The Office Team

Our office team in Plymouth is headed up by Lesley Cropper, the Office Manager. The team handles the company’s sales, distribution, customer services and IT functions.

The Management Team

Squirrel Medical has developed a robust management team to facilitate the company’s development and enable the continued delivery of high quality product to our clients.

Simon Chamberlain (Non-exec Chairman)

Simon Chamberlain joined the Financial Services Industry directly from university, and in his early career held senior positions in both Merchant Investors and Royal Life. In 1991, Simon took his team from Royal Life and became a founding partner of J. Rothchild Assurance (now known as St. James' Place Capital) and became their number one partner in 1993 and 1995. The company was floated on the stock market in 1997 for approximately £365m and is today one of the top 200 companies in the U.K.

After the flotation, Simon became the National Development Director for the Zurich Advice Network, which was an amalgamation of all the financial services companies owned by Zurich in the U.K. These included Eagle Star, Allied Dunbar and Abbey Life. The main role of the Development Director was to move 5,000 individual advisors into a structured business practice model, creating firm business, succession and exit plans for the practices going forward.

In 2003, following legislation changes occurring within financial services - particularly depolarisation of the whole industry - Simon took the opportunity to launch Thinc, a new kind of financial services proposition that incorporated all kinds of financial advisors, whether they be corporate, mortgage or IFA's. This new approach created a one-stop shop and became known as a multi-distribution platform. Over a four year period, the Thinc Group grew to approximately 900 advisors over all disciplines, £75m of estimated turnover, £3bn of funds under management, placing £4bn in mortgages and was eventually sold to the French giant AXA in a deal worth £100m in 2006.

In July 2007, Simon decided to look for new opportunities. He has now formed Succession Advisory Services with Paul Morrish, and has advised both Finance Devon and Finance Cornwall, two European funded VCs. Simon also holds a number of key non-executive positions within both the public and private sectors, as well as acting as a consultant for Initiatives in Business Development (IBD) bringing his extensive knowledge and expertise to companies looking to grow and develop.

Rick Baker (Managing Director)

Rick spent his formative years training initially as a mechanical engineer, which was followed in 1991 by his tenure as research engineer for US-based medical designers Vidamed. In 1993 he was appointed Technical Director and subsequently Managing Director of Hideaway Beds Ltd. Hideway beds limited was involved in the manufacture and supply of space saving wallbed’s and successes included national media coverage on several pioneering television shows which lead to substantial growth in dealerships including the John Lewis Group. In 2004, Rick decided to use his background in product design and engineering to help develop a pioneering range of pressure relieving products. Rick is our Managing Director and has particular interest in product quality and design. Rick is an ex British surf champion, keen musician and country and western enthusiast.

Gary Baker (CEO)

Having trained and worked as an R&D Engineer with Marconi Osram, Gary decided to venture into the world of retail, where he attained the position of general manager for US giant Radio Shack (with 55m turnover via 170 stores. Upon the successful sale of the UK division to the Carphone Warehouse, Gary was appointed Managing Director Volker Healthcare, which was involved in the supply of medical furniture.

In 2004 Eve Regin, Rick Baker and Gary, having identified an opportunity within the market, decided to design a special range of pressure relieving products that would fulfil the demands of the developing primary care sector. Aside from his duties as CEO, Gary is a qualified yacht master, artist and musician and involves himself with fundraising for the amateur boxing association.

Paul Morrish (Non-exec Board member)

Paul has 20 years' experience in the financial services and business world. He began his career on the accelerated graduate programme at Barclays PLC in 1988 and subsequently assumed leadership responsibility in various commercial, marketing, strategy, planning and change roles. Alongside these, he directed a multi-partner team to develop the Retail Bank's first e-Business strategy, led the business model and income synergy team for the £5.4bn Barclays-Woolwich industry merger, and was accountable for the due diligence, £100m pa synergy definition, and integration planning for the 2005 £2.9bn Barclays corporate acquisition of Absa in South Africa.

An appointment in February 2002 as Barclays UK Savings and Investments Director - during which period this line of business established clear market leadership - was followed in December 2002 by Paul becoming Managing Director for Barclays and Woolwich's flagship £1.6bn Current Accounts, Savings and Investments business.

At the end of 2003, having led the review and implementation of Barclay's retail customer strategy to move from a product to a customer based business, Paul took up the position of Commercial Director for the entire £3bn UK Personal Customers business, to which was subsequently added accountability for UK retail marketing. As Personal Customers Commercial & Marketing Director, Paul lead the team accountable for the full P&L, and customer and product proposition and marketing activities for Barclays Group's 12 million personal customers.

Paul accepted an offer to establish an independent Management Consultancy in 2005 and, as Managing Director, oversaw its development and rapid expansion into industries from public to professional services, leisure to engineering, financial services to sport, and retail to IT - ultimately leading to a merger in 2008 to create Succession Commercial Services.

Paul is passionately committed to people leadership and to supporting and championing the achievement of the maximum potential in every individual and business. He holds past and present responsibilities as an international conference and Business School speaker, University Associate Director, UK Industry and Sports advisor, Director of Exeter City Football Club, Commercial Proposal Reviewer for the UK Government's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and undertakes Trustee and Executive leadership roles with local and national charity bodies. He holds the Football Association coaching badge, and acts as a business and personal mentor worldwide.

Ève Régin (Finance Director)

Having successfully completed her French education, Eve, a French national transferred her studies from Paris to London in March 1987. Eve commenced her career as a junior accountant for Vosper’s Plymouth. She obtained a BA (Hon’s) degree in accountancy and finance. Eve, was appointed managing director of Sage Tuition Services in 2001, where she attained Oxford and Cambridge Accreditation (Examinations Board). During her tenure at S.T.S, Eve gained a reputation for excellence as a university lecturer and in 2004, agreed to become part of the original Squirrel team alongside Gary and Rick Baker. Apart from her role as Finance Director, Eve is a dedicated and supportive wife and mother. Eve is a qualified and enthusiastic motorcycle rider and enjoys sailing and travel.