After a finance career at several different companies (including Cadbury Schweppes, Debenhams, The Burton Group, Diageo (United Distillers and Guinness), Allied Domecq Wines & Spirits and Fosters), Chas Howes’ last major role was as CFO for Superdry, where he saw the business grow from £25m in 2007 to £314m in 2012. After leaving Superdry under a cloud following three profit warnings to the City of London, Chas descended into a gravity well of depression which lasted four years. He was diagnosed with clinical depression, in December 2016 and began the long road to recovery. As part of the recovery, Chas has found a passion and purpose in his life about changing attitudes to mental ill health. He has authored a book about his story, is embarking back on the speaker circuit, and is hosting a weekly radio show on FUBAR Radio which discusses mental wellbeing and attitudes to mental health in business.
