I often help clients to develop and shape their strategies, whether for their overall business, a function, a process, an outsourcing opportunity, a new business venture – wherever clarity of direction is required. Here are a relevant selection of clients, case studies, references and articles about this work.
“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,[…]
“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[…]
“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[…]
“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[…]
“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[…]
I led the GO Outdoors IT function and business change programme through acquisition by JD Sports. In this article, the Financial Times confirms the CMA’s decision to approve the acquisition.
“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[…]
“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[…]
“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).[…]
“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[…]
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[…]
“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[…]
“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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
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[…]
“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,[…]
“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[…]
“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[…]
“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[…]
Iain consulted with Asda during 2002 and I am delighted to recommend him to other businesses based on the outstanding results of this assignment. The brief was to develop a business-wide customer data strategy, a complex issue to resolve when you have almost 10m customers transacting with Asda each week through a variety of channels[…]
I developed a customer data and CRM vision and strategy to create a single view of the customer across Asda’s multiple channels, product & service lines. This case study provides more detail.
Building Asda’s multi-channel retail business across web, call centre, catalogue, CD-Rom and interactive TV is no mean feet. We explain how we achieved it in a little over 12 months.