how i can help you
I work closely with leadership teams to explore possible futures, design strategies for success, and deliver the change needed to thrive.
In these fast-moving times I help cut through the noise to identify what matters most to your future success, bringing clarity and focus to your strategy. An outside perspective can be crucial in challenging embedded views and assumptions, and I use this position to introduce new ideas and ways of thinking that will both inspire and provoke you and your team to think differently.
Within a simple strategy framework, I bring the tools, stories, models and insights that help address the unique context, challenges and opportunities you face. Every organisation is different, and so each programme of work is bespoke.
Synthesising information, context and trends I help guide my clients on the journey to ambitious futures with a clear strategic narrative, measurable progress, agility and focus.
If you are ready to challenge your status quo, and embrace a new future for your organisation, get in touch. For details of recent projects and testimonials, please see below.
ONGOING + RECENT PROJECTS
2021
BBI Solutions - leading the Covid-19 programme at this South Wales-based biotech firm, including projects supporting the UK Government’s testing strategy and identifying and delivering private sector contracts
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2020
BBI Solutions - leading the Covid-19 programme at this South Wales-based biotech firm, including projects supporting the UK Government’s testing strategy and identifying and delivering private sector contracts
Nesta - supporting Simpact in providing strategy, business model and horizon scanning training, advice and support to grantees on the CareerTech Challenge Fund
National Grid - working with the leadership of the Gas Transmission business to design and implement their new strategy, including the roll-out of an OKR-based performance framework. Using ‘teal’ principles to challenge current ways of working, and supporting National Grid’s drive for greater agility, resilience and staff enablement.
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2019
National Grid - working with the leadership of the Gas Transmission business to shape a new strategy addressing the transforming landscape of UK energy, and creating the change programme needed to adapt
CatSci - facilitated the design of a strategic roadmap with this fast-growing and award-winning chemical process R+D company
mind - bid strategy and commercial support on major opportunities, delivering commercial modelling training to the newly expanded business development and service design teams of this national mental health charity
Clowns Without Borders - strategy development with this fast-growing charity that helps children affected by war and disaster
School for Social Entrepreneurs - design and delivery of strategy workshops across multiple training and support programmes in the South West of England
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2018
Cohesive - developed and delivered a strategy sprint that enabled the leadership team to take their business in a new direction, developing products for new markets
Step One - strategy development to create a vision and plan for a new future for Devon-based mental health service provider
Ashley Community Housing - lead co-design of new service offer providing employers with support accessing hard to reach local communities, and drafting brochure for prospects
Grow Bristol - financial modelling support for phase 2 of growth for Bristol’s urban farming venture
Open Up Music - commercial modelling support exploring product design options for Bristol-based charity that makes learning music and performing in orchestras accessible to young disabled people
Leading Sports + Media - prepared investor deck and financial model to support start-up funding round for cycling focused sports agency
Spike Island - working alongside Resonance to explore business model opportunities for Bristol-based Film + Video business as part of social funding project
testimonials
“Over twelve months Matt worked with National Grid’s Gas Transmission business to help bring focus, clarity and alignment to our strategy. He worked across the business to identify our strategic focus areas and develop these into opportunity areas and projects that will help realise our vision.
This involved developing with the business, communicable, simple programmes of work and defining the milestones of what value these delivered to us as a business, to external customers and stakeholders, and to shareholders.
Matt also introduced and embedded a system of performance management to bring accountability and focus to activity across multiple business units. This was a cultural shift as much as a new process, through which he coached and developed diverse teams across the business to build a stronger performance culture.
Matt was a well respected and networked member of the team, bringing and sharing innovation and new insight to challenge our business in different ways of working and ideas from other industries.”
Head of Strategy and Performance, National Grid Gas Transmission
“Matt joined our enterprise-wide transformation project when we were at a crossroads. He quickly got under the skin of the challenges we faced, and was instrumental in forming a plan for action. By bringing new ideas and energy to the team he helped put us back on the road to sustainable growth and service improvement.”
Business Transformation Director, FTSE 250 business
“After two years of change caused by a merger and rebrand, we knew we needed to make some big and bold decisions about our future. Matt brought objectivity in designing our new strategy, and to engage and challenge our team. We worked together for four months in a very collaborative and inclusive manner. Matt intuitively ‘got us’ and his overall approach reflected this, adapting easily to work at all levels of our organisation.
The difficult decisions soon became welcome, and we now look to our future with clarity, excitement and determination.”
Chief Executive, Step One
“Matt did a great job in understanding our aftersales business which is increasingly a key driver of our profitability – he codified key innovations, allowing us to share this best practice across our wider business. We look forward to continuing our partnership to drive our aftersales and broader business forward.”
Head of Strategy, Inchcape Plc
“Matt worked with us to deliver a first business plan and financial model for our start-up social enterprise, and the result was crucial in us securing some early financing to start to scale up. He brought enthusiasm and positivity in addition to impressive knowledge, experience and skills and he really ‘got’ our innovative approach. We look forward to continuing to work with Matt as we go to the next level.”
Director + Co-Founder, Grow Bristol CIC