Michael Van Aken

Michael Van Aken Email and Phone Number

London, GB
Michael Van Aken's Location
London, England, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
About Michael Van Aken

I specialise in operational and financial performance improvement and value creation, particularly for PE-owned SMEs within the B2B manufacturing and commercial services sectors. My expertise lies in:• Turnaround & transformation of operational performance.• Implementing operational excellence in environments with large hourly workforces• Post-merger integration, ensuring smooth and efficient consolidation.I possess expertise in:• Developing operational strategy to drive efficiency and growth.• Harnessing software solutions to enhance productivity and service delivery.• Creating and implementing target operating models to facilitate change management.• Improving processes and ways of working.My approach combines the expertise of Big Four consulting frameworks with hands-on CEO-level implementation experience. I utilise structured frameworks, financial modelling, and strong facilitation skills to engage teams and achieve desired strategic outcomes.

Michael Van Aken's Current Company Details
VA Collective Limited

Va Collective Limited

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Principal
London, GB
Michael Van Aken Work Experience Details
  • Va Collective Limited
    Principal
    Va Collective Limited
    London, Gb
  • Wymering Mansions Limited
    Chairman Of The Board
    Wymering Mansions Limited Sep 2024 - Present
    London Area, United Kingdom
    Residents' Management Company serves leaseholders of a prestigious residential estate of 190 flats in London. The aim is to maintain and enhance the estate's value.• Oversee managing agents, planned preventative maintenance projects, upkeep and maintenance. Develop financial plans, engage residents to foster community involvement and satisfaction, and ensure compliance with statutory requirements.
  • Va Collective Limited
    Director
    Va Collective Limited May 2024 - Present
    London Area, United Kingdom
    Independent Consultant and Fractional/Interim Executive enhancing operational performance, facilitating post-acquisition integration and strategic project execution for SMEs in PE-owned manufacturing, commercial services, and insurance broking sectors. Citizen of the United States and the United Kingdom, with the ability to work in both countries.
  • Air Fayre
    Non Executive Chairman
    Air Fayre Jan 2024 - Present
    Greater Los Angeles, California, United States
    As Non-Executive Chairman, provide strategic guidance and partner with the CEO to drive initiatives to improve operational performance, improve cost structure, and expand with new markets and customers.
  • Air Fayre
    Executive Chairman
    Air Fayre Jun 2022 - Dec 2023
    Greater Los Angeles, California, United States
    Provide strategic guidance, oversight, and support to the COO and management team. Support development and implementation of strategic plan. Monitor company financial and operational performance. Act as mentor and advisor, regularly discussing company's progress and challenges.
  • Air Fayre
    President & Chief Executive Officer
    Air Fayre Aug 2019 - Jun 2022
    Greater Los Angeles, California, United States
    A PE-backed Inflight Caterer serving the largest passenger and cargo airlines out of Los Angeles, Indianapolis, and Memphis. Responsible for all aspects, including P&L, operations, business development, compliance, and support functions. Recognized as the top operational hub in the network by the top 3 airline clients.
  • Air Fayre
    President & Coo
    Air Fayre May 2018 - Jul 2019
    Greater Los Angeles, California, United States
  • Air Fayre
    Chief Strategy Officer (Cso)
    Air Fayre Mar 2017 - Apr 2018
    Greater Los Angeles, California, United States
  • Towergate Insurance
    Director Of Business Improvement And Transformation
    Towergate Insurance 2015 - 2017
    London, United Kingdom
    Led the development of the Finance Transformation roadmap, implementation plan, and business case for an insurance broker formed from 300 acquisitions to eliminate duplication, create scale, and improve management control.
  • Brightarch
    Non-Executive Board Director
    Brightarch Aug 2012 - Sep 2016
    Oslo Area, Norway
    NED for a start-up consulting firm specialising in managing data for talent integration in large-scale mergers of equals. Provided input to development of proprietary software platform that visualises and analyses organisations, enabling clients to track organisational changes and make informed decisions about talent integration.
  • Arthur J. Gallagher International
    Director Of Business Transformation And Improvement
    Arthur J. Gallagher International 2012 - 2015
    London, United Kingdom
    Led post-integration activities for insurance broker during rapid growth, standardised integration process to accelerate M&A cycle and improve visibility, and integrated several multi-million-dollar acquisitions over 18 months.Guided transformation of Finance operations to consolidate resources from 8 sites to 2, leading employee consultation to rationalise staff costs by 40%+ and consolidate 120+ roles in UK and India in 10 months.Launched integration of Canadian broker with 650 staff across 28 sites; introduced shared service centres for Finance, IT and HR and launched streamlined operating model for small transactions and standard broker management system.
  • Collinson Grant
    Director, Management Consulting
    Collinson Grant 2011 - 2012
    United Kingdom
    Embedded resource supporting C-suite teams, executing business change and transformation programmes, implementing operational strategy, restructuring, and operational effectiveness. Responsible for leading the engagement team, achieving client success, and developing additional business. Representative accomplishments:- Led operational turnaround for ceramic tile manufacturer. Developed and implemented improvement roadmap including a new leadership team, process standards and controls, new machinery and maintenance planning system, spare parts, and products re-designed for manufacturability. The result was a return to profitability and a 20% increase in output.- Optimised product portfolio of FMCG contract manufacturer. Categorised products by profit and differentiation and estimated financial impact of culling products. For remaining products, investigated potential to harmonise specifications and materials. Led to dropping of whole categories and reorganisation by geography.
  • Technicolor
    Vice President Of Business Improvement
    Technicolor 2009 - 2010
    Paris Area, France
    For €2.4 billion provider of entertainment video services and home networking devices, worked with Business Units and Functions to improve time to market and cost competitiveness. Results included restructuring HR and a new product development roadmap for the set-top box business.
  • Collinson Grant
    Senior Manager, Management Consulting
    Collinson Grant Jun 2004 - Feb 2009
    United Kingdom
    Led consulting engagements to develop and implement operational strategy and restructure to improve productivity and growth. Representative accomplishments:- Executed complex statistical analysis of 1M+ transactions for commercial washroom services client wanting to increase customer retention to diagnose root cause of high attrition; created financial models to support investment to improve retention and grow profitability. Developed and launched call centre and service delivery projects, reducing attrition by over 30%.- Led a carved-out of ferry operation from a cruise line ahead of a merger, acting as interim COO.- Developed activity-based costing model for pigment manufacturer to enable more significant profit and pricing insight and improved business decision-making.- Organisation restructuring for an aero-engine manufacturer to streamline decision-making while realising a 5% reduction in staffing.
  • Becogent Ltd
    Interim Chief Operating Officer
    Becogent Ltd Nov 2003 - Apr 2004
    Glasgow, United Kingdom
    Customer contact/call centre operator, with 1300 employees and 2 sites. Introduced Lean Six Sigma and initiatives to improve sales per call and agent retention.
  • Saint-Gobain / Certainteed Insulation
    Vice President, Finance And Strategic Planning
    Saint-Gobain / Certainteed Insulation Jan 2001 - Nov 2003
    Greater Philadelphia Area
    For $600 million building insulation division in $28 billion company, responsible for strategic planning, budgeting, financial analysis, and accounting. Implemented monthly financial performance reporting to drive improvement.
  • Pricewaterhousecoopers
    Senior Manager, Consulting
    Pricewaterhousecoopers Sep 1996 - Jan 2001
    United Kingdom
    Lean operational process expert and on-site leader with multiple manufacturing and commercial services clients. Developed, modelled, and implemented lean processes that improved productivity by up to 20%—restructured organisations to optimise costs, resulting in up to 15% savings.
  • Altria (Formerly United States Tobacco Company)
    Manager Of Manufacturing Strategy
    Altria (Formerly United States Tobacco Company) Aug 1990 - Aug 1995
    Greater New York City Area
    Developed manufacturing strategy for network of three large factories producing $1.1 billion in revenues, including target manufacturing capacity, performance improvement targets, and launching projects to achieve targets.
  • Altria (Formerly United States Tobacco Company)
    Plant Manager
    Altria (Formerly United States Tobacco Company) Sep 1988 - Aug 1990
    Glasgow, United Kingdom
    Managed a factory/distribution centre with 40 employees that served European markets. Responsible for production, maintenance, quality, cost, and procurement.
  • Altria
    Process/ Project Engineer
    Altria Sep 1982 - Sep 1988
    Greater Nashville Area, Tn
    Responsible for designing, building, modernising and start-up of FMCG processing and packaging lines and facilities for operations producing $1 billion in goods annually. Accomplishments included a new Plastic Injection Moulding operation producing 1 billion parts per year and a new UK factory.
  • Altria (Formerly United States Tobacco Company)
    Engineering Intern
    Altria (Formerly United States Tobacco Company) 1979 - Sep 1982
    Greenwich, Connecticut, United States
    Summer intern for 3 years supporting the Director of Construction and Manager of Engineering. Created mechanical drawings to support construction and engineering projects.

Michael Van Aken Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Michael Van Aken

What company does Michael Van Aken work for?

Michael Van Aken works for Va Collective Limited

What is Michael Van Aken's role at the current company?

Michael Van Aken's current role is Principal.

What schools did Michael Van Aken attend?

Michael Van Aken attended Vanderbilt University, Lafayette College, Greenwich High School.

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