About Iain
23 years in the Royal Navy as an Aeronautical Engineer taught me to lead under pressure, build high-performing teams and execute with precision. Since leaving the service, I've applied that same discipline across every business I've run or advised.
I work directly with SME founders and leadership teams through Ozboz Consultancy — delivering practical, hands-on support across strategy, operations and commercial growth. No theory.
No slide decks.
Just straight-talking advice from someone who has carried full P&L responsibility across logistics, manufacturing, haulage and technology.
I've grown a startup from £250k to £1.7m turnover in under 14 months, managed a £20m regional budget with 230+ staff, delivered £150k in cost savings, improved customer service performance from 91% to 97.2%, and achieved a profitable business exit. I've done this as a Founder, Managing Director, Operations Director and Board Advisor.
What I typically help with:
- Business strategy and operational improvement
- P&L management and financial control
- Business turnaround and change management
- Revenue growth and business development
- Leadership mentoring and interim executive support
Based in Hampshire, I work with clients across the UK — remotely and on-site. If something in your business isn't working the way it should, let's talk.
English
Native or bilingual
Can work on-site
Southampton (up to 50km), Cardiff County (up to 50km), Lincoln (up to 50km), Leeds (up to 50km), Edinburgh (up to 50km)
Experience
- OzbozManaging DirectorCONSULTING AND AUDITSNovember 2023 - Today (2 years and 7 months)Hampshire, UKOzboz is a specialist business consultancy for SME founders and leadership teams who want practical, commercially-focused support, not theory, not slide decks. I work directly with owners to diagnose what's holding the business back, then help them fix it and build forward.What I focus on:•Business strategy and commercial planning — getting clear on direction, priorities and what success actually looks like•Operational improvement — identifying and fixing what's slowing the business down•Revenue growth and business development — finding and converting the right opportunities•Go-to-market and marketing direction — building the right presence and approach for your market•Leadership and founder support — the strategic thinking partner that most SME owners don't haveKey achievements:•Established Ozboz as a trusted advisory partner to early-stage and growing businesses, delivering measurable operational and commercial improvements•Designed and implemented bespoke operational, analytical and marketing frameworks for founder-led SMEs•Built and led a high-performing associate network, creating a collaborative, delivery-focused consultancy modelIf you're an SME owner who knows something needs to change but isn't sure where to start — let's talk: ozboz.co.uk
- The Hully CompanyManaging DirectorRAW MATERIALS INDUSTRYAugust 2022 - December 2023 (1 year and 4 months)Southampton, UKFull P&L leadership in a PE-backed manufacturing business producing fibreglass pods for a diverse B2B and B2C customer base. Appointed to drive commercial growth, operational improvement and strategic expansion.Key achievements:•Grew turnover significantly within 14 months through new B2B strategy and revenue stream development•Improved production capacity whilst enhancing quality standards•Structured a new pricing model achieving a target of 60% gross margin and 40% net profit•Defined and delivered a leasing/hire model creating recurring revenue with improved margins vs capital sales•Initiated development of a modular build pod, opening European B2B market opportunities•Achieved supplier restructure with cost savings beyond expected targets•Recruited and onboarded new Sales Manager and Market Expert, pivoting sales strategy towards growth
- Drumcross HaulageOwner and DirectorTRANSPORTATIONMarch 2020 - January 2023 (2 years and 10 months)Winchester, UKunded and scaled a haulage and logistics business from scratch during the Covid-19 pandemic, proving that the right model, run with operational discipline, can succeed in the most challenging conditions.Key achievements:•Grew revenues to £650k+ in road transportation and £50k in warehousing within two years of founding•Achieved profitable exit — sold the business to focus on new opportunities•Full end-to-end business management: P&L, budgets, forecasts, KPIs, regulatory compliance and logistics operations
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Education
- Post Graduate Certificate, Business AdministrationThe Open University2017Post Graduate Certificate, Business Administration
- Professional Certificate in Management, Business/Commerce, GeneralThe Open University2013Professional Certificate in Management, Business/Commerce, General
Certifications
- Prince2Chartered Institute for IT2016
- CPC (National) Transport ManagementCambridge OCR1999