David Lilburne Email & Phone Number

Auckland

Strategic Specialists Group works alongside businesses to achieve sustainable growth and accelerate progress towards building a successful business exit. Offering access to tier one specialist expertise, our Specialists will work with you to get the business you want right now and to lay the foundations for what you want for your future.From short-term.

Auckland, New Zealand

Part time business advisory and mentoring for Business Mentors NZ, Icehouse and Contract work focusing on strategic alignment, governance, sales strategy + implementation, business transitions and supply chain integration.- Executive Coaching- Board Advisory + Independent Director- Change Management

Auckland

Privately owned SaaS business providing a national monitoring service covering Fire, Security, Environmental, Health and Facilities Management sectors. Focusing on improved governance + shareholder alignment, improved financial reporting and business strategy, developing a growth strategy + assisting with the MD with implementation.

Auckland

• Overview – An iconic Manufacturing / Wholesale business experiencing systemic decline in traditional markets, revenue and profitability (Owned initially by Office Depot then purchased by Platinum Equity - USA).
• Recruited to lead the business turnaround by re-setting strategy, divesting unprofitable segments and re-investing in new categories, brands and agencies.
• Working alongside the incumbent management team developed a transition plan in the first 3 months to return the business to profitability and to create a sustainable value proposition.
• Established a Project Management Team consisting of the wider leadership group to drive the transformation of the business, clearly communicate the strategy and celebrate the achievement of key project milestones.
• By being open and transparent gained the support of the key stakeholders for a complex change program encompassing moving some manufacturing off shore, consolidating facilities, renegotiating supply contracts, exiting.
• Initiated an insights program supported by NZTE to identify new markets, refine channel strategy and improve NPD outcomes to 8-10% of gross sales.

Auckland

• Overview – Australasian based Manufacturing / Wholesale business representing both proprietary and global brands in the HVAC and Primary Meat Processing industries (Privately owned - Auckland, NZ).
• Worked with the Board to develop a strategic plan to restructure the 3 independent business units, creating a centralized support function reducing operating costs and focusing resources on sales contribution / growth.
• Introduced new financial reporting, business intelligence tools, performance improvement framework and wider communication strategy for staff as part of a culture change program.
• Supported by NZTE / Better By Design initiated a major customer insights review to clarify a sustainable market position, identify key industry drivers and strategic direction.
• Reduced group stock holdings by rationalizing suppliers, aligning ranges between Aust. & NZ, negotiating improved terms and systematically targeting SLOB stock

Auckland

• Overview – The Workwear Group consisted of 4 business units operating in Textile sector covering Manufacturing, 3PL + 4PL Supply Chain Management and Distribution (Owned by Pacific Brands - Melbourne, Aust.).
• Managed the integration of the 4 businesses into a single market facing entity and the transition from Private Family ownership to a business unit of an ASX listed Corporate.
• Future proofed the manufacturing operation via the implementation of lean manufacturing initiatives, investing in specialist machinery, identifying new niche markets and growth opportunities.
• Re-structured the sales and marketing teams including a focus on B2B account management, new business pipeline, e-Commerce solutions and distributor support.
• Introduced a SOP process that streamlined the supply chain, achieving DIFOT improvements whilst also reducing group stock holding.
• Exited a Private Public Partnership and successfully renegotiated a $200M Prime Vendor contract over 9 years by developing a new bespoke service model for the Government channel (NZDF)

Auckland, New Zealand

• Overview – A Manufacturer / Distributor operating in the textile sector (Privately owned – Melbourne, Aust)
• Set up off-shore supply partnerships to alleviate manufacturing capacity constraints and improve margin on commodity products.
• Significantly improved financial results by expanding product ranges and negotiating new distribution channels (Rural, B2C, Contract B2B )
• Achieved ISO 2008 accreditation across our distribution, product development and manufacturing units by establishing an inclusive team culture.

• Overview - A national Retailer and Distributor of dive products and training with a local manufacturing unit (Privately owned - Auckland, NZ)
• Integrated franchise best practice for a group of Dive stores including financial reporting, business coaching and franchisee selection.
• Established in-store merchandising templates, negotiated key supplier agreements to reduce cost and establish consistent national pricing

Rotorua

P+L management, transforming the Rotorua branch that was previously making a significant loss to profitability resulting in the successfully re-integration back into the PlaceMakers Joint Venture program

Auckland

Training support and coaching for the 35 North Island branches and JV Partners

Training Consultancy based in Cape Town (SA) specializing in Business Improvement and Team Development

Corporate conferences and river rafting - South Africa

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Barcoding and pricing equipment / labels - Cape Town (SA)

Wellington, New Zealand

Trainee management program for LD Nathans - Food Supermarket - Wellington NZ

Company Directors Course, Governance Best Practice

Bcomm, Marketing, Management, Psychology

Education record