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[…]

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[…]

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[…]

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 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[…]

Reference from Managing Director, E.ON UK

Iain joined me early in 2006 on the Consumer Leadership Team at Powergen, as interim Head of Change, following acquisition by E.ON AG, the global energy group. This was at a time of increasingly competitive conditions in the Energy markets, with retail margins under significant pressure. Iain brought a wealth of senior-level experience from low-margin[…]

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[…]

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[…]

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,[…]

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[…]

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[…]