HBX
Helping Businesses Transform
HBX
Helping Businesses Transform
"...and all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by..."
John Mansfield, Sea-Fever, 1902
About Us
Our Mission
Get the ball rolling uphill.....
At HBX, our mission is to help businesses achieve sustainable growth and success by providing them with expert business and management advisory services, delivered by seasoned operational veterans who are experts in their field.
“…there is nothing more difficult to arrange, more doubtful of success, more dangerous to carry through than initiating change…”
The Prince, 1513
The Problem
Business leaders find it difficult to objectively see the transformation required in their teams, processes, profile and approach.
At HBX we have all been in those positions. We are NOT consultants but have been executives and operators that have been through (sometimes painful!!) transformations.
Business change is inevitable. Adapting to technology/AI, economic changes, political upheavals as well as emerging opportunities all requires teams, process and market engagement at the flip of switch. Those in business know that just not possible.
Thats where we operate. Not to consult but to advice and if need to be to work directly with the team as adjunct c-suite members to guide the business through the maelstrom and on to the other side.
Our Services
We take a holistic approach to our services, focusing on every aspect of a business's operations to identify areas for improvement and growth.
Every business needs to adapt. We work alongside management teams through hands-on executive, strategic advisory and business-planning engagements. We provide
- Business readiness reviews for fund-raising, market entry exit, shareholder exit scenarios.
- Pre and post fund raising support
- New product/proposition Go to Market planning
- Marketing Strategy
- Organisational Review and Restructure
- Financial review
- Review of Corporate Governance and Risk review
- Fractional CXO (Marketing, Finance, Business Development, Strategy)
Our Team
We are a team of experienced entrepreneurs and business professionals with diverse C-Suite backgrounds. We are passionate about helping businesses succeed and are committed to delivering exceptional service to our clients.
We focus where we understand the terrain: Technology, Software, Outsourcing, Business Services, Media & Digital.
HBX Case Studies
Start up to Multiple Exits
Fund raising and Acquisition
Fund raising and Acquisition
Built an international outsourcing operation from the ground up, assembling the executive and management teams and raising growth capital from major institutional investors. Grew the business to a team of over 2,800 across two greenfield sites and revenues exceeding £40m at 15% EBITDA, delivering year-on-year growth above 200%. Supported a private equity buyout of the wider group and remained on as chairman through the transition. Earlier in the same corporate family, grew a separate business unit from £3m to £50m in three years, raising over £40m of private equity investment along the way.
Fund raising and Acquisition
Fund raising and Acquisition
Fund raising and Acquisition
Brought in to be CEO at a founder led technology business, led multiple capital raises totalling over £33m from a family office backers, funding the company's growth from a handful of sites to a national footprint. Secured investor confidence through a period spanning significant organic growth, acquisition and product expansion, while sustaining a growth trajectory. Built the board governance structure, non-executive directors and external advisory panels needed to support institutional-grade fundraising and reporting, giving investors the transparency and oversight required to back successive funding rounds.
Finanacial Restructure
Fund raising and Acquisition
National Product Deployment
Engineered a £50m+ balance sheet restructuring for a private equity-backed technology and services business, working closely with shareholders and banking stakeholders through a period of financial distress. Rebuilt the senior leadership team, bringing in new finance, technology, sales and operations leadership, and overhauled the commercial engine—lifting the sales pipeline from £20m to £90m+ and tender submissions from 2 to 40 a year at a 60% win rate. Grew the revenue base while cutting the cost base by over 25%, culminating in a successful trade sale.
National Product Deployment
Risk Assessment in Listed Co.
National Product Deployment
Scaled an education technology platform from three sites to over 2,200, reaching more than 55% of the national market and expanding into 25+ countries. Grew the user base from 500 to 2.2 million+ users while expanding from a single product to a multi-product, multi-territory offering with 90%+ retention. Platform efficacy was independently validated and published by a leading institution, giving the national rollout credible third-party evidence of impact at a scale rarely achieved in the sector.
Risk Assessment in Listed Co.
Risk Assessment in Listed Co.
Risk Assessment in Listed Co.
As a non-executive director of a FTSE-listed investment company with a growth portfolio exceeding £220m, sits on the Audit and Risk, Nominations, Management Engagement and Valuations committees, taking on the Audit Committee Chair role. Constructively challenges and contributes to investment strategy and policy, and monitors the investment manager's performance against agreed portfolio goals, while discharging statutory, fiduciary and legal duties as a plc director. The fund has been top-rated for shareholder returns. Supported over £115m of oversubscribed retail fundraising.
Organisation Restructure
Risk Assessment in Listed Co.
Risk Assessment in Listed Co.
Brought in to restore financial discipline at a global charitable trust with £95m+ revenue and 1200+ staff, disposed of three non-core subsidiaries to bolster cash reserves to £30m+ amid an uncertain economic climate. Restructured the cost base down while protecting year-on-year profit margin, and reorganised the global structure to improve accountability and growth. Stood up a new executive team spanning people, finance, operations, technology and education, and introduced a new board reporting structure to improve transparency—laying the groundwork for a five-year strategic plan investing in growth and technology
The eXperts
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D is a transformational CEO turned business advisor, with a 25-year record scaling and restructuring Private Equity, Venture and Family office-backed companies across technology and business services. He has also run a global charitable trust, He has raised £100m+ in institutional capital and £115m in retail funds, delivered multiple exit
D is a transformational CEO turned business advisor, with a 25-year record scaling and restructuring Private Equity, Venture and Family office-backed companies across technology and business services. He has also run a global charitable trust, He has raised £100m+ in institutional capital and £115m in retail funds, delivered multiple exits, driven both acquisition and organic growth, run businesses from start-up to £90m+. He has built national and international businesses, restructured cost bases, led AI-driven transformation, and driven global revenue growth.
An active angel investor across 40+ companies and currently Audit Committee Chair at Foresight VCT plc , Dan brings execution-first judgement to boards and leadership teams navigating growth, turnaround or exit.
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An Executive Director with a proven background in strategic development from within the Retail, Financial Services, Pharmaceutical and Outsourcing service sectors. Over 20 years’ experience of building and managing high level international multi-site operations across the EMEA region. A motivated action driven people leader who can inspir
An Executive Director with a proven background in strategic development from within the Retail, Financial Services, Pharmaceutical and Outsourcing service sectors. Over 20 years’ experience of building and managing high level international multi-site operations across the EMEA region. A motivated action driven people leader who can inspire senior teams into exceeding corporate objectives by creating a culture that is completely focused on excellence. A strong record of success in the turnaround of businesses ensuring financial viability and profitability. Excellent communication skills that build and establish long-term relationships with both internal and external stakeholders
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Experienced CMO/Director with a demonstrated history of working TTL in senior Agency and Client side roles both B2C/B2B and B2B2C. Extensive C-Suite, Board and senior stakeholder relationship management. Skilled in Corporate Communications, Brand, Advertising, Digital and Peformance Marketing strategies and management of multi-channel, aw
Experienced CMO/Director with a demonstrated history of working TTL in senior Agency and Client side roles both B2C/B2B and B2B2C. Extensive C-Suite, Board and senior stakeholder relationship management. Skilled in Corporate Communications, Brand, Advertising, Digital and Peformance Marketing strategies and management of multi-channel, award-winning campaigns for growth. Experience of large corporates to start up/high growth environments in UK and International settings. High performing team lead and manager. Specific sector experience in Education and Skills/EdTech and Financial Services.
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Strategy & Growth — strategy, market insights, organisational positioning and comms
Programmes & Impact — programme design, project management, evaluation and impact measurement
Commercial & Investment — due diligence, market entry, and investment strategy for investors, education businesses and schools
Funding & Partnerships — donor eng
Strategy & Growth — strategy, market insights, organisational positioning and comms
Programmes & Impact — programme design, project management, evaluation and impact measurement
Commercial & Investment — due diligence, market entry, and investment strategy for investors, education businesses and schools
Funding & Partnerships — donor engagement, diversification, and partnership development
Advisory for Innovators — supporting start-ups with strategic advice, positioning and scaling
eXpert pedigree
Services + Capabilities
Business and Financial Strategy
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Institutional Fundraising
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Market Development
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Business Development
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Operational Efficiency
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Organisational Change
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Fractional / Advisory C-Suite
CRO
CMO
CFO
CBDO
Sectors
Technology
Fin Tech
Ed Tech
Med Tech
Business Services
Outsourcing
Phrama Services
Private Equity Porfolios
Education
High Education
Independent Schools
Public
Local Authorities
Charitable Trusts
Foundations
Transport