Hi, I’m Nick, a fractional Chief Innovation, Brand Experience and Commercial executive focussed on FMCG, LifeSciences and Digital Health. I have 20+ years of leadership and delivery experience spanning creative agencies, start-ups, consultancies & FTSE 10 companies
Today’s changing landscape demands exponential thinking.
Ambitious leaders and businesses must think and do differently within this dynamic paradigm.
I work with leaders and their teams to advise, define and build differentiated innovation, brands, experience and product offerings.
See some of my (recent) experience below:
Haleon is the world’s biggest Consumer Health business. As the VP, Global Digital Innovation & Head of NEXT I was responsible for creating a disruptive innovation unit that resulted in a £450m future facing pipeline of digital / data first health platforms and services. I reported into the CDO, then CEO and finally CMO, set up innovation incubators, partnered with multiple start ups, re-orged new digital units, launched and scaled new digital businesses and wrote the GSK Future/Back Strategy. 45 people. 1000’s of lean experiments, multi-million pound operational budgets. Real change.
Quite the ride.
Accenture Song
2017– 2018
With a background in brand building, growth propositions, agencies and start up, I joined Accenture Song. The then disparate and growing service and agency offerings required a different approach to engage Executives, so I set up, launched and productised ‘Experience Strategy’ (c. 50 practitioners)
Working with several MD’s across the business, I actively sourced, lead, closed and delivered projects across Health & Life Sciences, Utilities and FMCG sectors to C-Suite execs.
This included new financials, GTM strategy and launch, performance metrics, capability building, training, engagement, content creation on behalf of Accenture Interactive with a focus on Conversational UI, Brand experience and Experience metrics.
Agencies and Start-Ups:
2003–2017
I’ve taken the helm of various roles (Account Management, Creative, Brand, Growth and Product Strategy/Product Management, New Business Roles and Agency management experience,) across global network/ / independent agencies (Ogilvy, Y&R, WCRS, Naked) and start-ups (System Two, The Outfit) working on some of the world's best known and beloved brands (both globally and locally) including (but not an exhaustive list...)
FMCG: Dove, Red Bull, Mars Petcare, Heineken Group, Danone Groupe,
Retail: eBay, Holland & Barrett, Phones 4U,
Finance/FS: Barclays, BBVA, Amex, Direct Line
TMT: O2, LG
Auto: BMW
Start Up, VC/PE & Government Advisory:
I love staying active across a network of new opportunities and innovators acting as a strategic advisor. This work includes due diligence, go-to-market strategy, brand/experience design and fund raising.
Wayra Incubator: Advisory to digital health start up community (2023 - )
Ascension VC: Advisory to digital health focused fund (2023 -)
Zinc Incubator: Fellow; advisory to start up founders (2023 -)
London & Partners: Visiting Lecturer on Corporate Innovation (2021 - )
I measure success by the impact I can make on your business and customers. I pride myself on delivering tangible results that drive long-term growth and profitability. All of this through:
Two ears and one mouth: I listen, understand and lead with empathy.
Lived experience: Yes, I have frameworks…. but I also have the scars on my back of driving change.
Network: Access to a network of industry experts and thought leaders
Flexibility: Fractional, freelance or consultancy engagements.
Whatever works best.
Book a meeting.
Meaningful change starts with a conversation. I’d love to hear from you so please use the link below: