Business Consultancy | Commercial Growth Strategy |

Business
Consultancy

Know there’s more growth in your business, brand or product – but need an experienced commercial brain to help you unlock it?

From commercial strategy and routes to market to retail growth, UK market entry, product launches and sales acceleration, I bring 30+ years of real-world commercial experience to challenge the thinking, spot the opportunities and turn ambition into action.

Contact me to find out more

Get strategic with your business

What we can work on together

After we have discussed your unique goals, objectives, needs and requirements, we can work on multiple areas of your business development. This could include:

  • Routes to market
  • Sales and marketing plans
  • Product launch strategy
  • Growth strategies
  • Sales Channel Strategy
  • Category and competitor audits
  • Brand Development
  • Category benchmarking
  • A full 360° blueprint on how to develop and launch a product

Why work with me?

When you work with me, you’re not getting commercial theory from someone who has only ever advised from the sidelines.

I bring more than 30 years of real-world commercial, leadership and entrepreneurial experience, spanning FMCG, retail, hospitality, business growth and brand development.

I built my own FMCG brand from start-up to £2 million turnover in four years, securing national retail listings and international distribution before successfully exiting the business. I’ve pitched on BBC Dragons’ Den, authored bestselling business and leadership books, and worked with UK and international businesses on commercial strategy, routes to market, retail, product launches and growth.

I understand what sits behind the strategy too – getting products listed, managing customers, developing propositions, making margin work, launching NPD, navigating setbacks and making commercial decisions when there isn’t a perfect answer.

I’ve also supported international brands entering the UK market, helping them understand the commercial landscape and translate opportunity into practical market activation.

That combination means I can quickly get underneath what is happening, challenge assumptions and help turn complexity into clear commercial priorities and action.

I don’t consult from the sidelines. I bring the perspective of someone who has built, sold, led and grown businesses herself.

Commercial Support That Counts

Sometimes the challenge isn’t knowing that the business needs to grow. It’s knowing where to focus, what to prioritise and which opportunities are genuinely worth pursuing.

I work with founders, business owners, senior leaders and commercial teams who need experienced external thinking around a specific challenge, opportunity or period of growth.

That might mean reviewing your route to market, challenging your commercial strategy, helping shape a product or brand launch, identifying new growth opportunities, strengthening your retail proposition or bringing clarity to a business with too many competing priorities.

I can work independently with you, alongside your existing team or as an experienced external perspective at key points in the commercial journey.

My approach is straightforward, commercially grounded and action-focused. I’ll ask the questions that need asking, challenge where challenge is needed and help turn strategic thinking into practical next steps.

The aim isn’t consultancy for consultancy’s sake. It’s better commercial decisions, stronger execution and meaningful progress.

Get in touch

Innovation + positive disruption = your best chance of success

I undertake selected commercial consultancy projects where my experience can add genuine value.

If you’re facing a growth challenge, exploring a new market, launching a product or brand, reviewing your commercial strategy or simply need an experienced external perspective, get in touch and tell me what you’re working through.

We can then explore whether I’m the right fit and what a bespoke consultancy engagement could look like.

What my previous clients say...

Through Claire’s insight & experience we’ve been able to open up new routes to market; I couldn’t praise her enough.

Rob Rona | Director of New Markets, Products and Services | Lighterlife

Before I started working with Claire, I was struggling with gaining clarity in my business and creating manageable timelines to work to, so that I didn’t feel overwhelmed. I’m so glad I took the leap and I asked Claire for her mentorship and to coach me. With Claire’s help, I’ve managed to really have several breakthroughs personally and, in my business, which have led to personal success and personal growth, as well as the growth of my business.

Thank you so much, Claire, for your help. I really appreciate all of the advice that you’ve imparted upon me. To anyone that’s thinking of working with Claire, I would really highly recommend her as she’s such a straight talker. You will get plenty of actionable points to take away and you will learn so much in the process. Thank you so much, Claire.

Gemma Wilson | Vala Energy

Not every day do you come across someone with such a mind full of valuable knowledge. A well-focused competent person with a strong emphasis on delivering the best for both you and your business. If you want a clear path to success, I highly recommend Claire.

Tricia McNeilly | Founder | Õtzibrew

Claire is an incredible mentor, from focusing my vision to actually getting things done to giving me positive inspiration to continue moving forward when all about you feels hard and impossible. Well worth the investment!

Carole Armitage | 80Noir Ultra

Before we booked our sessions with Claire, we were feeling overwhelmed. We had too many tasks, too many things going on, and it was just all very confusing. Claire helped us set out some key goals and helped us work out a clear path into how we achieve those goals. We definitely highly recommend Claire. She’s a lovely person, and she really helped us and understood our business with a whole wealth of knowledge. As well, it’s really great to know someone who has actually been in your shoes.

Joe & Dara | Founders | Pure Recharge

Claire your delightful and transparent approach has made our dealings with you a pure joy. More than this though your business sense and honest advice has been key to getting us where we are today.

Paula & Maria | Founders | Junius

I am easily distracted by new ideas and new possibilities for my business.

Claire offered invaluable support in helping me to focus my efforts on selling the products I already have, so that I have the bottom line with which to develop those new ideas.

Her clarity of thought really allowed me to see where the true potential in my business lies, and our regular chats held me accountable to staying on course. Highly recommended.

Belinda Clark | Belinda Clark Confectionery

I met Claire a few years before I needed her help, but when the time came, I knew exactly who to call. I was at a crossroads in the early stages of building my business, not really understanding which way to turn and which path to take. Claire came to the rescue with her amazing clear mind and organization. She sent me pre-work; we had the call which was I believe a 90-minute planning call. Then she sent me homework and my action plan.

Following that call, I felt that I was a lot more confident and clearer in where I was taking the business. As a result, I hit my targets for the year, both financially and the softer goals. Afterward, I’ve really thought about what we talked about in that meeting, and I’ve continued to implement her ideas. I have her sitting on my shoulder, the little voice guiding me through the process and making sure that the business is the one I want to create. If you need someone in your corner, I highly recommend Claire. I couldn’t have got to where I am now without her. I look forward to working with her again in the future.

Stacy Cronly-Dillon | Sunnyfields Honey

I hired Claire as a mentor during the pre-launch stage of Salsa Stories to get me on the right track with dotting all the i’s and crossing all the t’s in time for the big day. As a newcomer to the industry her advice was invaluable. She is a veritable fountain of knowledge! Drawing from her own experience running an FMCG business and her wider expertise within the industry she helped get me up to speed, develop an action plan and execute it! Her insight helped inform a killer business plan that landed me some finance opportunities and a production unit of my own. Her email support was like having an accountability partner to whip me into shape and spur me into action. 6 months on I am still looking at the notes from our sessions and there are still plenty of gems (diamonds 😉) for me to pursue. 100% recommend!

Julie McCalden | Salsa Stories

We took our business as far as we could ourselves, and it was in probably a little bit of a limbo of where it’s going with terms. Even though there’s two of us, we still felt lonely. I was so glad we took the plunge because she’s helped us with so much.  We find Claire very motivational. She gives us that kick when we need it; we say that she should sell her motivation in little bottles!  Amazing, amazing, amazing woman inside, outside, fantastic. She knows her stuff, definitely, and has a cracking sense of humour, lovely person, goes above and beyond. Claire is your woman.

Tam & Lisa | Founders | The Peckish Artisan Kitchen

Nottingham Trent University
Virgin Start Up
BBC
Forbes
The Business Book Awards Finalist 2019
National Mentoring Awards Nominee 2019
Woman
University College Birmingham
London South Bank University
Doncaster Chamber
Daily Mirror
Daily Mail
Daily Express
Brad Burton
Arla
Metro
Dragons' Den
e-factor Business
Bread & Jam
Pink Spaghetti PA Services
London Metropolitan University
DISC
International Coaching Federation
Associate Certified Coach