling Group to Metalrax plc. In 2006, Martin formed Krushr plc based on a concept which he had been thinking about for sometime and joined forces with Sasha Branch who provided the inspiration to enhance the product to what it is today. Martin is now the Chairman of Krushr plc.

Passion:
Martin’s passion is building businesses and products which add real value to people’s lives. He is passionate about Krushr, because not only is the product exciting and new, it also offers people real convenience and at the same time provides a solution which will increase recycling rates.

“Unlike many businesses or products, Krushr is easy to understand, it is also to easy to see why it makes lives easier and what the benefits are. Krushr is a really exciting product, but also one of a number of future products, where we will take what are ordinary and relatively painful everyday functions and make them easier and better for the environment”