Ballyclare Group

“I supported this international group with the development of a new strategy and supporting plan” I worked with the Exec Directors from multiple countries and business units, across both Ballyclare and Simon Jersey brands, and the Group Non-Execs, facilitating a programme of workshops to develop a new strategy and underpinning programme of change.  In addition,[…]

Scott Bader

“I facilitated the revision of this chemical manufacturing group’s vision & strategy and prioritisation of their annual initiatives plan” During the Covid period of remote working, I facilitated a series of online workshops with the Group’s Exec leadership team, to develop and align behind a refreshed vision and strategy, and achieve the many functional compromises[…]

Keelham Farm Shop

“I supported the board with a demerger of the business, refinancing and plans for expansion” I supported this family owned business to manage the practicalities of a demerger of their business that they had agreed to carry out.  Once complete, I supported the CEO, new board and investors to develop an ambitious new strategy including[…]

Cromwell Tools

“I supported the board with strategy development and planning” I worked with the board of this B2B retailer of tools and other equipment and suppliers, to develop a turnaround and growth strategy, together with leadership development and coaching.  Having completed a series of workshops and parallel strategic planning, I worked with functional teams, in particular[…]

GO Outdoors Store

GO Outdoors

“I led the GO Outdoors IT function and Business Change programme through acquisition by JD Sports.” I joined the GO Outdoors executive board in 2016 as part of the team preparing the business for exit from its founders and private equity investors. Following a lengthy sale and due diligence process, including a post-sale strategy definition[…]

Co-op-store

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).[…]

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[…]

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,[…]

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[…]

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[…]

NHS Shared Business Services

“I led the business change activity for NHS Shared Business Services following its creation” NHS Shared Business Services provides Finance and Accounting services to NHS organisations. It is a Joint Venture between the Department of Health and Xansa, designed to enable NHS organisations to improve the efficiency of their finance function, and thereby free up funds[…]

Eureka!

“I enjoyed supporting this premier attraction as a Trustee and Non-exec Chair of its Trading Board.” Eureka! The Museum for Children retains the well deserved reputation as the premier educational children’s attraction and museum in the UK.  Based in Halifax and registered as a charity, Eureka! operates both the attraction itself in addition to a variety of[…]

MyTravel

“I was engaged as an associate to consulting firm Xansa to lead their transformation programme for MyTravel” Prior to its acquisition by Thomas Cook Group, MyTravel Group plc was a major retailer and operator of package holidays, with 16,000 employees, 700 travel agent shops and over £1bn turnover. Prior to its acquisition by Steria, Xansa PLC[…]

Audiences North East

“I helped the North East cultural agency develop its online proposition” Audiences North East was a regional agency set up in 2004 to increase the number and range of people engaging with cultural activity in the North East of England to the mutual benefit of audiences and cultural providers. It is the most important new cultural[…]

The Food Ferry

“I supported the directors of this online retailer with the turnaround and sale of their business.” The Food Ferry were a niche online retailer, providing customers with grocery and gourmet products.  With a range of online and offline ordering mechanisms and delivery within London through its own fleet of vehicles and outside of London via courier,[…]

IBM & SGA

“I’ve supported IBM, coaching & mentoring their account management executives, helping them adopt an SGA sales methodology” Stackhouse Garber Associates Inc is one of the United States’ premier leadership development consulting practices, with operations spanning the globe and an impressive client list. IBM Is a global services group, operating in the technology and business consulting[…]

Savola

“I advised a major Saudi group on the development of a loyalty programme and creation of a retail financial services proposition.” Savola is one of Saudi Arabia’s leading diversified groups, with a strong presence across the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa). Outside of it core market of Saudi Arabia, Savola is also present in[…]

WHSmith

“I led WHSmith Direct through the most significant period of business change in its history, delivering step change improvement in sales and profit performance”   In April 2003, I was engaged to lead WHSmith Direct through this period of significant business change and opportunity. This would allow the main board director responsible for the business to focus[…]

Marks & Spencer

“I advised Marksandspencer.com on its content management strategy” Marks & Spencer is one of the UK’s best known general retailers, with a broad range of products from clothing (number one market share) to financial services, home & furniture to fresh food. I was engaged by marksandspencer.com to carry out a full review of its content management[…]

Asda Wal-Mart

“Following a 10 year career in a variety of senior management roles, I’ve continued to consult with Asda on occasional projects.” Asda is the second largest supermarket retailer in the UK with annual sales of around £20 billion and almost 200,000 employees.  The business became part of the largest retailer in the world, Wal-mart Inc, in[…]

Coaching, Mentoring & Other Clients

“Individual clients whom I coach and mentor expect and receive total confidentiality” I have worked with a great many individuals, over 1000 business leaders and managers, in my 30 year career to date.  Many of these have been coached and mentored by me during that , as I myself have benefited from similar support from[…]