Tony’s approach is hands-on. He is decisive, commercially-minded and engaged, with a reputation for bringing common sense and logic to complex situations.
Known for his integrity, level headedness and clarity of thought, Tony has a reputation for making smart decisions in challenging circumstances. Tony’s willingness to act sets him apart. He combines common sense with commercial awareness and experience to get things done. As a director with a background in law, Tony knows when external advice will be cost effective, and is able to interpret the advice clearly and logically, supporting the external network of lawyers and advisors to bring clarity to the board. Tony brings insightful input, free of conflict.
Tony works across a broad range of industry sectors and asset classes. His extensive legal and board level experience gives him an unusually broad perspective which can be applied effectively to companies wherever located, onshore and offshore, without geographic or sector limitations.
Tony was appointed by an investor to the board of a London based technology business in the digital out-of-home advertising sector. Tony’s role was to monitor the client’s investment in the company and create the contractual and governance framework to enable executive management to achieve commercial success. Unexpected challenges then followed.
Tony Gardner Hillman
Tony studied law at Oxford University (Balliol college 1975-78) and graduated with a first class honours degree in Jurisprudence (B.A. Hons. (Oxon) 1979, M.A. (Oxon) 1987). He then joined a leading London law firm and qualified as a solicitor in 1982. Tony moved to Jersey in 1984 to join a Jersey law firm, where he became a partner and ran the financial services team. In addition, he co-founded JTC Group in 1987 enabling him to leave full-time law practice in 2002. He sold his interest in JTC and stepped down as Chairman in 2008, since when he has worked full-time as a director of a portfolio of companies.
Throughout his career, Tony has always acted in the best interests of his clients, even if that has meant making and implementing decisions which some would find difficult. Logical, smart and highly capable, he has a practical and unflinching approach to problem solving.
Tony works with operating companies (listed and privately owned) and investment funds. He is not limited by sector or asset class. His experience is as diverse as mining and minerals, oil and gas exploration, forestry, farming, digital advertising technology, real estate investment, financing real estate development, private equity, equity financing for biotech businesses, trust company business, tax advisory services, insurance, and the growing and exporting of plants.
Tony is not restricted by the locations of incorporation or place of business. His experience covers businesses domiciled in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Cayman Islands, Sweden, Hong Kong, New Jersey U.S.A., the Bahamas, and the British Virgin Islands, active or investing in western, central and eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, Australia and the USA.
Tony’s portfolio of appointments comprises a balance of straightforward “non-executive” governance roles and complex, hands-on “special situations”. It has included roles as chairman of regulated businesses, both publicly and privately-held. He works with equal ease in both leadership roles and support roles, often with troubled companies. Tony’s skills, approach and unique experience provide a skill set to supplement the incumbent board and executive management without treading on their toes.
Tony thrives in situations where companies find themselves in trouble through failings of the board or when the unexpected happens. He is adept at resolving challenges, helping steer companies onto a new course, and future-proofing.
Tony offers substantial experience in dealing with asset- and liquidity-related risk, the winding down of investment funds and extracting value from assets which are “locked” (due to an illiquid market, third-party issues, litigation or other reasons), investment management oversight, commercial negotiation, corporate re-structuring, governance enhancement, the management of contractual outcomes (including dispute and litigation management), board room tensions, shareholder tensions, trading difficulties, and the timing and implementation of the difficult decision to liquidate lost causes.
Tony has a reputation for bringing something extra to the discussion – a combination of energy, intellect and the ability to get things done, by identifying the objective and a strategy for achieving it.
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