ABOUT
THE STORY SO FAR...
Recognised as ‘the man who fixes businesses’, I have an impressive track record in building and leading successful companies. As CEO of Porsche, Lamborghini, and BMW, I led hugely successful turnarounds. Today I remain actively involved in numerous businesses worldwide, as both an investor and founder, including the UK’s fastest-growing alternative fibre network provider.
Alongside my business successes, I am a best-selling author and advisor to numerous startups and established businesses. My most recent book, Catching Giants, is nominated for Business Book of the Year 2023.
And, of course, there are my other activities - adventuring, raising money for charities close to my heart and pushing the limits.
Ordinary people can achieve extraordinary results - I’ve proved that with teams over and over again.
CAREER – THE TRACK RECORD
Just for the record, these are some of the companies I’ve led, rescued and invested in.
Smarter Britain (current)
New venture designed to inspire the next generation of British entrepreneurs and to support the creation of new businesses. Provides a one stop solution to access to advice, mentoring and funding in a structured and simple form, Smarter Britain is targeting to support 1,000 new businesses in 1,000 days.
Inspired Leaders Group (current)
Leadership development and coaching for business revitalisation, keynote speaking and the delivery of World Class Performance for client businesses.
ITS Technology
www.itstechnologygroup.com
Fibre network provider. Major development from local communication provider to leading national telecoms business. Owner of the Faster Britain brand. Winner of 2021 Best Connectivity Provider UK, 2021 Full Fibre Innovation Award.
Amber (current)
www.ambersafety.info
Innovative technology solution that enables clients to improve safety communications and culture. Start up to market leader in 2 years. Afrisafe Shining Star winner 2021.
iCaaS (current)
www.myicaas.com
Data security and compliance platform. Ensures GDPR compliance and supports the use of data to gain competitive advantage. Start up to market leader in 1 year.
Conceptualeyes (current)
www.conceptualeyes.co.za
Creative agency specialising in corporate internal communication ensuring that the implementation of strategy is delivered and understood throughout an organisation. Finalist entrepreneur of the year South Africa.
Traderoot Technology (current)
www.traderoot.com
Major development of strategic fintech development company offering solutions across the entire value chain of financial systems, ranging from e-commerce payments to core banking and issuing. SA ecommerce Business of the Year.
Ryan Alexander Associates (sold)
www.raael.com
A pioneering team of landscape engineers who partner with leading garden designers to turn inspiring designs into remarkable outdoor spaces. Start up to UK Supreme APL Champion in 6 years.
Fairline Boats (sold)
www.fairline.com
Major turnaround and brand revitalisation of one of the UK’s premier motor yacht builders. The business was led from 10 years of losses to profit within 14 months.
Big Team (sold)
https://bigteam.co
Professional market research platform. Enabling the collation of data on client demographics and applying the results to the creation of follow-up campaigns. Bought by Mailchimp. Winner Startup Innovation award EMEA.
Achilles (sold)
www.achilles.com
Global provider of supplier risk services. Data driven insight provides users with a more secure, sustainable and better performing supply chains. Winner Sunday Times Fast Track Award.
Motoriety (sold)
www.motoriety.com
Online assistant for all aspects of private vehicle ownership providing one point interface with car dealers, repairers and services.
EurotaxGlass's (sold)
www.autovista.com
Integrated 31 companies to create the world leader in automotive data. The business was the creator and curator of vast amounts of data covering all aspects of motor vehicles.
Epyx (sold)
www.epyx.co.uk
Technology solutions enabling the procurement, servicing, repair, hire and sale of motor vehicles bringing together manufacturers, contract hire, leasing companies, repair and service networks through e-commerce and authorisation systems. Grew to 90% market share.
BMW GB
www.bmw.co.uk
Led four years of record growth, repositioned brand, rebuilt team. Revenues +80%, profitability +500%
Lamborghini GB
www.lamborghini.com
Reinvigorated the brand, transformed customer focus, developed new product strategy. From failure to profit in 3 years
Porsche GB
www.porsche.co.uk
Led company from near bankruptcy to become the UK’s most profitable car company. From customer satisfaction brand #32 to #1
News
How to be Radical
June 20, 2024I’ve always enjoyed cars – especially sports cars – and when I joined Porsche in my 20s it was the fulfilment of a long-held dream. That’s now a fond memory, but I’ve followed my passion and I am now fortunate to work with the first class team at Radical Motorsport, the world’s largest manufacturer of … Read more
Speak up!
May 6, 2024With a very busy business life working with five different companies in various roles, sometimes people ask me why I add the additional pressure of professional speaking to my schedule. It’s for the same reason I write books – to share my experiences to help other people. Helping them to avoid the many mistakes and … Read more
Values, Valued, Valuable
April 9, 2024Great players win matches, great teams win championships. In business terms that translates into winning more sales, achieving higher returns and being top of the table for customers. I see so many companies where the first, second and third consideration are the numbers and an obsession with quarterly results. But to get bigger an organisation … Read more
Are you indispensable?
February 23, 2024The recent news that HM King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer has been distressing, not least for his family, but also for the nation of which he is titular head. I sincerely hope that the treatment he receives will rid him of the disease and that he gets well soon, but his situation raised … Read more