Manchester Area, United Kingdom
Commercially minded business leader with over 30 years of experience driving growth, transformation and scale across B2B environments and international markets. Brings a pragmatic, hands-on approach shaped by a blend of corporate, founder-led and private equity-backed settings. Focused on unlocking performance through go-to-market strategy, commercial effectiveness and delivering results that create long-term value. Trusted partner to boards, investors and executive teams in shaping strategy and leading businesses through complex change - from international expansion to cost optimisation and exit preparation. Committed to continued executive development, with a focus on value creation, strategic leadership and enterprise transformation. Specialities include: + Marketing - From NPD to life cycle management + Strategy - Development & Execution (P&L) + Leadership - General organisational management + Sales Management - Delivering sustainable results
Appointed by the Founder & CEO with full responsibility for strategy, sales and marketing, business intelligence and day-to-day operations across EMEA, leading organisational scale-up and strategic growth. I led the creation and execution of the Group’s Value Creation Process and 10-Year Strategic Plan, scaling recurring revenue and transforming the business from a UK distributor into a pan-EMEA software delivery platform. Under my leadership, the company delivered consistent double digit YoY organic growth, completed and integrated seven acquisitions, and embedded a unified operating model and brand. I built a scalable commercial engine, launched data-driven business intelligence capabilities, rebranded the Group, and repositioned QBS as a strategic partner of choice. I strengthened relationships with key VARs including Softcat, CDW, Bytes, Computacenter, SoftwareOne, SCC, SHI and Crayon, and deepened partnerships with publishers such as ShareGate, TeamViewer, JetBrains, Bluebeam, Nitro, Miro, Smartsheet, Delinea, DocuSign, Check Point, Forcepoint, Trend Micro and RealVNC. Alongside growth, I led the development of a new Employee Value Proposition, compensation framework, OKRs and leadership behaviours, achieving Investors in People Gold accreditation and securing ISO 9001 certifications to strengthen governance and execution discipline. Throughout, I maintained a sharp focus on operational excellence, sustainable scaling, and partner success — building QBS into the partner of choice across EMEA.
Appointed by the Founder and CEO to advise on growth strategy, value creation planning and commercial scaling opportunities. Recommended enhancements to governance structures, commercial operations, marketing and organisational design, leading to full-time appointment as Group Chief Operating Officer in January 2021
EDM Group manages and automates workflows involving data and document management, delivering high levels of efficiency, compliance and end-consumer service. The Group serves focused set of established B2C industries that are facing into disruption and automation – in particular Financial Services, Auto and Healthcare.
Member of the London-based Consumer Management Team, with full P&L responsibility for Sales and Marketing across EMEAI (UK, France, Germany, Austria, Russia, Italy, Ireland, India). Delivered £3M+ new business revenue by securing key retail and distribution partnerships across major DIY, value, grocery and e-commerce channels. Won new business with leading distributors and retailers, including Toolbank, Stax, Decco, Robert Dyas, Robinson Young, Ryman, Kingfisher Group (B&Q, Screwfix), Homebase, Wickes, Leroy Merlin, Hornbach, OBI, Bauhaus, Woodies, B&M, Home Bargains, Poundland, Poundstretcher, The Range, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Lidl, Aldi, John Lewis and Amazon (UK, EU, India). Led the launch of sector-specific new product development (NPD) programmes under brands such as Petface®, Stayhold™ and Araldite®, delivering an additional £1.5M+ in turnover across European markets. Recruited, developed and led multi-disciplinary commercial and marketing teams across EMEAI, improving morale, performance and market responsiveness.
With strong commecial expertise in products and services helped my client with actionable recomendations for sales and marketing functions. Deisgned commercial operating model with multi-channel strategy to deliver long-lasting results (lead conversion to loyalty). Kicked off the Vision 3-5 years with end-to-end understanding; Segment / Trade strategy (incl. product / resource investment; Market evaluation and growth strategy.
Member of the Executive Management Team, accountable for Marketing, Sales Support and Procurement operations, leading a team of approximately 40 with full P&L accountability. Developed a three-year growth strategy focused on product and segment leadership; strengthened brand consistency across communication materials, internet and social media. Spearheaded NPD initiatives including the launch of an award-winning excavator breaker, generating industry-wide cost savings of over £1M annually (Winner of the CN Commercial Innovation Award 2016). Enhanced customer insight through CRM initiatives covering over 25,000 customers, significantly improving sales efficiency and targeting. Managed procurement of 20,000 assets with annual CapEx exceeding £60M, working with global suppliers including JCB, Caterpillar, Tadano, Terex, Liebherr and Generac.
Led strategic transformation projects to reposition the business towards enhanced EBITDA contribution, working closely with the Board on execution. Managed divestment of low-returning business units (e.g., accommodation and operated plant services) and reallocated investment into high-return asset classes (£10M+ reinvestment). Developed and executed a crane strategy, shifting fleet composition towards larger tonnage cranes, with plans for fleet expansion over three years. Directed strategic acquisitions, including the purchases of Interlift (lifting solutions) and Firefly (hybrid generator rental assets), enhancing Hewden’s specialised services portfolio. Promoted to lead broader marketing and sales support functions following successful project implementation.