Business Management Consultant

Summary

A business is created when someone has a fantastic idea and the passion and drive to turn it into something tangible.  A business grows and thrives when it is supported by the right people at the right time.
All businesses, big and small, need help and support to be successful and meet the strategic aims of all its stakeholders, whatever they may be. A businesses during start-up phase needs different help and support to an established business. Changing an established business and ensuring the change sticks is different to the day to day running the business. Help and support can take many forms from mentors and coaches to consultants and accountants. However to be effective, it has to be provided by the right person, with the right skill set and experience, to address the problem at hand.

So.... where do I come in to all of this?

I'm a Business Management Consultant with extensive experience in the financial services industry across a spectrum of diverse roles including programme and change management and finance. I'm passionate about helping businesses develop and thrive, working with both start-ups and within teams in multi-national companies.

I've worked with a number of teams helping them develop plans for strategic investments: reviewing and challenging plans, costs to implement and benefits arising. In addition, I've also conducted a number of cost reviews helping develop cost management agendas and plans as well as monitoring implementation and continuing effectiveness.

Developing individuals and nurturing talent is another passion of mine. Helping others flourish in their businesses and careers and realise their potential has been an ongoing source of fulfilment and pleasure for me over a number of years. I'm often recognised as a trusted advisor and counsellor and I've coached and mentored numerous individuals across a range of circumstances from start-up entrepreneurs to graduates to middle and senior management.  

I'm a highly effective communicator at all levels, with a strong business acumen and analytical skills.  I also have excellent organisational skills, honed running programme management offices, developing and operating effective governance structures and co-ordinating and undertaking due diligence assignments.

How can I help?

I'm known for applying a common sense approach to business and I can be relied upon to quickly assess, calibrate, evaluate and implement solutions.  I've gained a broad range of experience during my career to date and can help businesses in a number of ways from short term one-off assignments to longer term management roles, depending on the nature of the support the business needs and the size of the business. If you would like to get in touch about how I could help your business, please contact me via the button above.

Timeline

  1. -
    Diploma in Legal Practice, University of Aberdeen
  2. -
    LLB (Hons) 2:1, University of Aberdeen
  3. -
    Chartered Accountant, Institute of Charted Accountants of Scotland
  4. -
    Trainee Accountant, PwC
  5. -
    Manager, Deloitte
  6. -
    Senior Manager, The Royal Bank of Scotland
  7. -
    Director, Stockbridge Business Consultant

Experience Highlights

  • Due Diligence
    co-ordinated due diligence programmes relating to equity investment in a leading uk bank
  • Talent Management
    participated in and chaired talent boards resulting in multiple talent moves across businesses
  • Strategic Investment
    challenged strategic investment programmes to ensure aligned to strategy and created value for money
  • Cost Management
    working with senior leaders identified multi £'m cost savings across a number of businesses
  • Effective Governance
    secretariat support for an executive investment committee reviewing invest funding requests >£5m
  • Recruiting & Onboarding
    lead a programme of recruitment of >100 people over a 9-month period, increasing the team by +35%
  • Business Development
    6-month secondment to stockholm to investigate project finance opportunities in the nordic region
  • Programme Management Office
    successfully ran the PMO of a ~£1bn retail bank investment programme
  • Capability Development
    analysed training requirements for 300+ people and developed cost effective training solutions

Education Highlights

  • LLB Hons (2:1)
    university of aberdeen
  • Diploma in Legal Practice
    University of aberdeen
  • Chartered Accountant
    Member of the Institute of chartered accountants scotland
  • PRINCE 2 and Managing Successful Programmes
    accredited practitioner

Interests

  • Property
    Renovations; interior design
  • Coaching and Mentoring
    Start-ups; entrepreneurs
  • Culture
    Travel; music; books; cinema

Results

  • £5m+
    operating cost saving opportunities identified
  • 75+
    strategic investment cases reviewed and challenged
  • 100+
    individuals recruited and onboarded over 9 months

Skills

  • Budgeting
  • business transformation
  • leadership
  • business development
  • PErformance management
  • Talent Management
  • Recruitment
  • Coaching and Mentoring
  • governance structures
  • Cost Management
  • Programme Management
  • Business Management

Ask laura: thoughts and opinions

What one or two key insights did you take away from last year?
  • Keep up with technology - understand how it can support you and your business.
  • Know which battles to fight - don't waste time and energy on something that has no real consequence to you.
What is one of the biggest challenges in business today?

Dealing with uncertainty and ambiguity. There are so many different factors out with your control that can influence and impact your business. Being able to accept this is a key to success.  

What is the most important element of business success?

For me there are two:

  • Having passion for what you do. Others can see it in you and it is infectious!
  • Listen to others - however you don't have to agree with everything they say.....
Why did you choose your profession?

Helping others achieve their goals, be it securing investment funding, achieving a promotion or providing insight or advice on a problem have always given me the greatest professional satisfaction.

Location

Edinburgh, United Kingdom