James Bennett

Experienced board-level director, advisor and chair with a proven track record of transforming and scaling purpose-driven SMEs. At Care & Independence, VCT-backed with Octopus Ventures, joined as Director and investor and served as Visionary and Board Director through a transformation delivering +105% revenue growth and +1,044% EBITDA growth, underpinned by a strong culture, clear values and a team that genuinely believed in what the business stood for. Currently active as an investor, mentor, chair and advisor to UK SMEs.

Operating as a Professional EOS Implementer®, Managing Director of Future Legacy and Chair of Cabal. Board-level experience spans commercial leadership, multi-stakeholder governance, leadership team development, organisational clarity and sustainable growth in values-led businesses. Seeking board chair and NED appointments with purpose-led, values-driven SMEs where independent governance, commercial rigour and collaborative leadership create lasting organisational strength.

Managing Director & Founder at Future Legacy Ltd (2025-06 – Present)

Advisory practice helping ambitious SME owners build clearer, stronger, more profitable businesses. Services span EOS implementation, advisory, strategic mentoring and coaching.

• Professional EOS Implementer® (accredited EOS Worldwide, May 2025) - guiding leadership teams to gain clarity, build accountability and create systems that support sustainable growth.
• Advisor - retained strategic and commercial challenge for owner-managed businesses, including Board Pack preparation and performance review.
• Active investor and mentor to UK SMEs - ongoing capital, strategic input and board-level support to portfolio businesses.

Chairman at Cabal (2025-10 – Present)

Chairs high-trust peer advisory groups for founders and senior leaders across the West Midlands. Structured facilitation of complex, multi-perspective discussions, building consensus and enabling better collective decisions across diverse groups of people with different priorities and perspectives.

Director, Investor & EOS Visionary at Care & Independence Ltd (GBUK Group) (2018-10 – 2025-04)

VCT-backed medical device manufacturer with a near 40-year heritage, backed by Octopus Ventures. Joined as Board Director and investor to stabilise, transform, grow and sell. Held the EOS Visionary and Sales & Marketing Leadership seats. Exited via PE-backed trade sale in 2024; led post-acquisition transition into 2025.

• +105% revenue growth in four post-Covid years through strategic repositioning, brand investment and commercial discipline.
• +1,044% EBITDA growth (absolute) in the same period, crystallising a significant double-digit multiple investor return on exit.
• Successful PE-backed trade sale at high EV multiple. Led full post-acquisition integration with GBUK Group.
• EOS implementation introduced and embedded across the business as the operating foundation for sustained growth and the eventual sale.
• BHTA Manufacturer of the Year 2024 recognised for market presence, customer engagement and commitment to innovative best practice.
• Cherwell Valley Business Awards 2024 Overall Business of the Year and Large Business of the Year winner. Businessperson of the Year finalist.

Executive Director at DYSCOVA Ltd (2018-10 – 2024-07)

Investment vehicle and holding company providing capital for MBO, MBI and UK SME growth. Board-level involvement in deal structuring, investment oversight and portfolio company strategy.

Group Head of Sales at iPRO Solutions Ltd (2016-03 – 2018-03)

c.£30M outsourcing solutions provider to manufacturing and engineering. SLT member. Built and led Sales, Account Management and Marketing from the ground up.

• +£7M revenue growth from £9.9M to £16.9M. £32.4M pipeline built from zero in two years.
• New market entry aerospace, defence and medical device sectors. C. £500K new sales with £2M pencilled to close post-departure.
• Chamber of Commerce SME of the Year 2017

Head of Operations, Asset Solutions at OCS Group (UK) Ltd (2014-07 – 2016-03)

£1Bn global outsourcing group. Owned £18M P&L, led 8 direct leadership team reports and seasonal workforce of up to 1,000 across EMEA, USA and APAC. Hired to deliver full operational transformation.

• +139% productivity / +69% GM on strategic contracts. +7% GM improvement with 17% overhead reduction, on time and under budget.

Strategic Account Manager at RGIS Ltd (2006-06 – 2014-07)

Global $1Bn PE-owned data capture business. Progressed from Sales Executive to Strategic Account Manager. Won and ran the largest contract in RGIS history as a standalone unit.

• £18M Tesco contract delivered over 50% of RGIS UK EBITDA in year two. Led sales initiation and closed the client acquisition over 2 years of bidding, proof of concept and negotiation.
• 2013 RGIS International BD Award highest new sales across the entire business. First ever UK recipient.

Retail Development Manager at Permira (2004 – 2006)

Travelodge Little Chef contract

Hospitality Management at Kent Hospitality, University of Kent (2001 – 2004)

Freelance Consultant at Freelance (2018-03 – 2018-10)

GTM and commercial strategy advisory for scaling SMEs

Postgraduate Award in Strategic Leadership – Warwick Business School, University of Warwick

BA in English Language & Literature – University of Kent