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)
