Scott Benton

A Commercial and Business Development leader with extensive experience driving sales growth, developing high-performing teams and building long-term relationships with business owners and senior decision makers. Strong recruitment industry background, including leadership of a 13-location recruitment division with turnover of approximately £32m, national account development, sales strategy, KPI implementation and full P&L responsibility. Broader commercial experience includes building a start-up through to a £3.5m sale and securing £8m+ of construction contracts.

A consultative and relationship-led business developer with the commercial credibility to engage at owner, founder and board level. Experienced in identifying new markets, creating sales opportunities, developing propositions, managing pipelines and translating commercial strategy into sustainable revenue growth.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT / GENERAL MANAGER – FREELANCE

(2020-02)

Providing business development, commercial and strategic support to SMEs and growth businesses across construction, recruitment and related sectors.

• Helped establish a start-up providing payroll and employment-status protection to contractors within the construction industry, achieving profitability within four months of trading.
• Helped secure more than £8m of contracts within two years for a cleanroom construction subcontractor, including significant project work associated with a high-profile battery manufacturing facility.
• Contributed to approximately 40% year-on-year growth following implementation of a revised commercial and sales strategy within an SME in the home improvements sector

DIRECTOR - ROCK GROUP LTD

(2006-06 - 2020-02)

Led the development of a start-up company providing payroll and employment-status protection to clients within the construction and recruitment sectors, subsequently remaining with the acquiring group in sales and general management roles.

• Held full responsibility for business growth and P&L performance, combining strategic leadership with hands-on sales and business development.
• Developed and implemented sales strategy, customer relationship management programme, product development and operational processes.
• Built and maintained relationships with business owners, clients and senior decision makers.
• Developed the business to support approximately 240 active clients.
• Helped grow the company through to its sale in 2011 at a valuation of £3.5m.
• Following acquisition, retained responsibility for sales and general management across diverse business units covering construction, property development and recruitment.
• Recruited, developed and managed teams while establishing processes and structures capable of supporting continued growth.

DIRECTOR - DIAMOND RECRUITMENT LTD

(2005-01 - 2006-06)

Senior leadership responsibility for an established specialist recruitment business during a period of significant organisational and commercial challenge.

• Assumed broader leadership responsibility following the departure of the Managing Director and approximately 50% of employees to a new direct competitor.
• Designed and implemented a comprehensive recovery strategy focused on client retention, new business acquisition, sales strategy, recruitment and team development.
• Rebuilt commercial momentum while protecting key client relationships during a highly competitive period.
• Recruited and developed new employees to rebuild operational and sales capability.
• Following an initial revenue decline, returned the business to profitability within six months.

SALES OPERATIONS DIRECTOR - OPTIONS EMPLOYMENT GROUP LTD

(2000-04 - 2005-01)

Overall responsibility for the group’s Construction Recruitment division, operating nationally through 13 locations with turnover of approximately £32m.

• Held full divisional budget and P&L responsibility, managing Regional and Branch Managers against individual commercial targets.
• Worked with management teams to develop and execute sales strategies across the national branch network.
• Personally secured national supplier contracts with four of the group’s six largest clients by turnover.
• Developed and implemented sales KPIs, reporting systems and staff sales training to improve commercial visibility and performance.
• Led, coached and supported managers to improve individual branch profitability and business development performance.
• Managed the commercial and operational integration of multiple businesses introduced through acquisition.
• Undertook reviews of branding, organisational structure and operational procedures following acquisitions, helping create an integrated region that subsequently led group profit performance.