Experienced Part-Time Commercial Directors

Rob is a forward-thinking CIMA qualified Management Accountant. He has both founded and taken over existing businesses, as well as invested in a number of start-up companies. Rob’s passion is to help SMEs and entrepreneurs to move their business forward by providing flexible access to excellent strategic advice and guidance.

He has worked with a range of SME companies helping them overcome challenges and enhance business performance to take them to the next level.

At Evoke Management, Rob has grown a team of experienced portfolio Finance and Commercial directors who work on a part-time basis with companies to add value to the senior team by plugging a knowledge or skills gap. Rob has a hands on approach to keeping involved and remains engaged with all the Evoke clients that his team supports.

Rob also brings like minded business owners and founders together through his business International Leaders UK, where they learn from each other, as well as a community of trusted advisors and experts. In 2022, Rob started the Move Your Business Forward Podcast with a focus on sharing business insights and entrepreneurs’ stories to help inspire, encourage and educate others on moving their business forward.

When he’s not working, Rob loves spending time with his family, and can often be found near or on water – he’s a passionate Yachtmaster, partial to both sailing and motorboats.

David is a serial entrepreneur with over 30 years’ experience of starting and growing SME businesses, leading to successful exits to organisations such as Trader Media Group (AutoTrader).

His love of business began in his teens, as the UK national winner of the Young Enterprise Business Competition, before going on to head companies primarily specialising in sales and marketing.

He has a hands on, friendly approach, with a ‘been there, done that’ attitude and now thrives on helping other business owners realise their ambitions.”

Liz is a versatile business leader with 20 years experience in a variety of sectors including financial services, telecoms, property and professional services. Having delivered results in both entrepreneurial and PE backed businesses, Liz has significant experience in working with regulated firms in the Financial Sector, and firms undergoing change and growth.

With a proven ability to influence at Board level, Liz has a high drive and work ethic to deliver pragmatic, business focused solutions in high growth businesses. She is a trusted partner within the C Suite known for her ability to achieve change and work with colleagues to drive results.

Liz’s areas of expertise include:

• Growth strategy
• Exit strategy
• Commercial strategy to tactical execution
• Change Management
• Marketing strategy and execution
• Client acquisition and retention strategies, client journey 

Her most recent role with Hamilton Court, as Chief Operating Officer, has overseen growth from £10m to £40m revenue in 3 years and headcount growth of 25 to 150 people, with a multi-brand strategy focusing on both top line performance and high profitability.

Sam brings over 19 years of experience working closely with over 100 businesses in their strategic planning and implementation to unlock growth, commercial value and strategic direction.   With her passion for identifying and creating launch and growth opportunities in relevant product sectors and commercial markets she has worked on projects that include establishing and adjusting business plans, proposition development and market landscaping, initiating product, pricing, sales and marketing strategies, core positioning and messaging, customer alignment and contingency planning.

Not always a consultant, Sam is an award winning entrepreneur who started her first business at 26, following an MBA in Madrid, launching and distributing international brands into the UK market.   Since then she has worked for Start-ups and SME’s across multiple service and product industries to include luxury goods, FMCG, fashion, beauty and well being, healthcare, food and cleaning. 

With her extensive knowledge and ability to communicate across all structures she is particularly interested in helping companies understand their markets and competitive environments, achieve their long term goals, seize those opportunities and the resulting strategic implications

Jonty is a seasoned entrepreneur having owned and run successful consumer focused businesses gaining extensive experience in manufacturing, the start-up process, fast growth and building brands.

Over 11 years he founded, owned and ran Burts Potato Chips, a successful consumer brand,  manufacturer and high growth business, operating in an incredibly competitive market-place. He successfully exited in 2012.

He then set up and ran Portlebay Popcorn, another manufacturing consumer brand, gaining fast traction in the multiples and building another successful FMCG brand, before selling the business in 2018.

Jonty is equally at home advising on processes, systems and distribution, as he is securing investment, managing growth and selling businesses. He now uses this experience to pass on the lessons he has learnt.

Stuart is a much respected and experienced leader with extensive experience in strategy, finance, sales, product development, supply chain management, and marketing.

Initially qualifying as a  Chartered Accountant, his career to date has included a broad range of senior roles including FD, MD and CEO positions, from which he has led transformations and innovations to improve product quality, brand identity, customer satisfaction, sales performance and organisational efficiency. His strategies have led to global growth and record profitability levels, earning critical acclaim and industry awards whilst becoming more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Stuart's unique combination of strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and creative problem-solving makes him an ideal choice for businesses looking for a dynamic and principled leader to help them grow and thrive. He provides valuable strategic guidance, creates purposeful strategies and offers actionable insights to help businesses achieve their goals.

Stephen has over 30 years of leadership experience in the UK, US and Middle East, spanning roles of Chair, Managing Director, Executive Director and Board Adviser, and more than 20 years as a business founder and owner. A proven change leader and team builder, he has worked extensively with SME businesses across sectors including manufacturing and operations, construction, architecture, design and project management. 

Pragmatic and collaborative, Stephen has led sustainable growth and profitability in each of these companies by establishing coherent sales and marketing strategies; implementing rigorous financial controls and procedures, increasing productivity, streamlining operations and driving efficiencies. 

He spearheaded the successful expansion of several companies into international markets and has personally led numerous high-value contract negotiations with multinationals and government organisations.

An excellent strategist and communicator, Stephen is focused on helping business owners solve immediate challenges, identify efficiencies and areas for growth, develop their company’s value and market position and meet their longer term aspirations.

Ian is a highly experienced Director with a proven track record in business leadership, strategic planning and people development. He has consistently delivered significant value across a wide range of industries and business sizes, both in the UK and internationally.

Although undoubtedly a generalist, his experience includes manufacturing, logistics and asset / financial services, along with the education, learning and skills sector. Most recently, he led the successful global launch of a market leading top-tier motor racing product.

Ian combines determination with a collaborative and engaging approach. His passion lies in sharing extensive practical knowledge and experience, showcasing genuine understanding of challenges faced at all levels of organisations. This was particularly evident during his 15 years as Chairman of an SME engineering skills training organisation.