What I offer
Hands-on, sleeves rolled up COO role
Looking for fractional/full time COO in a product-based series A/B where I work with the founders to shape strategy, take on accountability for bottom line performance, build the operating model to punch through the next level of growth and attract further investment through clean ops due diligence
Learn more
Helping businesses become exit ready
Helping small and family businesses to achieve higher valuations by focusing on EBITA execution, implementing drivers to a higher multiple and clearing the grit out of the gear box to achieve an easier sale or inward investment
Two ears and one mouth so that it never becomes lonely at the top
Highly motivated to help people achieve things they didn't think possible, to be there as the voice of experience and to help make sense of complex and simple problems. Added to which, will be a healthy dose of left-field 'what if...' whilst working through the 'so what...' together
Guiding the pathway to winning hearts and minds to do difficult things
I thrive on understanding the culture of a business to help senior leadership recognise and accept what they have to do to break down barriers and build positive, rewarding followership that leads to enduring change that everyone feels good about
Experiences
Preparing for long term growth at Gattaca, AIM-listed global recruiter
CFO: “Rupert hit the ground running and focused on delivering tangible change in manageable incremental steps. He has been excellent in helping us put structure around a long term business change programme, building a roadmap and mobilising a large number of individuals to move along that journey”
Rapid cost optimisation at Carlyle Group-owned Addison Lee
PE MD: “Rupert helped shape, drive and deliver £15m of EBIT improvements against some very short and demanding timescales. He gained credibility with both the Board and senior leadership team, helping to bring focus and accountability across a number of functions”.
Value creation at Evora Global, a global real estate ESG consultancy
Designed and delivered 100-day plan to prepare for longer term growth plan post-PE deal. However, immediately identified and delivered a number of essential operational improvements that were critical to underpinning the plan.
Scale up operations at Strat7, a FMCG data analytics consultancy
Taking grit out of the gearbox for PE-owned by upgrading back office functions through new tech and processes, thereby lowering operating cost, enabling more effective integration of acquisitions and more informed decision making
Cost optimisation exit readiness
Life sciences business looking to maximise EBITDA and ease of sale by right sizing and resetting the operating model after a period of sustained rapid top line growth
Yachtsman!
Life long passion for sailing and being on the water with stories of adventure and derring do. And in many ways sailing is similar to business - preparation, experience and navigation. Also available for skippering, ballast and informal coaching/instructing....
