Paul Novelle

I’m a senior operations and strategy expert with 17 years’ experience working for companies ranging from tech-focused SMEs to FTSE 100 and 250 financial organisations such as Aviva. I have taken my operational experience with large firms and applied it to tech-focused start-ups and scale-ups, a passion born out of helping SME businesses during my time in politics as well as having been a tech-founder. I’ve a track record of improving businesses of all sizes through delivering great operational processes in marketing, revenue generation, financial planning, and HR.

I’ve extensive team leadership experience and have worked in several different countries to help build a broad base of business experience.

Chief Operating Officer

Instech  - Jun 2022 – Jul 2023

• Led internal team of 5 plus further 6 external consultants at insurtech-focused intelligence business. Responsible for people, finance, marketing and events operations at £2m+ revenue SME
• Consolidated 3 CRM systems and 2 mail delivery systems into one platform (Hubspot) including successful data migration for over 20,000 contacts as basis for revenue operations overhaul
• Oversaw company-wide restructure, setting new hiring framework, creating new employee policies and incentives including healthcare and flexible working
• Handled sensitive and effective managed exits and focussed hiring of 5 new team members
• Achieved cost reductions during 2022 financial year, despite inflation, to achieve £1.6m of revenue and 20%+ profit margin
• Oversaw numerous other projects including relocation to a new office, hybrid work adaption, introduction of a full suite of business KPIs and financial processes, internal lobbying for new website and brand refresh and leading subsequent website project including RFP tender, selection and agency engagement (new website due Q4 2023)

 Mojagate- Nov 2020 – Mar 2022, Nairobi, Kenya

• Led strategy, and later, operations for leading Kenyan communications and customer service-tech company with 30+ employees and multi-million $ annual revenue. Took on operational duties for last 6 months to help drive efficiencies
• Oversaw, designed and delivered 3 new strategic product concepts across 3 countries including fintech offering with Posta Kenya (Kenya’s nationwide Post Office network) and Rwanda’s revenue collection agency
• Streamlined operations to achieve 20% cost-savings in final three months through reviewing and closing unprofitable partnerships 
• Introduced new company-wide operational processes and KPIs

Co-Founder and COO 

Hidols.com– Mar 2020 – July 2021

• Co-founded hidols.com, a celebrity video engagement platform
• Turned initial concept into revenue generating platform in less than 3 months, with £15,000+ revenue in first year, 100+ stars on site and a range of individual and corporate customers
• Achieved coverage on front page of BBC global website as well as in national UK newspapers 

Tech Nation - Aug 2019 – Oct 2020, London, UK

• Led Fintech Panel team at UK tech-accelerator Tech Nation
• Collaborated with founders, investors and key ecosystem players from across the UK’s fintech scene including Starling Bank, Wise, Wealthify, Barclays, Lloyds TSB and Santander
• Advised on UK Government's Fintech review helping lead National Connectivity chapter alongside Tech Nation CEO resulting in a multi-year plan also leading to funding from Government
• Designed and delivered a world-first partnership agreement between the UK's 5 largest banks

Department for Business and Energy - Oct 2018 – Jul 2019, London, UK

• Worked between business and Government on improving operational processes and engagement during Brexit transition period as well as advising on key sector reform
• Led cross-UK civil service Ministerial projects between the Confederation of British Industry, Treasury and other government departments to accelerate urgent business engagement 

TP ICAP - Jan 2017 – Sep 2018, London, UK

• Responsible for global public policy and CSR at FTSE 250 listed inter-dealer broker TP ICAP 
• Led team of consultants on both CSR and public policy to ensure company transitioned through Brexit period of uncertainty with minimal downside to operations and with minimal financial impact
• Designed and implemented multi-million £ global CSR programme for 5,000 employees

Sabadell Bank– Mar 2016 – Dec 2016, London, UK

Planned Career Sabbatical – Charitable Governance work

Moving Mountains - Oct 2015– Feb 2016, Sub-Saharan Africa

Chief of Staff, Interim Head of Public Policy & Senior Manager

Aviva- Dec 2011 – Sep 2015, London, UK

• Promoted internally, eventually becoming Chief of Staff to the Europe and International CEO 
• Worked on strategic and operational issues with European CEOs, including communications and crisis management, process and operations efficiencies and managed £1.5m + CEO office budget 

European Parliament- Apr 2010 – Dec 2011, Brussels, Belgium

Group Operational Risk Manager & Business Leadership Programme

AXA- Nov 2006 – Apr 2010, London, Dublin and Bristol, UK and Ireland

FX Options Manager

JP Morgan- Feb 2006 – Sep 2006, Bournemouth, UK

• University of Manchester -BA Economics (Hons) 
• Lean Six Sigma - Green Belt
• Management finance Macquarie University certificate
• Hubspot Marketing Software Certified 
• Hubspot Revenue Operations Certified