Ben McLean

Robust, high-impact Commercial & Marketing Director and Board-level Executive with over 20 years of elite performance driving top-line growth, margin maximization, and radical business transformations across complex B2B sectors (Manufacturing, Packaging, Distribution, and Public Sector). A proven architect of international commercial strategy with comprehensive P&L ownership up to £265M and £15M EBIT. Extensive cross-border leadership experience spanning the UK, France (Paris), and the Benelux region.

Renowned for scaling multi-site pan-European operations, leading high-performing cross-functional teams of 120+ FTE, and engineering sophisticated commercial frameworks that consistently convert market challenges into multimillion-pound victories. Combines sharp macroeconomic vision with a relentless focus on execution, corporate governance, and digital modernization.

UK&I Commercial Director - DTS TRADING INC. - UK

(2025-01)

Headhunted to assume full accountability for UK&I commercial performance across Healthcare, Public Sector, and Distribution channels. Tasked with a comprehensive mandate to restructure legacy commercial frameworks, inject advanced sales governance, and unlock high-margin, untapped B2B regional growth markets.

• Own and execute the end-to-end revenue, pricing, margin, and sales pipeline strategy across all UK operations, aggressively driving market expansion and product portfolio diversification.
• Manage and elevate high-value national partnerships with tier-1 distributors and critical public sector entities, including the NHS and local authorities.
• Transformed a legacy team into an elite commercial unit by embedding rigorous KPI discipline, data-led forecasting, and a culture of radical accountability.
• Overhauled corporate tendering and contract governance protocols, materially lowering commercial risk profiles while significantly improving bid conversion rates and margin delivery.

Director of Strategic Accounts - ARCO LTD

(2024-01 - 2025-01)

Senior executive position wielding full accountability for revenue generation, £15M EBIT delivery, and elite corporate enterprise account strategies across a £165M portfolio. Led a multi-tiered team of 75+ FTE, including 9 Heads of Sales, 4 Managers, and 11 Technical Account Managers.

• Accelerated portfolio performance to deliver £3M revenue growth (11% increase) within just 7 months of tenure.
• Captured and solidified landmark corporate accounts, including a blockbuster £19M multi-year agreement with BT and a £15M annual revenue account with BAE Systems.
• Generated £900K in margin improvements by introducing value-based selling methodologies and optimizing core pricing architectures.
• Re-engineered a complex £450M sales pipeline, radically improving data visibility, workflow velocity, and close rates.

Head of Strategic Development - ANTALIS UKI & EUROPE

(2022-01 - 2024-01)

Selected by the executive board to lead enterprise-wide commercial, technology, and operational turnaround initiatives across multiple regional business units, leveraging deep expertise in the UK, Paris, and Benelux distribution channels.

• Delivered £3.4M in revenue uplift and generated over £4M in total business value through strategic corporate restructuring and cross-border commercial alignment.
• Orchestrated a £5M SAP digital transformation programme, seamlessly guiding 350+ employees from initial system architecture design through to full user adoption with zero operational downtime.
• Spearheaded the post-merger integration of corporate acquisitions, unlocking critical commercial and operational synergies across European hubs to accelerate time-to-value.

Head of Sector Sales – Packaging Division - ANTALIS UKI & EUROPE

(2019-01 - 2022-01)

Held full P&L leadership of a £90M multi-site business unit, successfully capturing £11M EBIT across three high-volume corporate divisions. Managed 3 General Managers and a team of 45+ sales professionals across UK and European operations (including Paris-based assets and Benelux distribution footprints).

• Recaptured £450K in annualised margin via the deployment of strict pricing governance and commercial optimization frameworks tailored to localized market dynamics.
• Deeply integrated sales pipelines with local logistics and international supply chains to guarantee seamless cross-border fulfillment and exceptional client retention.

Senior Operations Manager - ANTALIS UKI

(2014-01 - 2019-01)

Directed regional commercial and operational performance across a complex, multi-site footprint spanning four facilities and manufacturing-linked assets with a total asset footprint value of £50M.

• Successfully conceptualized and executed a multi-stage strategic site closure and relocation initiative, yielding £3.3M in annualised cost savings.

Senior Key Account & National Account Roles - Paris, France & Benelux

Formative years spent mastering the mechanics of high-stakes international commercial negotiation, corporate business development, and multi-sector account retention strategy. Built the foundational expertise required to manage enterprise-scale, cross-border commercial operations.

Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons) - University of Leeds