Delighted to be supporting the Catalyst Spirits business with full Operational management support as we seek to grow Howlerhead Bourbon and Blackeye Gin across international borders.

I use all my quality, operations, continuous improvement & entrepreneurial experience to help create innovative packaging with start-ups, global brands, agencies and suppliers alike...designed for manufacture, packaging that is creative, on brand, fast to market, efficient and cost effective. With direct packaging design agency experience, I understand the creative process and can ensure all Brand Refresh/NPD projects are optimised with supplier & production capabilities ....resulting in credible innovation that truly meets the brief. As an SME/Start Up Operations Director, I have both successfully launched a soft drinks within 6 months, and also achieved an organic food company turnaround back to profit within 12 months. Having enjoyed a career working overseas with some extraordinary global premium spirits brands, my approach as a coach is to focus on people ...helping teams deliver their best and by doing so deliver business growth and commercial success, achieved through clear leadership, direct support, personal development and risk management.

Managing the launch of new premium scotch malt innovations (Laphroaig) from within the marketing team of the Scotch, Gin & Irish Brand House (FTC)

As Operations Director, I created & implemented a strategic Operational plan, one which significantly contributed to the rapid sustainable turnaround of the Naturya Organic Superfood/Ingredients packaging business. Achieved through change management & process simplification, headcount reduction, CAPEX investment and revised ways of working (MRP implementation) with the following results : - Strategic packing Capex installation (6 fig) bringing production "in house", improving capability & significant savings within 12 months. - Major business re-engineering achieved through implementation of SAGE200/Sicon (efficiency & cost management), new warehouse management system and appropriate resource optimisation.- Overhaul planning process, aligning procurement volumes resulting in reduced stock holding (30%) throughout supply chain whilst achieving 100% OTIF (last 5 months) to all retailers and Private Label customers. - Achieved a successful Quality upgrade of packaging site to BRC8 (A) by January 2020 in line with Soil Association, Vegan society & Fairtrade requirements. - Identified a plan to move business closer to desired Sustainability ambition.

European responsibility for supply chain, outsourced production, warehousing & distribution of the Carabao product (UK & International)

Provider of technical expertise to creative packaging designers by improving concepts to ensure supplier feasibility, cost and efficiency for manufacturing, whilst remaining true to the big idea. Global support to the soft drinks, FMCG and personal care industries.

Having been involved since first concept, I enjoyed the ultimate NPD challenge...and successfully launched a soft drink from idea to market within 6 months.For sale in retail & on-trade, production of a glass, 275ml premium soft drink was delivered via single handed management of all technical aspects including creation of all production specifications, managing our production line, supplier sourcing, procurement, quality improvement, packaging development, logistics and monthly reporting to the Board....lots of learning's from the world of start up & product launch. Exposure to the subsequent management of the business taught me many lessons about sales, retailers an marketing...about how difficult it is to establish a new brand in a crowded category,how to learn from your mistakes & what really makes the difference between success & failure. Would love to share this knowledge with start ups.

Leading the structural packaging team, we created unique innovations, brought in new business and revenue whilst delivering the big brand ideas that clients valued from an award winning packaging design agency. Personally responsible for account management and technical advice on structural packaging design integrity (network of Europe, USA & Australia) to blue chip clients.Working with global FMCG clients,hosting design thinking led ideation sessions, I led the delivery of great, consumer relevant concepts that delivered on creative & technical briefs, often solving existing production issues through the power of design. Iconic consumer relevant structures invented, created & launched across FMCG & luxury segments

Global Innovation & Technology Center - leading industry R&D experts on packaging & dispense, focused on core brand innovation (Stella Artois, Budweiser, Becks)

Responsible for building the Global Packaging Development function,I employed a natural situational leadership approach to developing highly effective teams located in North & Latin America, Scotland and Europe.My remit encompassed recruiting & developing teams that delivered quality implementation of all new product development, creating a new way of working with Marketing, through to first production in factory,of all packaging related change. Brands included Grey Goose, Bombay, Martini, Dewars, Cazaderos & Bacardi Rum itself - responsible for reducing lead time to market by 50%

Global Quality Manager 12m cases site, 16 production lines & enjoyed the privilege to study quality at the Suntory University before moving to the Duty Free Marketing/Global Innovation team. There I project managed the direct delivery of creative packaging (primary but also secondary gift packs) from agency concept to launch.

Qualified Master Brewer (IOB) based at Tennent Caledonian Breweries in Scotland.Technical Production Management from Brewhouse right through to high speed canning within an Unionised environment.