Bailie Group

Different strengths. A shared purpose. Success, the right way.

Our People

Where heritage meets expertise, vision and purpose.

 

We believe business isn’t just about performance. It’s about people, relationships and making a positive difference. The kind of quiet care that doesn’t show up on a balance sheet. Yet, experience shows us that by giving values such as these equal billing, financial success is all but guaranteed. Our leadership team takes a hands-on approach to help drive growth, market leadership, operational excellence, and strategic value for our partner companies. Fundamentally, all of this is done with an understanding that success comes from partnerships formed via shared vision and values.

Kieran Eblett

Fergus Bailie

CEO

Fergus Bailie has a strong commercial background, which started with a law degree at Durham University, continued with a Chartered Accountancy Qualification achieved during his time with PWC, and with qualifications in Business Management and Strategy from Columbia University and Strategic Agility from Harvard Business School.

Fergus Bailie

CEO

Fergus Bailie has a strong commercial background, which started with a law degree at Durham University, continued with a Chartered Accountancy Qualification achieved during his time with PWC, and with qualifications in Business Management and Strategy from Columbia University and Strategic Agility from Harvard Business School.

Following 5 years at PwC in audit and mergers & acquisitions, Fergus joined Bailie Group company CDS in 2007. After a period as a Digital Consultant involved in various technology projects Fergus was appointed to the Board as Commercial Director responsible for finance, commercial contracts, HR, as well as Group responsibility for Newspress’ performance and strategic direction.

Fergus was appointed CDS MD in January 2010 and during his time, the company has experienced profitable growth in all areas of the business and diversified the service offering to existing customers as well as moving into new sectors such as Financial Services and Transport.

Having achieved growth in each year as CDS MD, Fergus took responsibility for all Group activities as Bailie Group CEO in 2017, having restructured the Group to put independent MDs and Operating Boards in place.

Fergus has a passion for entrepreneurial activities and as well as incubating several new services through Bailie Group, Fergus dedicates time to business start-ups as part of his voluntary role as Business Mentor for The Prince’s Trust, helping dozens of young people start their own business since 2010. Fergus is also the Chair of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) for Yorkshire & the Humber, providing leadership for the region's businesses and lobbying Central and Regional Government.

When not at Bailie Group, Fergus enjoys spending time with his wife Kate and 2 daughters Nora and Oona, is a huge Ulster and Ireland rugby fan, suffers through Everton matches and enjoys the occasional round of golf and bike ride!

Kieran Eblett

Kieran Eblett

CFO

Kieran brings over 20 years of experience in the finance industry at several high growth firms, including as Managing Director of a well-known lighting specialist in the retail space, Lights4Fun.

Kieran Eblett

CFO

Kieran brings over 20 years of experience in the finance industry at several high growth firms, including as Managing Director of a well-known lighting specialist in the retail space, Lights4Fun.

As an ICAEW Fellow Chartered Accountant, Kieran has played central roles within finance including at firms such as PwC, Microgard, and Northern Foods, as well as charitable work with Abriendo Mentes in Costa Rica.

With his first appointment in a finance director role at just 29 years of age, his proven track record of bringing firms to successful sale evidences his breadth of experience, promising profitable growth for Bailie Group.

Zoe Cranage

Zoe Cranage

Head of Finance

Zoe brings over 15 years of experience in finance and accounting, having held senior roles across a range of fast-growing organisations. Her career has seen her progress through positions at AMS, ALNO Kitchens UK, and Surgical Innovations Group, where she advanced to Group Financial Controller and later led the finance function.

Zoe Cranage

Head of Finance

Zoe brings over 15 years of experience in finance and accounting, having held senior roles across a range of fast-growing organisations. Her career has seen her progress through positions at AMS, ALNO Kitchens UK, and Surgical Innovations Group, where she advanced to Group Financial Controller and later led the finance function.

A qualified Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA), Zoe has built a strong reputation for financial leadership, operational efficiency, and commercial insight. Her background spans manufacturing, retail, and healthcare sectors, where she has driven improvements in reporting, governance, and strategic planning.

Now Head of Finance at Bailie Group, Zoe combines deep technical expertise with a collaborative approach to support sustainable growth and helping shape the Group’s long-term financial strategy.

Kieran Eblett

Larry Mawhinney

Group Property Director

Larry joined Bailie Group in 2013, bringing with him a diverse background and decades of hands-on experience across multiple industries. A graduate in Business and Finance, Larry began his career in the construction industry, working in both the U.S. and Ireland.

Larry Mawhinney

Group Property Director

Larry joined Bailie Group in 2013, bringing with him a diverse background and decades of hands-on experience across multiple industries. A graduate in Business and Finance, Larry began his career in the construction industry, working in both the U.S. and Ireland. These early years laid the foundation for his strong work ethic and practical skill set.

In the years that followed, Larry expanded his expertise into the catering industry, where he successfully ran his own business for many years. His time as a business owner sharpened his leadership, financial management, and customer service skills, all of which continue to inform his work today.

Eventually returning to his roots in the property sector, and since 2013, he has been responsible for Bailie Group’s property portfolio.

Kieran Eblett

Roy Bailie

OBE, CBE, Chairman

Roy, a graduate of Harvard Business School, is a well respected and experienced businessman who remains passionately involved in the activities of the Group and the wider business community.

Roy Bailie

OBE, CBE, Chairman

Roy, a graduate of Harvard Business School, is a well respected and experienced businessman who remains passionately involved in the activities of the Group and the wider business community.

Starting his print career as a hot-metal compositor, he soon developed leadership potential. In 1977 he led the management buy-out of W&G Baird Ltd from the British Printing Corporation. After forming W&G Baird (Holdings)Ltd, now known as The Bailie Group, Roy embarked on the acquisition trail, purchasing MSO Ltd in 1984, Biddles Ltd in 1989, Thanet Press Ltd and Blackstaff Press Ltd in 1995, Corporate Document Services Ltd in 2000 and Newspress Ltd in 2006. On the way a number of smaller acquisitions were also made and absorbed into existing Group companies. Roy is Chairman and majority shareholder of The Bailie Group. Roy is currently a Senate Member of Queen’s University Belfast and Chairman of Opera Northern Ireland.
Roy’s previous directorships include:
•U.T.V. (Ulster Television)
•MSO Cleland Ltd.
•BPIF
Past non-executive posts include:
•Bank of England (Court of Directors)
•Northern Ireland Tourist Board – Chairman
•British Printing Industries Federation – President
•Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland
•CBI (Northern Ireland) – Chairman
•Bank of Ireland Court of Directors
•Bank of Ireland (N.I. Advisory Board)
•Tacade (The Advisory Council on Alcohol & Drug Education)

Kieran Eblett

Colin Stirling

Non-executive Director

Having graduated from St Andrews University, Colin trained as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG where he was a founder member of the UK Regional Corporate Finance team before moving on to a twenty year career as a Private equity investor.

Colin Stirling

Non-executive Director

Having graduated from St Andrews University, Colin trained as a Chartered Accountant with KPMG where he was a founder member of the UK Regional Corporate Finance team before moving on to a twenty year career as a Private equity investor. Initially he worked for Bridgepoint in the North, London and the Benelux and then he became a partner of Spirit Capital which was a vehicle formed to acquire its direct private equity business from Aberdeen Group. Having stepped back from full time investing, Colin has more recently built up a portfolio of non-executive Chair and Director positions within both private equity backed and privately owned businesses.
Throughout his career Colin has focused on growth businesses within the B2B sector, both manufacturing and services, with a particular leaning towards situations where organic growth can be augmented by strategic acquisitions. This focus has been maintained in his non-executive portfolio where he works to assist management teams and investors to devise and deliver growth strategies.

Away from work Colin is a sports ‘nut’ sharing a passion for horse racing, football and rugby union with his wider family which dominates his social life.

Kieran Eblett

Frank Hayden

Non-executive Director

Frank brings to Bailie Group a wealth of experience, having led the strategic and operational transformation of a number of high-technology businesses, including LAND ROVER, BMW, AIRBUS, BAE SYSTEMS and ROLLS-ROYCE.

Frank Hayden

Non-executive Director

Frank brings to Bailie Group a wealth of experience, having led the strategic and operational transformation of a number of high-technology businesses, including LAND ROVER, BMW, AIRBUS, BAE SYSTEMS and ROLLS-ROYCE. He played a leading role in the launch of the BMW Mini, Airbus A380, Eurofighter Typhoon, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and Rolls-Royce engines for the Boeing 787 & Airbus A350.

He now works as a consultant and non-executive director and has served more than 300 client leadership teams, across a wide range of industries all over the world. Frank was called upon to serve the UK Cabinet Office in 2020, leading the work to accelerate the scale up of Covid-19 rapid test devices. Most frequently, he helps the owners of medium size, high-technology businesses to accelerate their business growth and resilience plans. Frank’s passion is coaching senior executive teams, to help them plan and implement ambitious business transformation strategies.