Business Consultant

Business Coach & Mentor, HR Consultant, Business Consultant

I help business owners and leaders drive improvements and efficiencies in their organisations which allows them to work on their businesses and not in them. Professionals and business owners benefit from my no nonsense approach whose main goal is to give them back the most important commodity they lose when they become 'stuck in the weeds' - TIME!

As a qualified Executive Coach, Mentor and influential leader I have adopted the same coaching approach into the World of International Sports with huge success, winning two International Global Titles in the first year of competing. With a background directing HR, lean, and business transformation processes at board and senior level within major organisations in private and public sectors globally as well as across the EU and UK&I, I am recognised for driving business and individual performance turnarounds, initiating organisational development best practice and creating fully functional and flexible management structures.

I am an expert in governance, restructuring, high performance, corporate investigations, employee relationship, rationalisation, talent identification, resourcing and performance evaluation. I tackle life and career management scenarios with meticulous strategies and proven methodologies.

Please see below some testimonials (see my LinkedIn page and web page at ).

From Dr Lee Hutchinson - Disrupting the Executive Search & Leadership Industry Board Advisor Leadership Neuroscience & Assessment Leader Career Coach to over 500 CEOs Forbes 100
"I have known John Smith since 2007 and have become a close friend and trusted advisor. Over the years, apart from being an outstanding Executive, HR Transformer and mentor, John has become someone I would direct other senior managers and executives to help 'sort out their problems'. He is a really trusted friend and confidant, someone I have the utmost respect for, and he has shown now how his skills and expertise are adaptable, transformative and relevant across the industries he serves Thoroughly recommended, the industry needs people like John Smith, I am not surprised he is recognised as one of the world's most respected leadership coaches and inspirational mentors."

Global Logistics Operations Director
"A coaching 'guru' - It's thanks to John that having taken the plunge to start my own business, his relaxed, yet professional style allowed me to focus and achieve my business and personal goals. I can't thank him enough!"

Internationally Renowned Managing Director
"A true visionary with excellent leadership ability and undeniable talent. John's commitment, passion and drive for excellence reflect everything he does and everyone he works with. He has considerable experience in driving change in both large scale and SME organisations through his unique consulting and coaching methods and a proven track record of running projects, operations and business sectors. I feel privileged to know John both personally and as a valued work associate."

2 x Olympic Athlete now Global Business Leader
"I had the pleasure of working alongside John for a number of years. John is an experienced HRM professional with exceptional communication skills which enable him to effectively engage with individuals at all levels within the organisation. His robust management capabilities have been instrumental in successfully leading departments and spearheading various projects. His adeptness in deciphering the organisational dynamics has led to the optimisation of structures and work processes. My experience collaborating with John was nothing short of positive; he consistently delivers on his commitments, ensuring that all tasks are completed with impeccable quality, within the designated timeframe and scope. I wholeheartedly recommend John for a wide array of HRM related roles, given his demonstrated proficiency and valuable contributions to the organisations he has served."

Stuart Hutcheson - 2 x International Major Winning Blind Golf Champion
"18 months ago, I turned to John to help me achieve what I considered to be the impossible. I am blind, I had just retired from work due to ill health and I wanted to learn to play golf. I had not hit a golf ball in over 25 years and then I could see! John brought his innovative business coaching and mentoring skills and worked on my mental game as much as my swing. He made a plan and then ensured I not only delivered but massively over achieved. What John has helped me achieve in 18 months is nothing short of miraculous. In my first full year of competition, I have now won two International Major Titles (The British Open & The Irish Open) and I have represented my country in an International Match in Scotland. John has been alongside me the whole way and always will be. It's no wonder individuals he works with in his business life are so successful. He leaves a trail of success wherever he goes."

Experience AHGms Ltd

Owner / Director
1 - 5 Employees • 2015 Present

Interim CEO - Barbican Investments
September 2022 - April 2023. Following the acquisition of a major UK logistics organisation with an £85m turnover, I led the team as Interim CEO through the critical transition phase. This period included the launch of a brand new third party logistics division incurring over £1.3m of initial startup costs while maintaining profitability in the legacy business.

Americold - Senior Business Consultant
Dec 2021 - Jul 2022. Supported European executives through various projects and US integration programs. Worked closely with the European executive team on the introduction of Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) and faced major compliance and acquisition related investigations.

Portfolio - Strategic Transformation Consultant
Feb 2020 - Dec 2021. Worked with six SMEs across the UK in manufacturing, automotive, logistics, interior design and software, providing restructuring, re organisation and growth support during the Covid 19 period.

AGRO Merchants Group - Interim UK & I HR Director
Oct 2018 - Feb 2020. Led the UK & I transformation and integration of four businesses acquired by a PE backed global leader, including a turnaround project for a distressed business, establishing senior management teams and business divisions, and executing development programmes.

• Saved £300k through establishment and leadership of senior management teams and business divisions.
• Designed and established performance management programme across Europe to gain maximum business growth and improve business performance.
• Restructured senior management and operating teams across three business units in NI & ROI.

North Wales Police - Interim Head of People & Organisational Development
May 2017 - Oct 2018. Conducted strategic review of people and organisational development functions, established a shared service centre, and delivered modernised medical services, creating a suite of welfare services for the complete force and modernising the recruitment and promotion processes.

• Saved over £750k per year by completing T&C review for over 1,200 police staff focusing on consultation, change and communication programme.
• Led a highly talented team of over 90 including a shared service centre, recruitment team, operational HR, training and medical services staff.

Dairy Crest (Kirkby, Liverpool) - Interim HR Consultant
Jan 2016 - Mar 2017. Part of a two man executive team that managed a successful site turnaround within a 9 month window in a heavily trade united environment, implementing lean methodology across the facility.

• Enhanced site performance by over 30% by delivering full lean training programme for all staff.
• Received Marks & Spencer's Silver award by resourcing and managing key IR/ER cultural alignment projects, returning the site to a positive status.

Education History Fellowship in Manufacturing & Business Management

Cranfield University

Mechanical Engineering

John Moores University, Liverpool

Qualifications

• Master of Business Administration: Cranfield University Fellowship in Manufacturing & Business Management
• BEng Hons in Mechanical Engineering: John Moores University, Liverpool
• OND & HNC in Mechanical Engineering

Qualifications / Associations

• ILM - Level 7 Executive Coaching & Mentoring
• Former Non Executive Director - Knowsley Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• Former member of the National Skills Advisory Panel (Independent Government Body)
• Fellow of the Association of Manufacturing Management (FMM)
• Member of the Institute of Interim Managers (IIM)
• Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT)
• Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD)

Clubs and Associations

Advisor to the board of England & Wales Blind Golf - Registered Charity.

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