Reference from Co-op Group’s Strategy & Transformation Director

Iain is an excellent programme director whom I highly recommend. He recently supported us on a large colleague engagement initiative which needed a complete reset and replan. He quickly assessed the situation, stabilised the team and managed the replan. His particular strengths include: ability to deal with complexity, calm, thoughtful approach and pragmatic commercially focussed[…]

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Co-operative Group

“I have helped the Co-op on a number of occasions across a variety of their businesses and functions.” 2 major assignments with the Co-op were leading their supply chain transformation programme following the acquisition of Somerfield and leading their cultural change programme to support the relaunch and rebranding of the group. Programme Director – Supply Chain[…]

IKEA

“I supported the development of future proposition ideas for the IKEA Family loyalty programme.” As the world’s largest and most well known furniture & household accessories retailer, IKEA requires little introduction. With 80 million members, the IKEA Family loyalty programme is one of the largest programmes globally, yet there are always opportunities to improve. I was[…]

N Brown Group

“I consulted with this online retailer, supporting the restructure of their transformation programme.” With nearly £1 billion turnover across over 20 multi-channel retail brands, N Brown is one of the largest online retail operators in the UK. When new senior management joined the business in 2014 they engaged me to support the review of their £100m technology-enabled business[…]

Arco

“I’ve supported Arco, the B2B safety products retailer, on a number of assignments including a period as interim Change & IT Director” Arco is the UK’s number one provider of workplace safety products & services.  With over 60 stores and sales offices across the UK, this family-owned B2B retailer turns over around £300m each year (as at 2015).[…]

Reference from HR Director at Arco

Iain joined the Arco operations board at a critical time in our business development process. His ability to quickly assess the organisations complexities and make sense of the key priorities is truly impressive. He is able to blend strategic insight and operational requirements to develop business strategies that differentiate and deliver real value. I really[…]

Reference from Managing Director at Arco

Iain did a superb job for us, far exceeding our expectations. He was engaged for 9 months to help us 1) formulate an IT strategy, 2) lead the IT/Change function with over 50 colleagues and land the required organisational change, 3) support the E-commerce Director and 4) support/develop his permanent replacement in the role. This[…]

Morrisons

“I consulted with Morrisons on a variety of digital initiatives, including leading the design & delivery of a major CRM programme.” Morrisons is the 4th largest supermarket in the UK with a turnover in excess of £15bn pa and around 500 stores.  Following acquisition of Safeway in 2004 and the ensuing integration and changes in[…]

Reference from Customer Director at Morrisons

Iain has remarkable energy and tenacity. He created an excellent foundation for me in Morrisons, building the CRM capability. His knowledge and expertise in these matters is very strong, he served Morrisons well. I was very worried when he said that he had been consulting for us rather too long (over 2 years) and would[…]

Reference from HR Director at Co-operative Food

Iain is a fantastic change agent. He has a deep understanding of what makes organisations, teams and individuals tick and what hinders them from delivering on their ambition. Iain has an incisive intellect and scythes through complexity to make the options simple to realise. Iain is not afraid to be tough on the issues and[…]

Reference from Group CIO at N Brown

Iain is a real pro, one of the brightest thinkers I’ve worked with in any company. Very strategic and disciplined in his thinking, but also a real operators ability to put the ideas in to practice. An absolute wealth of knowledge and experience across many industries, I have personally consulted with Iain over the last[…]

Elexon

“I helped Elexon develop a new business strategy and proposition to strengthen its industry position” ELEXON is vital to the smooth operation of the wholesale electricity market, balancing and settling the transactions between all the electricity companies buying and selling electricity. They compare how much electricity generators and suppliers said they would produce or consume with actual[…]

Otto UK (Freeman Grattan Holdings)

“What started as a consulting brief focused on growth quickly turned into a turnaround-focused restructuring assignment.” With over €12 billion turnover through over 120 multi-channel retail brands, Otto is one of the very largest online retail operators globally. Otto acquired a number of retail catalogue brands in the UK in 1999, including Freemans and Grattans,[…]

Reference from COO at Freemans Grattan Holdings (Otto UK)

Iain is a talented Programme Manager who has the ability to operate at a strategic level but also “deep dive” to a significant level of detail. He has a hands on approach, is pragmatic and delivery focused. A very good mix of business understanding and IT knowledge. Chief Operating Officer Otto UK – Freeman Grattan[…]

E.ON

“I’ve worked with E.ON on a large number of consulting, coaching and interim assignments over a period spanning several years.” E.ON UK is the UK business of the global power and gas business, is the second largest electricity retailer in the UK with a 24% market share. E.ON sells electricity and gas to consumer and business[…]

Reference from Sales & Business Development Consultant

Iain is an excellent ‘Change Leader’ – he challenges a business, its strategy and people with a ‘can do’ attitude. Iain is a great team player who can harness the strengths of individuals to drive change and embed new thinking to achieve results. He has a great sense of humour, lots of energy and will[…]

Reference from IT Director at WHSmith Direct

Iain joined WH Smith Direct a few weeks before me. He quickly grasped the business and key issues and developed business plan initiatives. Iain is an exceptional team player and worked very hard to develop the team ethos within the management team and the wider business. Communications on KPI’s and performance improved considerably and each[…]

Reference from Head of Sustainable Energy Solutions at E.ON UK

Iain is one of the best programme managers I have come across (and there have been a few). He has the right balance between detail and big picture focus. He understands how large corporations work and is comfortable providing appropriate challenge at senior board level. He has the tool kit, worn the t shirt and[…]

Reference from Consultant at Xansa

Iain & I worked together on the MyTravel deal, which was a landmark deal for Xansa. I was hugely impressed with Iain’s pragmatic, results oriented approach. His attention to detail and ability to identify issues and escalate early were critical to the successful outcome of the programme. On a personal note, Iain is a thorough[…]

Reference from Marketing Director, E.ON UK

Iain was the lynchpin in leading the Powergen/E.ON Retail business ‘Formula for Growth’ cross-functional and strategic change initiative, which for 2007 resulted in our best Gross Margin and EBIT ever. A substantial amount of this success is due to Iain skilfully organising and driving our management team forward, including his ability to think laterally and[…]

Reference from Head of Sales, E.ON UK

Iain managed to line up a set of hybrid divisions and service units into a single unified change plan. He had enough force of intellect and personality to then keep the many competing stakeholders to that plan such that it delivered. That is the very point where most change plans fall apart, but ther was[…]

Lloyds Pharmacy

“I was engaged to review the Lloyds Pharmacy e-commerce strategy and capability.” Lloyds Pharmacy, part of the multi-national Celesio AG group, operates more than 1500 pharmacy stores in local communities and health centres turning over in excess of £1.5bn. Stores stock a range of prescription and over the counter pharmaceuticals in addition to a broad range of[…]