James Prior Email & Phone Number

Responsible for developing and delivering The Smarty Train's (TST) projects to help clients unlock talent through advising on on talent strategy, designing training and creating unforgettable career experiences. Working with all levels of talent within an organisation, from interns and graduates through to the C-suite, my role is to make sure our we deliver our best, every single day. This means bringing the rigour of our data and science based approach together with our creativity (and some of TST's unique magic ingredients) to deliver experiential learning that has a lifespan and real value long after the learning experience has passed.

I bring 20+ years experience developing and running engagement programmes that enables companies to align leadership, embed or change their vision, strategy, culture and activate their people. I have a proven track record and a passion for effective and measurable change.

London Area, United Kingdom

At Noble Rebels we took change off the page into action on the ground. Our campaigns are viral and experiential, designed to get your people thinking, feeling and behaving like owners at work.

London

I was approached to run the communications and change management for a new transformation team for the CBRE supply chain. It’s been a great opportunity to move across to the client side and become immersed in a Global corporate culture working for the first time with procurement, the supply chain and sustainability. We have completed the transformation and I am now looking for the next challenge.

London, United Kingdom

Accelerating Early CareersI noticed that graduates were being held back in their careers due to a lack of soft skills and wanted to help. I formed a team of world class facilitators and together developed a ‘bullet four-day course’ that would accelerate their progress. It was an opportunity to set up a business from scratch, set the vision, strategies, build the team and drive the sales. We launched and ran the business for two years working with the Princes Trust, a range of businesses and schools.

London, United Kingdom

Our change management / employee engagement company developed a collaborative, creative, intelligent agile environment. I operated at board level and delivered our change programmes through all levels of corporate leadership. I spent 16 years as a key player in the company becoming a Board Director and in the process, helped quadruple the size of the business. I ran the largest clients for fourteen years. Our teams were highly effective, driven and above all, enjoyed our work.I worked across many blue-chip sectors, boardrooms and multifaceted senior leadership groups leading teams that changed corporate cultures, developed values and established corporate visions. The profit margins (c.300%) for my projects were far higher than industry norms and this was coupled with strong and consistent repeat business streams. I was responsible for the development and strategic delivery of key accounts across blue chip sectors Confectionary, Retail, Technology, Finance – Banking / Insurance and Data, Government, Utilities and Healthcare and Airports.

Cape Town Area, South Africa

Trade Marketing Manager responsible for portfolio including J&B, Smirnoff and Gilbeys Gin for South AfricaI wanted to gain International experience and work in different cultures. I was approached for the role which involved implementing strategies, working with different cultures, in townships / multicultural cities and learning to operate in an entrepreneurial environment. Was recruited to accelerate sales implementation and deliver short term sales strategies which I did across multiple brands and throughout South Africa. I was part of the transition team when Diageo took over Gilbeys Distillers & Vintners.

Perth, United Kingdom

I was responsible for The Macallan Malt Whisky distributor in the UK and worked with the distillery to embed The Macallan brand strategy/persona within the Matthew Gloag sales force to increase distribution. I had an opportunity to manage stakeholders across two companies and negotiate the inevitable organization matrix in order to align our teams to the value of the brand. Marketing into the off-trade supermarkets and on-trade pubs provided a great learning environment.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom