Theory is useful, but practical experience is what really makes the difference.
Our business growth advisors enjoy delivering client outcomes for SMEs. ‘The Herd’, as they’re known, don’t just have strong knowledge of the theory of running a profitable business, they’ve also got real-life experience. They’ve led businesses, managed teams, worked in different territories, overseen expansions and headed-up turnarounds. They are in a position to help you see what you’re doing well, what you could do better, and where that could take you.
Join us
If you have senior client-side or consulting experience and are excited to work on some of the toughest challenges in today’s SME sector, we would like to get to know you. Click the button below to start discussions about joining the Team.
Case studies
Our clients are happy to share their successful experiences of working with Elephants Child and how it has benefited them and their business.
Whatever the size of your business, or the sector it is in, our business advisory processes will ensure you gain absolute clarity on what can be achieved, and can come away with a plan of how to take the necessary steps.
Whether you’re just looking for initial advice, or ongoing support, we can help.
Our advisors are chosen for their ability to both challenge and support.
When you come on board as an Elephant’s Child client, you’ll be matched to the advisor that is the best possible fit to help you achieve the future you want. This relationship can last from months to years so it’s important that they’re a good fit – both in personality and in experience.
Our advisors are chosen for their ability to both challenge and support – something that, in our experience, business leaders value in equal measure. We’ll challenge you to achieve objectives that you might have thought were beyond you, whilst supporting you to know that you have the capability to overcome them and rise to the opportunity.
The Herd
One of these Elephants could be your key to growing revenue, streamlining processes, increasing enterprise value, and ultimately increasing shareholder or owner’s wealth.
Martin Brown
Chief Executive Officer
Martin Brown
Chief Executive Officer
Martin BrownMartin helps UK SME businesses grow the value of their business.
During his career Martin has been an entrepreneur, partner, GM, MD, CEO, HOO, and business developer. His passion is to help clients grow with value and create successful outcomes to stimulate and enable their lives.
Martin has pioneered a way of thinking, a growth framework to focus business leaders to; drive value, achieve high impact growth, accelerate business development and enjoy profit. Underpinned by a BA (Hons) degree in Business and Finance from Southampton Solent University, and MBA from the University of Southampton.
Outside of work he enjoys the nonsense of socialising with friends and is keen to get back to cycling and the gym.
Natalie Brewer
Chief Operating Officer
Natalie Brewer
Chief Operating Officer
n.brewer@elephants-child.co.uk
Natalie is a highly motivated, creative, goal oriented professional with over 15 years experience in business. She has worked with a number of UK SME’s as well as global corporations from telecommunications and electronics manufacturing companies to government agencies and children’s food companies in senior positions within business development, sales and marketing. Natalie has also headed up sector skills groups and contract managed what was, Business Link Wessex programmes such as Investors in people, as well as the Apprenticeship Scheme and Adult Learning projects. Natalie has been working with Martin for eight years in pioneering an advisory framework to focus leaders to drive value in their businesses.
As well as her passion for business, she enjoys outdoor pursuits such as long walks in the Forest and beach and taking long bike rides with family and friends. She supports the HoneyPot Children’s Charity through running weekend events to help young children who have become carers themselves. She has a passion for European Cuisine and travel and enjoys winding down with a good book in the evening.
Richard Murray
Chief Commercial Officer
Richard Murray
Chief Commercial Officer
r.murray@elephants-child.co.uk
Prior to joining the Board here at Elephants Child over eight years ago, Richard practised as a litigation Solicitor for over 20 years. For 13 of those years he experienced life as an SME owner, as the managing partner of a high street practice. During this time Richard saw many of the challenges that are faced by our clients on a daily basis. Richard then became a Director with a national law firm, which gave him knowledge and experience in the management of larger corporations.
Richard has added to his Board experience with Non-Executive positions and as the Chair of a Board of Trustees for a Multi Academy Trust based in the West Midlands. He held this latter position for over four years whilst the Trust went through significant growth and reorganisation.
Richard’s role in Elephants child is our Chief Commercial Officer. He still enjoys his work in an advisory capacity, with his own SME clients in numerous sectors, ranging from professional services to manufacturing and retail, as well as advising within a FTSE 100 business
His style is based on his strong analytical focus, coupled with excellent problem solving and communication skills. He combines academic rigour with real hands on experience of the SME journey
In his time away from work, Richard likes to tackle challenges in aid of charity, that is when he finds the time away from acting as an unpaid chauffer for his children. His current attempts to master the ukulele are being hampered by his innate lack of musical ability!
Nick Hunt
Chief Strategy & Impact Officer
Pat Freshwater
p.freshwater@elephants-child.co.uk
With an extensive multi-sector career as an international business professional working in the corporate and SME sectors, Patricia’s success as an effective business coach and facilitator, is born out of her joy in witnessing the transformational change in the mindset of people, in organisations that start to behave with strategic intent.
A strong business focus, coupled with an aptitude for rapidly enabling companies to realise their potential, Patricia is able to quickly build relationships based on trust and respect. She understands the need to communicate simply and effectively at all levels, adding value to every task, improving productivity and leading teams to maximise profit and market impact.
Crawfurd Walker
Chief Revenue Officer
Crawfurd Walker
Chief Revenue Officer
c.walker@elephants-child.co.uk
Crawfurd began his career in property and leisure development, following an MBA at Cranfield he then worked as an independent consultant advising a number of SME’s and FTSE 100 companies on strategic development and brand growth.
He was co-founder of a Mayfair based corporate finance company, which enabled him to become involved in a wide range of projects in a variety of industries. These ranged from having originated the idea for, and then set up, the Kazakhstan Open on the European Challenge Tour to a feasibility study for a Regional Biotechnology incubator facility.
Although his experience includes FTSE 100 companies, Governments and Professional Bodies, Crawfurd prefers to work closely with business owners and high-level decision makers in SME companies. This can either be working with them to refine and deliver on an existing strategy or helping them identify their aims and creating a strategy and structure to achieve these goals – always with a view to optimising and realising the value they have created.
In addition to working with business owners Crawfurd has also established companies in research, business support and funding with roles including Chairman, NED and CEO. He has also been fortunate enough to act as a judge on a number of industry awards.
Brady Last
Relationship Director
Brady Last
Relationship Director
s.renals@elephants-child.co.uk
Stephen has over 40 years’ experience working in in a range of senior management and consultancy roles within the UK Financial Services & Wealth Management sectors. These include Marketing and Strategy Director roles at Kleinwort Benson Private Bank, Granville Private Bank and Head of Marketing at Winterthur Life. He has also run his own consultancy business, working on projects with blue chip companies such as Citigroup Private Bank, Schroder’s, Suffolk Life and a range of other financial and advisory companies.
Most recently he has spent the last 13 years at St. James’s Place as Head of Marketing and then Head of Marketing Strategy, where he set up and launched the St. James’s Place Entrepreneur Club that is designed to deliver a holistic business growth and corporate planning service to high growth SMEs. Elephants Child has played an integral role in the success of the SJP Entrepreneur Club and therefore it was a very natural progression to move to Elephants Child and continue the success of this initiative.
As an exiled Cornishman, Stephen spends his spare time split between the rolling Berkshire downs and the cliffs and beaches of Cornwall (preferably out of season). Whether he is driving his open topped car along the Ridgeway, renovating the house, walking the dog, raising chickens, reading books, especially military history, and enjoying the wine bought back from over 10 years visiting the St. Emilion region in Bordeaux, life outside work is as busy and engaging as working with Elephants Child.
Stephen Renals
Relationship Director
Stephen Renals
Relationship Director
s.renals@elephants-child.co.uk
Stephen has over 40 years’ experience working in in a range of senior management and consultancy roles within the UK Financial Services & Wealth Management sectors. These include Marketing and Strategy Director roles at Kleinwort Benson Private Bank, Granville Private Bank and Head of Marketing at Winterthur Life. He has also run his own consultancy business, working on projects with blue chip companies such as Citigroup Private Bank, Schroder’s, Suffolk Life and a range of other financial and advisory companies.
Most recently he has spent the last 13 years at St. James’s Place as Head of Marketing and then Head of Marketing Strategy, where he set up and launched the St. James’s Place Entrepreneur Club that is designed to deliver a holistic business growth and corporate planning service to high growth SMEs. Elephants Child has played an integral role in the success of the SJP Entrepreneur Club and therefore it was a very natural progression to move to Elephants Child and continue the success of this initiative.
As an exiled Cornishman, Stephen spends his spare time split between the rolling Berkshire downs and the cliffs and beaches of Cornwall (preferably out of season). Whether he is driving his open topped car along the Ridgeway, renovating the house, walking the dog, raising chickens, reading books, especially military history, and enjoying the wine bought back from over 10 years visiting the St. Emilion region in Bordeaux, life outside work is as busy and engaging as working with Elephants Child.
Danni Brotherston
Program Director
Duncan Gregson
Business Growth Advisor
d.gregson@elephants-child.co.uk
Duncan is an experienced Executive Director and Chartered Accountant and supports SME businesses in a Non Executive Director/Consultancy capacity.
His expertise and experience includes: advice and support at both an operational and strategic level, transitioning owner managed businesses to Private Equity and or external investment and supporting owner managers in realising and maximising the value for their businesses. With experience of leading and supporting international high growth professional service businesses and experience of acquisition and merger integration planning and execution.
Duncan also has experience of development and implementation of best practice financial and commercial processes and controls (including system selection and implementation) whilst maintaining entrepreneurial business culture. Other areas of expertise include finance function, systems and reporting development and implementation, UK and international refinancing as well as strategy development and review
Outside of work Duncan has two children and is a keen golfer, he is the former captain of his home club.
Andy Benson
Business Growth Advisor
Andy Benson
a.benson@elephants-child.co.uk
Andy has over 25 years commercial experience of coaching and leading teams. His work has been a catalyst for business growth, grassroots transformation and positive cultural change.
His varied and comprehensive career has covered Sales, Marketing, Operations and General Management across the UK, Nordic and European markets, ultimately as MD of three businesses.
Operating through growth, steady state and transformation times, Andy has helped these businesses to define what is critical to success; where they are going, how to get there, as well define their best routes-to-market allied with a considered channel approach to deliver optimal revenue and profit.
Outside of work Andy is a brand ambassador for Astriid charity. They support the “invisible talent pool” of people with long term illness find meaningful work.
Andy is also a keen golfer, and enjoys skiing, sports, technology and socialising.
Ian Duffew
Business Growth Advisor
Ian Duffew
i.duffew@elephants-child.co.uk
Ian is graduate trained in several areas of business management, specialising in human capital development and business growth. He has served at a senior level across several sectors including nuclear power generation, oil and gas, renewable energy, major infrastructure and recently the transport sector (including rail and automotive).
His previous organisations include Aker Kvaerner, Deep Ocean and Global Marine Energy. In the last decade, Ian has served as independent consultant/non-exec to several boards and senior management teams, facilitating organisational growth and development as well as independent coaching of business executives.
Ian holds a BSc (Hons) Degree from Sunderland University and has links with a number of professional bodies. He is experienced in collaboration and has a passion for corporate social responsibility.
Outside of work Ian enjoys keeping fit, spending time with his kids, is a leader at his local church and a Middlesborough FC Season ticket holder.
Alex Davies
Sustainability Thought Leader
Duncan Gregson
Business Growth Advisor
d.gregson@elephants-child.co.uk
Duncan is an experienced Executive Director and Chartered Accountant and supports SME businesses in a Non Executive Director/Consultancy capacity.
His expertise and experience includes: advice and support at both an operational and strategic level, transitioning owner managed businesses to Private Equity and or external investment and supporting owner managers in realising and maximising the value for their businesses. With experience of leading and supporting international high growth professional service businesses and experience of acquisition and merger integration planning and execution.
Duncan also has experience of development and implementation of best practice financial and commercial processes and controls (including system selection and implementation) whilst maintaining entrepreneurial business culture. Other areas of expertise include finance function, systems and reporting development and implementation, UK and international refinancing as well as strategy development and review
Outside of work Duncan has two children and is a keen golfer, he is the former captain of his home club.
Nick Bayley
Business Growth Advisor
Nick Bayley
Business Growth Advisor
n.bayley@elephants-child.co.uk
Nick Bayley has built a successful career in Financial Services and the Mutual Sector, in both senior leadership and Non-Executive Director positions.
He joined British Friendly (BFS) as a NED in 2008. A mutual insurance company severely affected by the credit crunch. He played a significant role in leading and transforming BFS to become the sixth largest provider of income protection products in the UK, and membership double from 12,000 to 26,000.
At St. James’s Place, Nick’s role as Head of Location at the City office involved responsibility for £10.5 billion assets under management and 650 partners, advisors, managers and support staff. He successfully led them through the COVID crisis. Nick also introduced robust talent development plans for the management team, introducing a coaching programme, and developing talent mapping to ensure future success of the individuals and location.
Giving people and organisations belief and courage so that they can fulfil their potential is now a key ambition of Nick in his working life.
Outside of work Nick is a very active sportsman, climbing mountains, taking part in triathlons and playing golf. He also enjoys spending time with his family.
David Humby
Business Growth Advisor
Nick Bayley
Business Growth Advisor
n.bayley@elephants-child.co.uk
Nick Bayley has built a successful career in Financial Services and the Mutual Sector, in both senior leadership and Non-Executive Director positions.
He joined British Friendly (BFS) as a NED in 2008. A mutual insurance company severely affected by the credit crunch. He played a significant role in leading and transforming BFS to become the sixth largest provider of income protection products in the UK, and membership double from 12,000 to 26,000.
At St. James’s Place, Nick’s role as Head of Location at the City office involved responsibility for £10.5 billion assets under management and 650 partners, advisors, managers and support staff. He successfully led them through the COVID crisis. Nick also introduced robust talent development plans for the management team, introducing a coaching programme, and developing talent mapping to ensure future success of the individuals and location.
Giving people and organisations belief and courage so that they can fulfil their potential is now a key ambition of Nick in his working life.
Outside of work Nick is a very active sportsman, climbing mountains, taking part in triathlons and playing golf. He also enjoys spending time with his family.
Chloe Carey
HR Consultant
Chloe Carey
Business Growth Advisor
Chloe is a commercially astute business owner and human resource professional with 22 years’ experience. For the past 16 years she has been a managing director of an HR outsourcing business managing a team of HR professionals. Responsible for the operational running of the business whilst partnering with clients at a senior level delivering against their strategy.
After selling the business in April 2019 she joined Elephants Child as a Business Growth Advisor to make the most of her commercial entrepreneurial approach to support business owners achieve their strategic objectives.
Chloe likes to relax by spending as much time as she can outside, she is a member of the Cornwall Lady Guns and shoots clay pigeons regularly with the club. She has a passion for nature and spends her spare time on the farm with her family, horses and menagerie of animals. Chloe is actively involved in organising year round events for a Cornish charitable organisation called the Lilybug Fund and practices Yoga and mindfulness as a way of balancing a busy life.
Steve Bird
Business Growth Advisor
Geoff Gwynn
After leaving the Royal Air Force, Geoff has spent over 35 years in sales, marketing and business development roles, in businesses ranging in size from complete start-ups to Fortune 500 organisations in the UK, Europe and the USA.
With extensive experience in developing business strategy, and organisational development, and the development of leadership teams, he uses a direct and no-nonsense approach to get things done.
Geoff enjoys working with open minded and ambitious business leaders who are eager to learn how to grow with the support of a Non-Exec Director, Board Advisor, Coach and Mentor.
Geoff Gwynn
Business Growth Advisor
Geoff Gwynn
After leaving the Royal Air Force, Geoff has spent over 35 years in sales, marketing and business development roles, in businesses ranging in size from complete start-ups to Fortune 500 organisations in the UK, Europe and the USA.
With extensive experience in developing business strategy, and organisational development, and the development of leadership teams, he uses a direct and no-nonsense approach to get things done.
Geoff enjoys working with open minded and ambitious business leaders who are eager to learn how to grow with the support of a Non-Exec Director, Board Advisor, Coach and Mentor.
Kevin Petley
Business Growth Advisor
Kevin Petley
Business Growth Advisor
k.petley@elephants-child.co.uk
Kevin is a recognised strategic development and business transformation specialist. He utilises his extensive background within management roles to introduce effective structures to achieve established business goals.
He has spent much of his career working for and with marketing, publishing and media companies, but his organisational expertise is applicable to any business. Two short term consultancy roles both resulted in multi-year in-house roles with these businesses, which also included an MBI. Since joining Elephants Child he has worked with businesses across a range of market sectors including, Jewellery, Planning consultancy, Manufacturing, B2B, B2C and Marketing Agencies.
His experience as a board member and chair, includes leading cross-functional teams to achieve significant change within businesses. He has a strong focus on communication, building and continually nurturing relationships with stakeholders and the wider team to increase engagement, initiating methodical and lean approaches to steer responses, and challenge the status quo.
Outside of work Kevin enjoys playing tennis and golf, travelling, along spending time with his four grandsons, who he says “are growing up too quickly”.
Susie Warran-Smith CBE
Thought Leader And Award-winning Business Woman
Susie Warran-Smith
Thought Leader and Award-Winning Business Woman
Susie is a business woman, author, broadcaster and speaker recently named as one of the Top 20 Global Food & Agri Influencers and Thought Leaders. Susie has appeared as a guest on every national television and radio news programme in the UK from CNN, Sky News, Radio 5 Live and Radio 4’s Today Programme to The Culture Show, BBC Breakfast, The Politics Show and The Food Programme and is the lead presenter of weekly FoodTalk Radio Show.
She is in-depth experience growing small businesses using ground-breaking employment practices to accelerate to hyper profitability, as well as being a renowned expert on foodtech and food and agri innovation.
She is the founder and sole owner of the multiple award-winning Breakthrough Group, which has grown from a two-person operation in her conservatory in 2015 to a highly profitable multi-million pound business which was sold to EY (Ernst and Young) in 2020. In the process the company won the coveted Independent Tax Consultancy Firm in the UK 2019 at the Tolley Awards for its role in gaining over £60 million of funding for innovative UK start-ups. She was awarded the Kent Business Woman of the Year in 2017 and the London and South East Director of the Year 2019 by the Institute of Directors.
She is a keen home cook and enjoys good wine and excellent company. The rest of her spare time is taken up with her grandchildren and pottering around her garden by the sea.
Duncan Gregson
Business Growth Advisor
Duncan Gregson
Business Growth Advisor
d.gregson@elephants-child.co.uk
Duncan is an experienced Executive Director and Chartered Accountant and supports SME businesses in a Non Executive Director/Consultancy capacity.
His expertise and experience includes: advice and support at both an operational and strategic level, transitioning owner managed businesses to Private Equity and or external investment and supporting owner managers in realising and maximising the value for their businesses. With experience of leading and supporting international high growth professional service businesses and experience of acquisition and merger integration planning and execution.
Duncan also has experience of development and implementation of best practice financial and commercial processes and controls (including system selection and implementation) whilst maintaining entrepreneurial business culture. Other areas of expertise include finance function, systems and reporting development and implementation, UK and international refinancing as well as strategy development and review
Outside of work Duncan has two children and is a keen golfer, he is the former captain of his home club.
Steve Parkinson
Business Growth Advisor
Richard Harper
Business Growth Advisor
r.harper@elephants-child.co.uk
Following graduation in Business Studies in 1981, Richard worked in sales and marketing roles for blue chip branded businesses – Duracell, Ferraro and Sharwoods.
Since 1995 he has gained a wealth of leadership experience within the UK food manufacturers sector working as a Managing Director, Operations Director, and Sales & Marketing Director. He has worked for major highly corporate businesses as well as highly agile start ups.
Richard has developed a tremendous level of knowledge of interacting with the UK grocery, discounter, convenience, internet & food service channels and is consequently well networked.
He has, in addition, provided ‘non executive director’ support to SME’s across many market sectors since 2004. He is an experienced business visionary, strategist and growth planner.
He consistently strives to do things ‘just a little differently’.
Richard lives in north Buckinghamshire and relaxes by spending quality time with his wife, two daughters and now three grandchildren. Having been a very active sportsman he now focuses his leisure time on road cycling & has gone from ‘couch to 100 miles’ in four months in 2021.
Richard thinks he can hold a tune and has sung Elvis Presley songs at several weddings & night clubs across Europe in recent years. If you speak with his wife, she would say he is highly delusional!
Richard Harper
Business Growth Advisor
Richard Harper
Business Growth Advisor
r.harper@elephants-child.co.uk
Following graduation in Business Studies in 1981, Richard worked in sales and marketing roles for blue chip branded businesses – Duracell, Ferraro and Sharwoods.
Since 1995 he has gained a wealth of leadership experience within the UK food manufacturers sector working as a Managing Director, Operations Director, and Sales & Marketing Director. He has worked for major highly corporate businesses as well as highly agile start ups.
Richard has developed a tremendous level of knowledge of interacting with the UK grocery, discounter, convenience, internet & food service channels and is consequently well networked.
He has, in addition, provided ‘non executive director’ support to SME’s across many market sectors since 2004. He is an experienced business visionary, strategist and growth planner.
He consistently strives to do things ‘just a little differently’.
Richard lives in north Buckinghamshire and relaxes by spending quality time with his wife, two daughters and now three grandchildren. Having been a very active sportsman he now focuses his leisure time on road cycling & has gone from ‘couch to 100 miles’ in four months in 2021.
Richard thinks he can hold a tune and has sung Elvis Presley songs at several weddings & night clubs across Europe in recent years. If you speak with his wife, she would say he is highly delusional!
Hugh Griffiths
Thought leader and affiliate
Thought Leader and Award-Winning Business Woman
Susie is a business woman, author, broadcaster and speaker recently named as one of the Top 20 Global Food & Agri Influencers and Thought Leaders. Susie has appeared as a guest on every national television and radio news programme in the UK from CNN, Sky News, Radio 5 Live and Radio 4’s Today Programme to The Culture Show, BBC Breakfast, The Politics Show and The Food Programme and is the lead presenter of weekly FoodTalk Radio Show.
She is in-depth experience growing small businesses using ground-breaking employment practices to accelerate to hyper profitability, as well as being a renowned expert on foodtech and food and agri innovation.
She is the founder and sole owner of the multiple award-winning Breakthrough Group, which has grown from a two-person operation in her conservatory in 2015 to a highly profitable multi-million pound business which was sold to EY (Ernst and Young) in 2020. In the process the company won the coveted Independent Tax Consultancy Firm in the UK 2019 at the Tolley Awards for its role in gaining over £60 million of funding for innovative UK start-ups. She was awarded the Kent Business Woman of the Year in 2017 and the London and South East Director of the Year 2019 by the Institute of Directors.
She is a keen home cook and enjoys good wine and excellent company. The rest of her spare time is taken up with her grandchildren and pottering around her garden by the sea.
Jessica Wood
Business leader and affiliate
Thought Leader and Award-Winning Business Woman
Susie is a business woman, author, broadcaster and speaker recently named as one of the Top 20 Global Food & Agri Influencers and Thought Leaders. Susie has appeared as a guest on every national television and radio news programme in the UK from CNN, Sky News, Radio 5 Live and Radio 4’s Today Programme to The Culture Show, BBC Breakfast, The Politics Show and The Food Programme and is the lead presenter of weekly FoodTalk Radio Show.
She is in-depth experience growing small businesses using ground-breaking employment practices to accelerate to hyper profitability, as well as being a renowned expert on foodtech and food and agri innovation.
She is the founder and sole owner of the multiple award-winning Breakthrough Group, which has grown from a two-person operation in her conservatory in 2015 to a highly profitable multi-million pound business which was sold to EY (Ernst and Young) in 2020. In the process the company won the coveted Independent Tax Consultancy Firm in the UK 2019 at the Tolley Awards for its role in gaining over £60 million of funding for innovative UK start-ups. She was awarded the Kent Business Woman of the Year in 2017 and the London and South East Director of the Year 2019 by the Institute of Directors.
She is a keen home cook and enjoys good wine and excellent company. The rest of her spare time is taken up with her grandchildren and pottering around her garden by the sea.
Graham King
Business Growth Advisor
GrahamKing
Business Growth Advisor
Graham is an experienced board level executive who has a finely tuned understanding about how businesses of all sizes can effect strategic change and improvement. He has the ability to quickly diagnose corporate challenges and personal and business needs.
Over the last twenty years he has split his time between consulting and running operations in both SMEs and fast growing corporates. He has worked with a diverse set of companies including a family run transport business, an insurance group, and a marketing agency.
Graham has a strong background in corporate governance, he also has experience as an internal and external consultant advising on a number of major development, start up and turnaround scenarios. Graham has developed his skills and experience leading a range of major change programmes in a number of diverse circumstances. His knowledge and expertise with key relationships and on business models, organisation structures, role design, process design and performance management have been highly successful.
He really enjoys working with SMEs because it is easier to get clarity on both personal and business objectives and internal structures have not yet become complex. Graham feels there are real improvement opportunities around roles, responsibilities, objectives and performance. He believes it is important for business growth advisors to work alongside owners and their teams to create bespoke solutions that work.
Outside of work Graham enjoys watching almost any sport but football, rugby, cricket and golf in particular. He also tries to play and improve his golf, cycling, squash, gym and does a lot of walking – helps the thinking. All of this is worked around looking after his grandchildren. Travel is also a big passion of his.
Anthony Thomson
Business Growth Advisor
Anthony Thomson
Business Growth Advisor
a.thomson@elephants-child.co.uk
Dr Anthony Thomson is a passionate business development executive, with over 20 years’ experience in strategy, business development and marketing. He has held senior roles in technology, health, finance and within the University sector.
Anthony has led the formation, management and exit of several start-ups; including University spin-outs and corporate ventures. His academic pursuits extend from science into business and leadership.
Offering a rare blend of commercial awareness, academic background and real-world pragmatism, he has achieved exciting approaches to business strategy and market development. Anthony is recognised for his success in producing well-researched strategic directions in areas of commercial and business development, sales and marketing, brand development, technology and ecosystem development. His collaborative approach to leading, developing and implementing business strategies is reflected in the success of his work.
Julian Roberts
Business Growth Advisor
Julian Roberts
Business Growth Advisor
j.roberts@elephants-child.co.uk
With a 20+ year background within the grocery food industry, Julian has a passion for food, business and people. He has held several senior strategic commercial positions from global multinational corporations to family run businesses and managed global brands to specialist/licensed brands.
Commercially astute with strong negotiation and leadership skills along with a proven track record within the UK and International sectors across FMCG food, construction, healthcare and household markets within key trading channels.
He has extensive ‘hands on’ experience in strategic business development and proven record of achievement in rapidly changing organisations.
When not working Julian likes to cook, eat in or out along with running ultra-marathons. He has also completed an ironman triathlon and says, ‘never again!’ He also spends time on the board of trustees of Foodbank.
Claire Turner
Marketing Manager
Claire Turner
Marketing Manager
c.turner@elephants-child.co.uk
Claire has a strong background across a spectrum of communication activities but now especially focuses on social media and digital engagement.
With an excellent track record in creating and growing corporate social media accounts, Claire provides social media management across a variety of platforms for a range of businesses. She also runs Facebook advertising campaigns and delivers social media training for individuals, groups and large and small organisations in the public and private sector.
Outside of work, Claire spends a lot of her weekend watching her three sons play various sports and also volunteers for Marie Curie.
Laura Linsell
Executive Assistant
Laura Linsell
Executive Assistant
l.linsell@elephants-child.co.uk
A long association with Martin led me to join the herd. I have been working with Elephants Child for three years now and loving my role as Executive Assistant.
Having worked in the hair and beauty industry for 40 years as a stylist then later roles as hostess and front of house, I consider myself a people person with extensive experience in management and event planning.
I have a great understanding of people and a very good listener.
In my spare time I travel and enjoy reading. Family values are extremely important, I consider myself forever conscientious and a caring sou