Steven Harrison

Results-driven executive and brand strategist with over 20 years of progressive leadership spanning entrepreneurial venture creation, strategic programme direction in complex public sector environments, and international business scaling. Proven founder of a leading 5-star UK wellness brand (Flora Fusion CBD), successfully navigating highly regulated markets through ethical positioning, educational content strategy, digital-first customer experiences, and rigorous compliance. Expert in directing multi-million-pound portfolios, embedding governance innovations, and delivering measurable under-budget outcomes while building high-performing, cross-functional teams.

Combines visionary brand building, P&L ownership, hybrid methodology mastery (PRINCE2/Agile/Waterfall), and cross-cultural acumen (Egypt scaling, Australian/British perspective, extensive international travel) to drive transformative growth, operational excellence, and sustainable competitive advantage. Seeking C-Suite or Head of Brand Strategy roles to apply proven expertise in brand positioning, digital transformation, executive governance, and stakeholder influence.

Senior Project Manager – Strategic Programme Leadership - University of Edinburgh - Edinburgh, UK

(2025-09)

• Direct flagship cross-directorate strategic change programme, providing executive-level oversight to align institutional priorities, legislative higher education mandates, and multi-year strategic plans in a high-complexity, change-resistant matrix organisation.
• Lead governance structures and integrated compliance/risk frameworks; drive executive escalation, portfolio-wide dependency management, and complex stakeholder alignment at the senior leader level.
• Oversee portfolio-level budgeting, planning, resource strategy, and programme refinement; enhance executive reporting and insights on performance, risks, safety metrics, and strategic deliverables to governance boards.
• Exercise daily strategic negotiation and executive influence to resolve interdependencies, prioritise competing demands, and secure timely decisions while upholding quality.

Project Manager – Estate & Facilities Portfolio Direction - Edinburgh Napier University - Edinburgh, UK

(2022-01 - 2025-08)

• Provided senior leadership for £5M+ estate portfolio; directed health & safety governance (CDM/IOSH focus), facilities strategy implementation, and executive reporting to University Court and senior teams.
• Led high-profile, high-risk live-site transformations, including flagship £2.2M Category 1 teaching laboratory delivered £300k under budget (£1.9M final) through strategic procurement, senior contract oversight, and rigorous CDM compliance navigation.
• Designed and implemented enterprise hybrid systems and real-time performance dashboards, elevating PMO capability for strategic oversight of time-cost-quality-regulatory-safety metrics across the portfolio.
• Resolved stalled strategic initiatives via executive escalation, cross-functional alignment, and portfolio-level remediation while embedding preventative health & safety measures and audit governance.

Founder & Strategic Director – Brand & Operations - Flora Fusion CBD - Scotland, UK

(2016-01)

Part-time strategic oversight

• Conceived, founded and built a boutique legacy CBD wellness brand from concept in 2016 to an established 5-star rated UK e-retail leader (Trustpilot 5.0), renowned for ethical sourcing, sustainability, lab-testing, organic/vegan standards and educational differentiation in a highly regulated, stigma-challenged sector.
• Defined brand positioning, customer journey strategy and educational content marketing to re-educate consumers and build trust; launched and continuously optimised e-commerce platform (WordPress/WooCommerce) with strong UI/UX, personal consultation model and newsletter engagement driving loyalty and reputation.
• Successfully navigated complex UK regulatory landscape (MHRA, novel food regulations, advertising standards, Home Office guidelines); maintained full compliance while pioneering higher industry standards and public awareness of CBD benefits and the endocannabinoid system.
• Oversaw full P&L accountability, low-capital scaling, supplier alliances, risk governance and strategic partnerships; sustained 9+ years of trading with strong customer recognition, pet-inclusive innovation and ethical brand values. Currently extending digital brand expertise through Glasgow SEO (glasgowseo.uk) local search & digital optimisation venture.

Project Director / Founder – International Business Scaling & Transformation - Fusion Global Services - Cairo, Egypt / Fife, Scotland

(2016-11 - 2019-07)

• Directed international business transformation and offshore outsourcing scaling, aligning global strategies with cultural nuances, compliance requirements and applicable governance frameworks across geographies.
• Achieved rapid low-capital growth: established working infrastructure on $5k USD, generating £250k+ revenue within six months; scaled in-house team from 5 to peak 32 operatives, including training and development of senior management and executive functions.
• Personally project-managed (waterfall methodology) all key stages of a bespoke client ERP system development – requirements, system design, implementation, testing and deployment to successful client handover with business readiness exceeding expectations.
• Formed strategic international alliances and partnerships; acted as consultant and support function for shareholders and board while embedding international legal guidelines and strong business ethics for sustained foreign compliance and operational excellence.

Senior Project Manager - Edinburgh Leisure - Edinburgh, UK

(2019-07 - 2020-06)

Directed public sector capital programmes including £2.3M+ heritage refurbishment (live-site, CDM compliant, on time/budget); developed bespoke hybrid LeAgile delivery methodology and led compliance training across portfolios.

Project Manager - Havelock Europa

(2007-12 - 2009-12)

Led multi-site financial sector change programme (32-site HBOS rebrand/rollout, £355k+ budgets) for major UK banks; delivered improved profit margins, on-time completion and consistent H&S adherence (IOSH/COSHH/CSCS).

Founder/MD - Flora Fusion

Early phase & additional construction/retail ventures. Demonstrated full-lifecycle brand conception, procurement systems, supply chain/operations management, communications strategy and low-capital startup execution in competitive markets.

BA (Hons) - International Business Management - Edinburgh Napier University (2012-01 - 2016-01)