Rowland Smith Email & Phone Number

Bury St Edmunds, Gb

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, Uk

Logistics modelling & data analysis/visualisation - It is perhaps surprising that even today most Logistics operators rely on hearsay to assess performance. Whist some may lack data, most have a surplus, but of a form that is inconsistent, unreliable and difficult to assimilate and analyse, let alone visualise. Data Science now provides methods to approach big data but the practical issue of reliable capture and aggregation to reflect events still forms a precursor requirement. For me, it was a joy to both tackle the intellectual and practical challenges of this as well as getting back into coding and data analysis, plus utilise the new breed of visualisation products.Concept Development - created proposal document for 'boat sharing as a service' idea, including operational overview, full cost analysis, pricing models and partner strategy, in consultation with CEO for leading EU Yacht Brokerage NetworkTender response preparation - developed high level vision, integrating input from multiple disciplines and presenting in one voice for £5M integrated web/mobile ticketing and customer care system, leading to contract award.Business Planning - development of Business Plan and Financial Model for renewable energy business seeking to implement vertical axis turbine (VAT) array off Isle of Wight, UK. Projections for full scale implementation with subsidy based revenues as well as early stage seed financing and DECC/TSB grant application.Funding Applications - research, writing and submission for SMART awards from InnovateUK.Market entry and Brand development - market planning for startup Motorcycle rental business. Identification of target client sectors and development of propositions and channel strategy. Sourcing Web/SEO partner with ongoing guidance on pricing, product development and marketing strategy. Company originally formed for contract based Telecoms Consultancy, largely dormant until 2013.

Suffolk / Uk

Development and management of specialist marine consultancy providing B2B and B2C support for importers of recreational water craft from outside the EEA (predominately USA), to Europe. Core services cover Post Construction Assessment (PCA) to demonstrate compliance with the EU Recreational Craft Directive (RCD) 94/25/EC as amended 2003/44/EC (replacement 2016 by 2013/53/EC) in conjunction with UK based Notified Body (HPiVS 1521). Support services include selection, buyer support, transportation and end-to-end project management from origination USA to delivery within EEA. Geographic scope covers USA and all EEA states. Compliance covers sailing and motor craft, all Design Categories (A-D).Though technically still active, US imports have now dried up, driven by an unfavourable exchange rate, Brexit uncertainties and an extra 25% import levy (bringing import taxes to just shy of 47%). Well done Mr Trump.

Uk

CE Proof (now under new ownership) operates a franchise network providing (CE) compliance services to the recreational marine sector. It also markets the CE-Pro application used by inspectors and larger boat builders to process and document RCD compliance. After joining during a period of turmoil, I was able to assist in developing future strategy as well as enhancing accountability and control within the franchise base, prior to departing to pursue my own non-franchise route through Gablemarine.

Basingstoke, Uk

Euphony is/was a Multi-level Marketing (MLM) business, predominantly providing consumer telecoms products through a network of door to door sales representatives (Business Consultants). The MLM network resembles a pyramid with commission revenues focused towards those at the top. As consultant supporting the Product Director and CEO (both previous colleagues) I was directly responsible for the negotiation and implementation of Orange Mobile products (then the only non-Orange UK reseller channel) as well as Meteor Mobile in the Republic of Ireland. This role also required direct applications development to facilitate the transfer of order data to the mobile supply chain. I also renegotiated carrier wholsale contracts in support of fixed line services (saving £3m pa), led the introduction of VoIP services and managed the introduction of viral marketing capabilties as part of a varied role bringing new products and proposition to market.

Chedburgh, Nr Bury St Edmunds, Uk

SMD designs and manufactures custom sensors to measure force and pressure. It is headquartered in the USA. The UK operation had around 20 employees, mostly in assembly and operates a clean room manufacturing space. T/O £3M.As MD I inititated a program of upgrades, both at systems and process levels resulting in significant improvements in turnaround, customer support/satisfaction and quality, with much improved control of materials, WIP and spares stock. A refreshed and focussed web presence along with more consistent approach to lead generation and closing started to show revenue growth, in spite of increased competition from Far Eastern suppliers.

Richmond, Uk

Alpha provided pre-paid consumer telecoms products, predominantly card based using a 1xxx access code to route cheaper international voice calls. A range of cards targeted specific, largely ethnic customers, delivering service to specific countries or regions. My role was to deliver complementary products to upsell as well as stretch the existing customer demographic. This included full NPD cycle development from idea generation, through feasibility study, business case/plan development and implementation using a multi-gate approach. Products launched included pre-paid internet access, mobile routing and basic VoIP services. Alpha was purchased (£200M) by Tele2 which moved NPD outside the UK, thus making my position redundant.

Canary Wharf, London, Uk

Digiplex was set up to create a network of large co-location (data) centres around Europe, the largest of which was in Dusseldorf (500,000 sq ft). A key consideration is the supply of power and redundant data interconnects. My role was to liaise with wholesale carriers to secure redundant high capacity bandwidth as well as develop a range of commercial propositions based on varying levels of fit out from open space to fully services rack space.

London, Uk

Iaxis was a start-up led by an ex-WorldCom Director. It aimed to provide wholesale bandwidth, predominantly within Europe, to B2C carriers. Whist others, eg Viacom sought to lay multiple fibres to deliver the anticipated boom in demand, Iaxis leased single fibre pairs and employed DWDM (Dense Wave Division Multiplexing) technology to meet anticipated demand (at that time DWDM supported 2Tbps on a single pair which equated to all European voice traffic). My role was to develop the propositions to target customers, package the offerings and develop and manage pricing in support of sales and marketing activities. This covered bandwidth products from DS3 to STM16 both within Europe and on trans-atlantic routes for rental and long term (IOU) agreements. Iaxis went into administration, in spite of prior interest from an M&A partner.

Cambridge, Uk

As the largest ever UK startup, this has to be one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my working life. Taking on the might of BT in the B2C space, in a period when consumers were only just getting used to being able to buy their fixed line phones from suppliers other than BT. Every day was a blank sheet. Ionica designed and implemented FRA (fixed radio access) technology enabling an aerial at home to link (via line of sight) to a local base station and thence to a national trunk network through a series of interlinked Nortel switches. Every system was designed in house and was packed with innovation. The main SMS (service management system) controlling everything from prospect management through equipment installation and billing still lives today as the mainstay of the Convergys integrated telecoms platform. My role started as being responsible for developing a data warehouse of reporting information, with a mix of raw and processed data, along with a BusinessObjects based reporting service used company wide to track performance and manage the business. This further developed to acting within the business improvement group to identify sources and drive the utilisation of operational data, KPI and other management information in support of business initiatives across all areas. Ionica fell victim to ill-informed bankers and imported indecisive management (ex BT). Great company, generally great people, inspiring creator.

London, Uk

Returning to Conoco after MBA, this time in a financial rather than systems role, preparing monthly board reports whilst also overseeing partner accounts for a number of gas development fields in the Southern North Sea. Not the most rewarding experience in spite of implementation of SAP across the UK business. Escaped when business relocated to Aberdeen to refill creative tanks designing and building (from scratch) a new kitchen for London flat....

London, Uk

Downstream Oil & Gas. Joined to support users of PC based computing technology (no plug & play then) as part of PC support unit. Eventually tired of technology focus and left to pursue business education through full time MBA (later returning after successful completion).

London, Uk

PLC was a major reseller of business PC's and networking solutions, predominantly IBM and Compaq based. My role was supporting sales in ensuring what was being offered was actually possible, as well as assisting with implementation. BA was the main account.

Suffolk, Uk

Team based development of Stock Broking systems in the 'C' programming language.

Harlow, Uk

Responsible for technical support of BP tanker fleet and emergency support vessel (Iolair). Computer based analysis. Development of analytical software for Catenary Mooring Systems and Dynamic Positioning of Semi-submersible rig. Expert witness analysis.

Various

Summer / Sandwich course industry placements1984 - Cammell Laird Shipbuilders - 6 months1983 - Lloyds Register of Shipping (Special Projects Group) - 3 months1982 - British Shipbuilders Hydrodynamics Ltd (Tank Testing) - 6 months1981 - Starberry Ltd (builders of racing multihulls) - 6 months

Mba (Full Time), Business

Activities and Societies: Sailing Crew Member - Inaugural Cranfield MBA Regatta 1991 (1st) Skipper Cranfield Alumni Yacht - Rolex MBA.

Cim Diploma In Marketing (Dipm), Marketing/Marketing Management, General, Pass

Activities and Societies: Sailing (initiated annual UK MBA regatta - won in first year) MBA (full time)

Naval Architecture, Naval Architecture And Marine Engineering

Activities and Societies: Sailing Team BSc Naval Architecture

Diploma In Naval Architecture (Sandwich), Naval Architecture And Marine Engineering, Distinction

Activities and Societies: Sailing Diploma Naval Architecture