The Portfolio Executives

In my career, I have alternated between executive leadership roles in a succession of high-growth, innovation-led companies and freelance consultancy. I have been through the entrepreneurial journey multiple times and have learned a few tricks along the way. I have never seen a perfect management team and, whether it is about deepening or broadening the leadership team or simply providing a fresh perspective, I find building long-term relationships with the companies I work with far more rewarding than a short-term consultancy engagement.

I started my first business while still at school, at the age of 17. Since then, I have been involved with dozens of companies, driven by a fascination with markets, innovation, and finding better ways to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and facilitate growth. I have never discovered a single formula for success, but I have learned there are certain fundamental truths. With AI now reshaping our world, and data science having been at the heart of my work for many years, helping businesses achieve growth by harnessing AI feels like a natural progression.

My first real success came from my first business. I made good money from it, perhaps too much, as it had an impact on my studies. I printed handbills and employed boys from my school to deliver leaflets to residential areas and business parks. Through working closely with printers, I also became a brand advisor, developing a lifelong appreciation for details such as fonts, paper, and print quality.

Along the way, I have learned more lessons than I could ever fully relate. My failures, of which there have been plenty, have taught me far more than my successes. I have learned that adaptability is essential and that it is better to pivot than to test a failing idea to destruction. I have also learned the value of patience and of waiting to work with the right people, because the wrong people can destroy both a business and your peace of mind. I take constructive feedback seriously, but I always calibrate it by speaking to several people, recognising that everyone brings their own bias and agenda. And when the horse is dead, I have learned to dismount and find another ride.

It’s working for me now because I have worked hard to surround myself with people who not only share my ambition and drive, but also my values and commitment to personal integrity. Business is, above all, about people and relationships. It has taken me a long time to learn that sometimes the right decision is to say no, rather than invest my intellectual energy trying to fix something that is already broken.

Looking ahead, my guiding principles are to stay relevant, remain engaged in interesting and exciting projects, and continue adding value. I am a driven B2B specialist with a passion for sustainability and for making the world a better place alongside people who share my values and interests. I have always been an ideas person, so I see change as opportunity rather than disruption. I also love travelling, and meeting people from different cultures and backgrounds continues to be one of the main reasons my work has such an international focus.