Profiles
A quick look at our team members’ backgrounds shows how truly global we are as individuals. One can see how our international experience can bring the best set of skills to address your company’s issues. Not only do we assist you to build and strengthen your management team, but also when it comes to solution design. While we do use "best-in-class solutions", most importantly, we ensure that the designs match your organization’s capabilities to implement them, while stretching the organization without breaking it.
A business executive with over 20 years of experience, having held direct operational positions for a number of reputable and global companies such as IBM and Nissan, as well as several years as a senior partner in a management consulting firm, serving the US, Europe, Middle-East and the North African markets.
With in-depth knowledge of the automotive, manufacturing, banking, telecommunication, IT, services, contracting/construction, and retail & distribution sectors and a professional career that begun in the United States, traversed Europe, the Middle-East, North Africa as well as Asia-Pacific – including 5 years in Japan.
Strengths include strategic planning, operational cost control, restructuring and institutionalization, sale and channel development, as well as the support functions, such as HR/talent management, IT, purchasing, outsourcing, etc.
Holder of an Executive MBA from IBM MDC (Wharton Business School Program), having also completed the Nissan Global Executive Training (GET) Program and graduated from La Salle University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science.
Seasoned, dynamic Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer with over 20 years of inspiring and leading international organisations and personnel to achieve their objectives, consistently exceeding expectations. International career spans publicly listed, private equity backed and family owned organisations. Chartered Accountant in both the United Kingdom and South Africa reinforced with an MBA in the United States combined with a richness of current and past Executive and Non-Executive director appointments.
Drives complex corporate finance, M&A, business turnarounds and company-wide enhancement initiatives. Maximises revenues and business efficiencies based on comprehensive analysis and strategic management initiatives. Strong organisation and process leadership capabilities and experience across multiple industries and geographies including some major global brands.
Well versed in debt instruments, corporate turnarounds, and financial modelling, Other strengths include international joint ventures, project planning and management, in addition to implementation of company-wide strategic systems initiatives.
Senior Advisers
A business executive with an extremely broad experience, encompassing management of multinationals in developing economies, 20 years of investment banking with the International Finance Corporation, and Board Member and advisor to the Chairman for the largest automotive distributor in the Middle east and North Africa.
Hands-on experience in all major business disciplines, from manufacturing and logistics, through corporate strategy formulation, and all personnel / organizational aspects.
Investment banking experience helped develop special skills in quickly and accurately assessing companies, detecting their strengths and weaknesses, and developing highly focused development strategies.
Direct business experience in all major markets across five continents, including Latin America, China, India, Russia and others.
In depth knowledge of corporate governance matters, including the factors that lead to effective company board performance.
Engineering background complemented with Harvard’s Senior Executive Development Program.
Ashley Ward is passionate about inspiring business leaders to make the most of their talents and their people. As a seven times CEO over 26 years with four public offerings behind him, he has experienced extreme learning. He led the IPO of Orchestream in 2000 to its £1b market cap, and as MD of Cray Communications/Anite Networks led the turnaround and executed its sale in two parts to Cable & Wireless and Intel. He has also led several other successful turnarounds, mostly in the IT sector, and has been involved in around 20 M&A transactions as CEO.
More recently, Ashley founded European Leaders’ academy workshops for GMs & CEOs as well as supporting coaching clients at various stages in their career. He combines the science of the best coaching practice along with a pragmatic approach to personal development. The aim is simple – help business leaders raise their game and transform the effectiveness of how they run their companies. At the heart of any business transformation or improvement is conscious behaviour and great communication and these two subjects are at the core of the client work undertaken. Ashley is a former professional racing driver and instructor and competed at international level for 13 seasons and in over 200 races.