Steve Preece

A commercially astute, objective and strategically focused Board Advisor, Non-Executive Director and Founder with more than 30 years of broad executive leadership experience driving top tier growth, financial control, operational excellence and organisational performance across PLC, private and public organisations. Having operated as Chairman, CEO, COO, Fractional Director and trusted advisor, brings extensive board-level expertise in strategy design and execution, governance and financial oversight, ROI, organisational design and operational transformation. Successfully guided boards through periods of rapid expansion, acquisitions, organisational restructuring, turnarounds and complex change across sectors including technology, B2B services, supply chain and logistic, engineering services, manufacturing, property and housing, retail and the public sector (Rail, NHS and Local Government).

Recognised for combining strategic vision with disciplined execution, repeatedly delivered measurable shareholder and stakeholder value, including scaling businesses from start-ups to corporates, securing multi-million-pound investment, leading acquisition and integration programmes and overseeing transformation initiatives that generated substantial ROI, productivity improvements, operational efficiencies and long-term commercial sustainability. Leverages a board contribution that is characterised by independent challenge, robust governance, balanced commercial judgement and an unwavering focus on sustainable growth, risk management and organisational resilience. An excellent troubleshooter, tough minded, objective, “The anchor of reality”, a critical friend who defines, clarifies, tests and presents information without emotion and maintains standards.

With experience advising executive teams, investors, owners and public-sector stakeholders across the UK and EMEA region, well positioned to contribute as a Board Advisor / Non-Executive Director, bringing strategic oversight, governance expertise, commercial acumen and transformational leadership to organisations seeking to accelerate growth, strengthen performance and navigate complex business challenges with confidence. AREAS OF DELIVERY Board Governance, Strategic Leadership & Executive Oversight: Provides independent strategic challenge and board-level oversight to support sustainable growth, organisational resilience and long-term value creation. Brings first-hand experience operating as Chairman, CEO, COO and Fractional Director, partnering with boards to shape strategy, oversee execution, strengthen governance frameworks and balance commercial opportunity with operational risk across complex organisations.

Growth

Strategy, Scale-Up & Value Creation: Supports boards in developing and executing ambitious growth strategies that deliver measurable commercial outcomes. Successfully scaled organisations through organic growth, market expansion, investment funding and acquisitions, including building a start-u

Fractional Managing Director at Professional Services Consultancy (2023 – 2026)

Appointed to partner with the board to transform a regional civil and structural engineering consultancy into a scalable national business operating within a highly regulated, safety-critical environment. Worked alongside directors to strengthen organisational capability, embed governance disciplines and prepare the business for sustained long-term expansion.

• Partnered with the board and senior leadership team to guide strategic business expansion whilst maintaining governance, compliance and operational resilience.
• Secured more than £1M of growth funding, strengthening the organisation's investment capacity and future growth trajectory.
• Expanded the business from a single regional office to a four-site national operation, achieving a fivefold increase in turnover and fourfold growth in headcount within three years.
• Introduced stronger financial disciplines and organisational structures that significantly improved operational efficiency and business scalability.
• Helped position the organisation for sustainable long-term growth within a regulated engineering sector.

Co-Founder, Fractional COO at Management & Supply Chain Consultancy (2012 – 2026)

Provided board-level advisory services to organisations across the private and public sectors, supporting executive teams through complex business change, organisational restructuring and large-scale transformation programmes across manufacturing, retail, infrastructure, logistics, property and government.

• Advised boards and executive leadership teams on complex transformation programmes, strategic decision-making and organisational restructuring.
• Developed governance reporting, strategic recommendations and implementation roadmaps supporting major organisational change.
• Led high-profile consulting assignments for organisations including Open AI, Network Rail, Rolls Royce (Aviation), Budweiser Budvar, Rexel, Tetra Pak, G4S (Crown property portfolio), multiple Local Authorities and NHS.
• Delivered programmes producing significant financial improvements, operational resilience and measurable shareholder and stakeholder value across multiple sectors.
• Earned a reputation for outcome-based delivery, frequently working under commercial arrangements linked directly to successful business outcomes.

Founder, Chairman & CEO at Holding Company (Logistics, Recruitment & Property) (1990 – 2011)

Founded and led a diversified group of logistics, recruitment and property businesses, providing strategic leadership to the board through start-up, acquisition, integration and sustained commercial growth across UK and European markets.

• Chaired board meetings, providing strategic leadership, governance oversight and commercial direction throughout periods of sustained expansion.
• Oversaw the successful acquisition and integration of multiple businesses, strengthening the group's market position and service capability.
• Built the organisation from start-up into a £30M+ group employing more than 100 people across multiple business divisions.
• Directed capital investment, funding activities and commercial decision-making to support long-term organisational growth.
• Established a strong executive leadership structure capable of managing a diversified portfolio operating across the UK and Europe.

Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business Studies (Accountancy & Commercial Law) – Wigan & Leigh College and University Centre