Nitin Jain

Operations Strategist, Turnaround Expert and Executive Leader with 26 years' experience delivering operational excellence, commercial growth, organisational transformation and culture change across multi-site businesses. Proven track record of stabilising and growing multi-million-pound operations through strategy development, business transformation, revenue generation and people leadership. Experienced in building high-performing teams, driving EBITDA growth, managing large-scale operations and establishing strong stakeholder relationships to improve efficiency, customer satisfaction and business performance.

Transformational leader driving cultural change and operational strategy in diverse environments. Cultivates high-performing teams and implements effective performance analyses to exceed organisational goals. Champions compliance oversight and stakeholder engagement to ensure regulatory excellence and customer satisfaction.

Chief Operating Officer - Bright Stars Nursery Group - UK

(2026-01 - 2026-07)

• Lead a workforce of over 4,000 employees
• Accountable for 125 nurseries across the UK within a 144-setting group
• Managed operational performance, Ofsted outcomes, safeguarding, and EHO compliance to ensure high standards across all nurseries.
• Provide direct line management to the Operations Team and 15 direct reports
• Achieved EBITDA growth, currently forecast at £46m+ for 2026.
• Developed successful strategies and policies, meeting organisational needs and implementing improvements.
• Drive strategic alignment across operational and senior leadership teams
• Oversaw financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, to maintain healthy cash flow.
• Developed strategic plans informed by market research and industry trends to align operational goals with organisational vision.
• Led acquisitions and integration projects across the group
• Support new site acquisitions and greenfield developments
• Established and monitored KPIs to provide insights into business operations and track progress against strategic objectives.
• Monitored operations to keep processes aligned with targets and matching forecasts.
• Managed crisis situations with a calm and strategic approach, minimising impact on operations and preserving stakeholder confidence.
• Oversaw budget to verify expenditures, assets and liabilities, maintaining low costs with quality standards.
• Developed high-performing teams to consistently exceed goals, drive revenue and expand markets.
• Nominated Individual for 102 England nurseries
• Oversaw Quality/Ofsted Inspections
• Explored roles that reflect core principles and ethical standards

Chief Operating Officer - Humly Recruitment

(2025-07 - 2025-12)

• Worked directly with the Founder and CEO to improve commercial performance
• Increased London office EBITDA from £300k to £750k within four months
• Managed operations across six offices in England, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives and operational efficiency.
• Developed strategies and policies that addressed organisational needs, resulting in measurable improvements in performance.
• Developed strategic plans based on market research and industry trends.
• Oversaw budget to verify expenditures, assets and liabilities, maintaining low costs with quality standards.
• Oversaw complete sales cycle process from prospecting through contract negotiations and close.
• Implemented a dedicated nursery division across all locations
• Participated in labour contract negotiations with the union to successfully achieve a new agreement representing mutually agreed elements.
• Presented operational updates at board meetings and public events, fostering transparency and stakeholder engagement.

Managing Director - Montessori by Busy Bees

(2019-12 - 2025-07)

• Led the growth of the Montessori portfolio from 10 to 25 nurseries through acquisition, integration and operational development
• Delivered EBITDA growth from £11.5m to a forecast £14.5m
• Improved financial performance from a negative EBITDA position of £1m to a positive EBITDA of £550k within three months
• Oversaw 45 nursery settings, enhancing overall business performance
• Achieved Outstanding or Good Ofsted outcomes across the portfolio
• Returned to the UK business and supported continued growth of the nursery estate from 10 to 51 nurseries
• Led the Italian business through significant growth, increasing the estate from 10 to 32 nurseries
• Appointed Interim CEO for Busy Bees Italy in April 2024
• Collaborated with senior leadership teams to integrate acquisitions, develop operational structures, and drive long-term growth

Operations Director - Focus Clinics

(2017-05 - 2019-12)

• Increased annual turnover from £2.5m to £5m within one year
• Managed operational costs, budgets and bonus structures to align financial resources with strategic objectives
• Led business expansion projects and new site openings
• Developed sales, marketing and promotional strategies, resulting in improved commercial performance
• Led management team across operations, finance, sales, marketing and clinical services to enhance organisational effectiveness
• Managed key client relationships and VIP customers
• Directed HR and IT functions across the business
• Led CQC inspections

Regional Director - Optical Express - UK and Germany

(2019-01 - 2019-07)

• Managed five of nine regions in UK and Germany, facilitating strategic initiatives and growth
• Directed operations across London and Germany, ensuring alignment with regional objectives
• Managed a division that generated £150m turnover
• Coordinated support teams to improve regional collaboration and performance outcomes
• Oversaw CQC inspections

Regional Operations Director - Optical Express - UK, Germany, USA, and Japan

(2008-06 - 2017-04)

• Oversaw operations for 150 stores in the UK, Germany, USA, and Japan
• Led revenue growth, EBITDA improvement, budget management, forecasting accuracy, and operational performance
• Worked directly with the CEO and Heads of Function on business strategy and performance targets
• Managed regional managers, developed training plans, conducted performance reviews, and executed succession planning
• Oversaw workforce engagement and productivity, disciplinary, grievance and capability processes
• Supported annual budget planning and ensured alignment with commercial forecasting
• Achieved significant profit growth for highest turnover store at the company's highest turnover store
• Turned a £60k loss into a £10k profit within four weeks
• Achieved an average Mystery Shopper score of 97%
• Progressed through General Manager, Multi-Site Manager, Regional Manager and Regional Operations Director roles
• Oversaw CQC inspections

Area Manager / Store Manager - Uniqlo

(2007-01 - 2008-01)

Flagship Branch Manager - Monsoon Accessorize

(2005-09 - 2007-01)

Commercial / Sales Manager - River Island

(2003-09 - 2005-09)

Menswear Floor Manager - Next

(2001-07 - 2003-09)

Customer Service Manager - J Sainsbury's

(1998-09 - 2001-09)

A Levels - Economics, History, Sociology, English - St Mary's C of E Secondary School

GCSEs - St Mary's C of E Secondary School