Chris Smith

Interim Manager & Programme Director | Operational Change & Business Transformation | Green Book, PPM, PMO | Cranfield Fellow (FMM) | Turning strategy into action

Caernarfon, Wales, United Kingdom

About

STRATEGY TO ACTION TO ROI A seasoned Interim Manager and Programme Director, I lead complex, high-profile transformation, driving accountability, cadence and execution across business. Whether consulting on strategy, securing funding, designing and delivering programmes, optimising operations or scaling an SME, I specialise in moving complex organisations from strategy to action to ROI. A Cranfield Fellow (FMM) with deep experience in manufacturing, healthcare, and government property, I thrive in high-pressure environments where robust governance, assurance, and controlled delivery at pace are non-negotiables. SELECTED INTERIM IMPACTS: ► Homes England | Strategic Accommodation Review & Delivery Led a board-level strategic review of regional workforce accommodation, bridging the gap between national policy and hard delivery. Authored six HMT Green Book business cases, successfully securing £115M in capital funding. Developed and operationally opened seven regional offices. ► SafetyPoint | Compliance & Commercial Scaling Led a critical business expansion, optimising the supply chain and achieving full MHRA regulatory compliance for medical device imports. Established UK warehousing and logistics infrastructure with CRM integration and implemented a new marketing strategy. Scaled operations from zero to £1.25M in stock to support rapid commercial growth. ► DWP Estates | Critical Infrastructure Established and led a major 447-site Critical Security Infrastructure programme, providing the direction, governance and PMO structure required for large-scale, national deployment. I am available for interim assignments where the complexity is high and the need for immediate leadership is critical. Let’s connect to discuss how I can help you accelerate your transformation pipeline. KEY CAPABILITIES: HMT Green Book | PPM / PMO Leadership | Operational Strategy | Lean & Six Sigma | Business Transformation | Estates & Infrastructure | Change Management | Board-Level Advisory

Experience

  • Grippi Ltd (10 yrs 10 mos)
    • Managing Director
      Sep 2015 - Present · 10 yrs 10 mos

    • Commercial Manager
      Apr 2025 - Mar 2026 · 1 yr

      Situation: Required to manufacture and bring to UK market a patented safety product and medical devices. Action: Quality controlled manufacture and import of 500 patented safety units valued at c.£1.25M and achieved full MHRA regulatory compliance for three medical devices. Clarified marketing strategy and managed delivery. Implemented Zoho CRM with Shopify e-commerce and integrated warehousing logistics. Result: Compliant stock imported and warehoused. Legal agreements struck with four major UK distributors. New website, socials and trade show campaign in place. Strong initial sales.

    • Infrastructure Programme Lead
      Feb 2024 - Mar 2025 · 1 yr 2 mos

      Situation: Required to set up and lead a c.£100M retrofit programme across 447 public-facing sites with complex supply chain and delivery requirements. Action: Enabled DWP, G4S, and Mitie to collaborate to deliver three simultaneous workstreams including 2-Way Audio, Fire Hybrid and AEGIS telephony upgrades. Result: All sites in scope delivered on time and within budget, successfully mitigating risk across the estate.

  • Founder/NED at Eryri Renewables Ltd
    Mar 2022 - Oct 2023 · 1 yr 8 mos

  • Senior Management Consultant at GE Healthcare Finnamore
    Dec 2014 - Nov 2015 · 1 yr

    Johns Hopkins Hospital (Baltimore, U.S.) PepsiCo (New York, US) Northwest London CCG Cardiff and Vale UHB

  • Guy's and St Thomas'​ NHS Foundation Trust (6 yrs 4 mos)
    • General Manager - CIO Office
      Nov 2013 - Nov 2014 · 1 yr 1 mo

    • Deputy General Manager - Divisional Turnaround
      Mar 2011 - Nov 2013 · 2 yrs 9 mos

    • Change Agent - Outpatient Transformation
      Aug 2009 - Mar 2011 · 1 yr 8 mos

  • Director of Operations at Heat Treatments Ltd
    Jan 2007 - May 2008 · 1 yr 5 mos