Ben Stanford - Startup/business growth/scale/business consultant,

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Work Background

Owner, Multi Site Hospitality, Leisure & AccomodationOwner, Multi Site Hospitality, Leisure & Accomodation

Jan. 2021Led successful acquisition and subsequent expansion of a multi-site hospitality business, demonstrating strong commercial acumen and strategic growth capabilities. Responsible for full P&L management, operational strategy, and business development across multiple revenue streams including hospitality and accommodation services.

VariousCovid - Various

Apr. 2020 - Jan. 2021During the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, leveraged leadership experience to support local business continuity and community resilience initiatives while managing family responsibilities.

Privately owned, Digital Debt Collection; B2B Service Provider.Co-Founder & Director

Jul. 2019 - Mar. 2020United Kingdom

Privately owned, Industrial Metal Coatings SpecialistDirector

Apr. 2015 - Mar. 2019Wolverhampton, United KingdomLed comprehensive business transformation program as Director/General Manager, demonstrating expertise in strategic planning, P&L management, and operational excellence. Successfully executed business turnaround strategy, culminating in profitable asset sale and seamless transition to new ownership. Key Achievements: • Assumed full P&L responsibility and strategic leadership of operations following progression from consultant to Director/GM, managing successful transition of founding MD to advisory role. • Implemented comprehensive business transformation program delivering significant operational improvements and enhanced financial performance: • Restructured organisational processes and workflows. • Established clear reporting lines and accountability. • Introduced performance management frameworks. • Developed succession planning strategies. • Secured ISO 9001 & 14001 certifications, implementing robust Quality Management and Environmental Management Systems that align with current telecoms industry compliance requirements. • Led and developed 17-person workforce through period of meaningful change: • Created performance measurement frameworks. • Implemented skills development programs. • Established succession planning for key roles. • Maintained team engagement during transition. • Successfully managed complete business sale process: • Led due diligence procedures. • Maintained business performance during transition. • Ensured retention of key staff and customers • Created & executed structured handover to new management.

Privately owned, IT Managed Service Provider (B2B sales)Head of Business Development

Aug. 2014 - Mar. 2015Stafford (Office Based)Involved strategic growth initiatives in technology and communications sector, progressing rapidly from New Business Sales Account Manager to Head of Business Development. Led creation and launch of new Business Communications Division, demonstrating expertise in technology solution development and market expansion. Key Achievements: • Conceived and launched new Business Communications Division within aggressive 6-week timeline: Conducted market analysis and opportunity assessment. o Developed comprehensive business case and strategy. o Established strategic partnerships with key suppliers. o Created go-to-market strategy and digital presence. o Built scalable operational framework. • Led team of 2 FTE (Account Management and Marketing) in executing division launch and growth strategy: Implemented reporting structures. o Aligned activities with corporate objectives. • Managed strategic partnership with Black Country Growth Hub and West Midlands Manufacturing Consortium: o Delivered technology optimisation programme. o Facilitated knowledge transfer workshops. o Provided strategic consultancy to business leaders. O Built relationships with key regional stakeholders

Venture capital backed Competitor Intelligence SaaS provider (Corporate Sales)Account Manager

Apr. 2009 - Apr. 2014Nationwide (Home Based)As Account Manager, I was responsible for a portfolio of major telecommunications providers and utilities companies, driving business transformation and revenue growth through innovative technical solutions. Managing virtual teams across multiple locations, I oversaw the complete customer lifecycle from pre-sales and solution design through to implementation and ongoing service delivery on multiple projects. This role required deep telecommunications industry knowledge, strategic leadership, and the ability to operate at board level while maintaining oversight of technical delivery and operational excellence. Key Achievements: • Oversaw commercial growth of annual contracted revenue through strategic account management of major telecommunications providers including Apple, Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile and EE. • A point of contact for end-to-end service delivery operations, incldung cross-functional virtual teams including Business Analysts, Technical Resources, and Service Delivery specialists to ensure seamless solution implementation. • Developed and executed comprehensive account development strategies in collaboration with Board-level stakeholders, focusing on revenue growth and service expansion. • Orchestrated large-scale training programs, personally overseeing the development and delivery of technical training to 1,250+ users across multiple UK locations. • Collaborated with virtual teams to architect and document complex customer requirements for telecommunications solutions. • Successfully progressed from Account Support Manager to Account Manager, demonstrating strong leadership capabilities and commercial acumen • Created and presented strategic proposals and technical solutions to C-level stakeholders across major telecommunications and utility companies.

FTSE 100, Telecoms provider. (Business Sales)Business Account Manager - BAM (Secondment)

Feb. 2008 - Nov. 2008London (Home Based)As Business Account Manager, I progressed from Regional Business Specialist to managing strategic relationships across a multi-million-pound portfolio of enterprise accounts, each with up to five hundred users. Operating within one of the UK's largest telecommunications providers, I was responsible for developing and executing comprehensive account growth strategies, focusing on product diversification and customer retention through technical innovation and service excellence. The role required deep understanding of enterprise telecommunications solutions, strategic account planning, and the ability to drive revenue growth while maintaining strong customer relationships across complex organisational structures. Key Achievements: • Led strategic planning and execution for a major enterprise account portfolio, managing telecommunications services for organisations with up to five hundred users per account. • Developed and implemented comprehensive account growth strategies, focusing on increasing product adoption and cross selling opportunities across the full solution portfolio. • Created and executed detailed account development plans for top-tier enterprise clients, identifying opportunities for technical innovation and service expansion. • Drove product entanglement initiatives, successfully introducing new technologies and solutions to expand client relationships beyond core services. • Established and maintained C-level relationships across the account base, acting as a trusted advisor on telecommunications strategy and digital transformation. • Built and maintained strong relationships with internal stakeholders including Product, Technical, and Service Delivery teams to ensure alignment with customer needs. • Leveraged deep understanding of business customer requirements to shape product propositions and service delivery strategies. • Consistently achieved retention targets while driving organic growth through new product adoption and service expansion

FTSE 100, Telecoms provider. (Business Sales)Business Advisor

Oct. 2005 - Jan. 2008

TravellingCareer Break

Jul. 2005 - Sep. 200512 week trip to Peru, South America.

FTSE 100, Telecoms Retailer. (Consumer Sales)Assistant Manager

Aug. 2002 - Jun. 2005