POSITIVE MOMENTUM LIMITED - Key Persons
Abbey joined Positive Momentum in 2021. After graduating from University with a degree in Events Management, Abbey started her career in sales and events before realising that her real passion was to be found in the role of an Executive Assistant. Prior to Positive Momentum, Abbey finely tuned her EA skills supporting the Chief Executives' office within the NHS in the Sussex area.
Never one to be seen without a notebook full of to-do lists or an iced coffee in hand, Abbey loves getting stuck into projects and utilising her organisational skills in a company that challenges traditional ways of thinking and working; as an EA she thrives on offering a personalised service to our Partners - all the while having a smile on her face and aiming to go above and beyond expectations. Abbey prides herself on her ability to think outside the box and tackle the situation at hand without breaking a sweat, something she learnt from her days as a Wedding & Events Planner, and which is how a previous client gave her the nickname of 'Smile in a storm'!
When Abbey isn't working she is most likely to be found planning purchases for her new home by the seaside in Arundel (much to the delight of her Husband!). Her friends and family are scattered around the country so a trip to the countryside or a mini break back to their second home of Plymouth is always around the corner!
Abby joined Positive Momentum in 2023, bringing 10 year's of experience from both the Public and Private sectors. Abby's previous roles include PA to the Board of Directors at Liberty Gas Group, PA to the Dean of the School of Dentistry (University of Liverpool) and 2 years as Executive Personal Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer at the Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Abby enjoys supporting her Partners, driven by ensuring that they remain organised; have what they need, when they need it. She is motivated by working as part of a team and finds that the biggest benefit of her role at Positive Momentum is that it allows her to combine her love of the EA life with the social and support benefits of being part of the PM Support Team - the perfect fit!
Outside of work, Abby is an enthusiastic cook and self-confessed restaurant bore. Her spare time is usually spent googling which restaurant she will be dragging her partner David to next, attempting to (finally) complete the ‘Couch to 5k' or seeking out some Spanish tapas & sun.
Adrian has amassed a wealth of experience working in the B2B businesses for over 25 years in the UK, Europe and US; 10 years of that in global media organisations & over 15 years in technology businesses of all shapes and sizes.
His intent is always to help bring structured & predictable revenue & KPI achievement to clients by diving in as deep as is needed on the hard items, while ensuring the human touch is always evident in both words and deeds. Adrian is endlessly curious and loves all aspects of business & technology, especially the unique language of the ‘go-to-market' world.
After receiving classical sales training in his first role at Guardian Media Group, Adrian progressed to Publisher & Group Sales Manager at VNU, a global technology publisher & the organisation that lays claim to inventing the ‘challenger selling' model.
Adrian joined TripAdvisor pre-IPO, as senior director of hotel e-commerce sales in EMEA. Over 8 years he scaled revenues 12x, launched in 6 new countries and latterly took on responsibility for the Americas team, a move that made him responsible for over 50% of the organisation's revenue.
Amy's enormous wealth of experience supporting key executives in the travel, legal and arts and craft industries is a valuable asset to the PM support team. More recently working as EA to the CEO at a global community of growing law firm where she became well versed with working across multiple time zones.
Being an excellent communicator, Amy believes this is key to building a great trust-based working relationship with her partners - to really bring out the best in their partnership. Her positive practical approach enables Amy to make things happen, her partners are definitely in a safe pair of hands - allowing them to get on and build their thriving practice.
In her downtime Amy loves a good poke around an antiques shop and enjoys spending time with her family - they can often be found catching the latest marvel film at the cinema or enjoying a walk with their chocolate Labrador Delta on the local beach.
Focus on customer delight, and the everything will fall into place. That is the driving philosophy that underpins the many successful business outcomes that Ashish has engaged in over a lifetime in industry.
Ashish has grown from the front line to hold several global leadership positions over a career spanning more than 38 years in Sales, Marketing, Operations and Business Development. Besides his global strategic roles, he has worked in markets including USA, Middle East, South Asia, and South-East Asia. His experience spans across B2C and B2B segments, including both Direct and Indirect Routes-To-Market.
Working with a diverse range of companies (Multinationals, Public Sector and Private Companies, including Joint Ventures, Subsidiaries, and Listed Public companies) with complex matrix organisations and globally dispersed teams, as well as third party agencies and external partner organisations, Ashish has gained valuable insights in stakeholder management, managing across cultures, functional strategy, change management, good corporate governance, and the myriad challenges that companies are confronted with today. His past roles have been with Shell, Jio-bp (A Reliance & BP J.V.), Bharat Petroleum, Eveready, and Home Video. Through these roles, he has acquired deep insights into transport fuels, lubricants, convenience retailing, vehicle services, industrial fuels and chemicals, entertainment and FMCG.
Ashish is a seasoned business leader who now provides expertise in Leadership Development, Coaching, Training, Strategy, Marketing, Branding, Sales, and Business Development, to help companies achieve sustainable business growth.
Several of Ashish's thought-provoking articles have been published online, covering varied topics such as functional strategy, international business, and startups, amongst others. He has been a guest speaker at NUS-Singapore, an advisor for a New Market Entry and to the Singapore Government, a mentor for senior leaders, and even a start-up entrepreneur on his own. He is the recipient of several prestigious industry awards, including "Asia's Most Influential CMO's" and "Reader's Digest Trusted Brands".
With an MBA qualification, Ashish has regularly added to his domain knowledge by acquiring certifications from IIM-Ahmedabad, XLRI, Google, HubSpot among others. He was ranked in the Top 1% in a global Marketing Excellence Survey of 19000 managers. He is a member of the CMO Council Asia Pacific. He is currently obtaining accreditation from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, as a Certified Independent Director.
An ardent globetrotter, Ashish has visited every inhabited continent. His family is spread between India and UK.
Job Titles:
- Business Director Telefonica UK
During his early career in BT he was responsible for building enormous Satellite dishes in Cornwall, and running the world's first trials of satellite telephone communications for passengers on long haul aircraft.
Beverley joined Positive Momentum in 2022, shortly after relocating back to the UK having lived in South Africa with her family for a number of years. Beverley brings with her an awesome wealth of experience she has amassed over the last 20+ years' in Executive Assistant roles at Deloitte, Robert Dyas Ltd and SAB Miller.
Beverley loves that no two days are the same for an EA and everyday can throw up a different challenge for her to get her teeth into. One of Beverley's motivations to join Positive Momentum was to join a community of likeminded EAs who learn from and support each other, something she recognised quickly within the support team.
Beverley is also a wife and mum, and easily restores her work life balance being an avid runner (with a fast growing collection of running shoes), she also enjoys hiking and spending time with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Group Vice President, Verizon Business
Always looking for the path of most resistance he was ready for the corporate world, and has since developed a fantastic reputation as a leader throughout Europe.
Carly joined Positive Momentum in 2023, after 11+ years' experience of being an EA in various industries, including supporting the MD of an exclusive housing developer, the MD of a musical instrument manufacturer, the Partners at a Geologist company, and lastly before joining PM, PA to the partners at a large accountancy firm. She tried a role as a Project Coordinator, but soon realised her heart firmly lies with being an EA.
Carly thrives being an EA because it allows her to play to her strengths, being super organised - you won't catch Carly without a notebook and a to-do list! Her experience successfully managing multiple diaries means Carly juggles the busy lives of our partners providing seamless support- so that they are well prepared for their clients and able to truly shine - and all delivered by Carly in a calm, no-nonsense style. Carly loves being part of the community that the Positive Momentum Support Team have created of like-minded EAs who deliver rock star support.
When Carly isn't working, she is most likely to be found walking her french bulldog, Kobe, along the Gower coastline. Or, planning her and her fiancé's next weekend away, holiday or gig they can go to.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of Trustees
- Partner
Chris' career started in the Pharmaceutical Industry where he held many roles, but it was during an SAP implementation he discovered that he had the useful ability to understand and translate the needs of a business to the technical requirements for IT solutions and back again- which has proved to be extremely valuable throughout his career.
Naturally, Chris moved on into the SAP and the IT industry where he had leadership roles at SAP, Oracle, Adobe plus start-up Unicorns and pre-IPO companies. Though mainly in Presales leadership,over the last 25 years Chris has amassed a wealth of experience in Sales and Professional Services both in EMEA and globally. Chris has experienced the many vagaries of business life with companies experiencing high hopes and tough moments. From hyper-growth and accelerated recruitment to the harsh realities of redundancy programs and efficiency measures Chris has seen it all - working in those significant moments of change; those companies who had to mature their businesses, prepare for the scrutiny of public listing,or the perilous move from on-premise software to Cloud/SaaS payment models. Chris was always at the heart of these transformations, driving the change, introducing improved processes, coaching the people and showing what good looks like.
Outside of work Chris has always been keen to keep fit and loves all sports. He took up athletics a little later than most and found he was rather "good for his age". He has competed all over Europe and has been European bronze medallist for 400m, and is currently British champion at 400m for his age category! His passion for athletics is surpassed with his love for his large family, close friends and being outdoors as much as possible.
Chris is Chair of trustees for a small charity focused on poverty relief.
Francesca joined Positive Momentum in March 2021, bringing with her a fantastic wealth of experience gained over her career to date, first as an Assistant within the Commonwealth Development Corporation, before moving on as an Executive Assistant supporting senior level directors at various financial institutions, such as Merrill Lynch, ABN AMRO Group and latterly within the Natwest Group.
One of the first things that attracted Francesca to Positive Momentum was the impressive variety of experience that the partners bring along with PM's approach to helping clients.
Francesca loves the challenges of being an Executive Assistant, highly organised and ruthlessly efficient, she demonstrates the highest standard of integrity, continually looking to go above and beyond what is expected and always looking for ways to add further value in supporting her partners.
When Francesca isn't working you can most likely find her getting her groove on at a live music gig (anything from 70's, 80's through to American Rock) or running, hiking or cycling around Hertfordshire where she lives with her partner
Gareth is a rugby nut having played and coached for over 40 years and was the founding Chairman of Alresford Rugby. Music also plays a huge part in his life, playing keyboards and drums and he is also a keen leisure-time chef. Gareth is married with four adult children and lives in central London.
Gary is a serial turnaround expert with an extraordinary track record having held CEO positions with The Warranty Group, Together Money, Payzone and Secure Trust Bank. Prior to this he ran the UK branch network of Barclays Bank, was the Managing Director of B2B at Lex Vehicle Leasing and was the European Sales & Marketing Director of GE Capital.
Gary was Positive Momentum's first proper customer in early 2003 when he had the faith to hire Matt to deliver a sales skill development programme. He has been an invaluable client, sponsor and mentor ever since. In addition to his advisory role with PM he is also Chief Executive Officer of Amigo Loans Limited.
"What sets Grace apart is her consultative approach and ability to get the best out of people. She is also rigorous when it comes to ensuring that a project runs to time and is presented well. The team loved working with Grace and appreciated the support she gave to achieve the results required."
Graduating in the summer of 2023 from the University of Liverpool with a degree in Evolutionary Anthropology (!!) Heidi was enthusiastic about embarking on her professional journey in the real world.
Intrigued by the no nonsense culture and environmentally conscious values of PM, Heidi eagerly took up the role of Partner Support Assistant within the PM Support Team - with aspirations to become an EA in the future.
Job Titles:
- in 2024 As the Executive Assistant
- Support Team
Janet joined Positive Momentum in 2024 as the Executive Assistant to Matt Crabtree. Janet brings with her a wealth of experience in supporting senior executives across industries including banking, brewing and real estate. Her most recent role, supporting the CEO of one of the world's leading real estate advisory houses has left her very well versed in working a busy schedule across multiple timezones, supporting clients and colleagues across the globe.
Janet is particularly focused on the highest level of client service and executive support and sets herself a high bar in achieving best in class standards.
Following a move to Suffolk, Janet and her husband have spent a busy couple of years extending and renovating an old property, an ongoing project which sometimes feels endless! In the spare time that is left, she can usually be found in her rural garden, or volunteering for a variety of activities in the village including bar and barbecue shifts at the cricket club and helping out via the Good Neighbour Scheme with lifts, technical support, and marshalling cars for vaccination clinics. She regularly attends theatre performances, enjoying a wide variety of music, plays and other performances.
Julie is a lifelong learner and enjoyed a career break in 2009/2010 to undertake a full-time MBA at Manchester University, achieving a Distinction. When Julie is not working, she will be outdoors, either horse riding, walking the dogs or watching her twin boys play sport.
Kannan is an accounting graduate with a post graduation in Business Management. He brings in 27 years of diverse banking experience across MNCs - ANZ Grindlays Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, ABN AMRO, Royal Bank of Scotland group and Tata Consultancy Services.
His experience cover domestic banking in India in various client facing roles and in international banking as part of the BPM for over 15 years, leading large teams, managing international stakeholders across the globe and building capabilities.As part of his organisational role, Operational Service Delivery, Analytics, Change Management and Strategy. He has worked internationally in the UK as part of his banking career. He brings in a combination of business expertise and change delivery. Most recent corporate experience was in Tata Consultancy Services as part of their BFSI leadership team.
He is an ICF certified coach (PCC), Human Potential Assessor and certified in Stakeholder Centred Coaching (Marshall Goldsmith).He volunteers on the board of ICF chapter in Chennai as Director Programs.
He works in the areas of Risk Management, Organisational Change and Leadership Development.
Katalin joined Positive Momentum in Spring 2022, armed with a significant amount of professional experience as an Executive Assistant. Katalin has worked within many different countries and cultures, and in various industries and sectors - including the Financial, IT, Legal and Oil and Gas sectors to name a few. Katalin believes the knowledge and experience she has amassed during her career to date, well equips her to provide her partners with true rockstar support.
The Executive Assistant role is perfect for Katalin with a keen eye for attention to detail and very adept at problem-solving, Katalin loves that no two workdays are the same.
When she is not organising the busy schedules of her partners, Katalin can likely be found, camera in hand, in nature usually somewhere near a beach, or possibly combining both her passions using her drone to take aerial shots.
Job Titles:
- Founding Director, AEL Markhams
Jamie also had his own full service marketing agency, specialising in telecoms and technology across all European markets and clients including Seagate, Veritas, Motorola, Cabletron, Compaq and Nortel, launched the online greeting card business moonpig.com and co-founded the Shoots Garden Centre group.
Hardly a typical career path, but Jamie is not that typical. The common thread is business transformation, relationship building and vision. He creates and re-builds marketing functions, re-positions companies and brands and is a real change maker. He works very closely with CEOs and very often is a sounding board and confidant for broader areas of the business; a hang up of having done it himself. Jamie always looks at a business from the customer's perspective to simplify the message and does not get caught up in the unnecessary clutter that so often leads to sales prevention. Drive, energy, passion and enthusiasm are always evident with anything that Jamie turns his hand to.
Matt was a client of Jamie's for some years (starting in the last century!) and they have remained in touch throughout the growth and development of Positive Momentum. Now a partner with Positive Momentum Jamie's specialism's are company/brand strategy, growth, repositioning and transformation, creating and re-building sales and marketing functions, strategic creative marketing, finding new market opportunities, client development, and fresh thinking.
Most of Jamie's free time is spent with his wife and two kids whilst they are still kids. He can also be found in the kitchen indulging his passion of cooking along with his other passion of wine, a great complement to this wonderful relaxing pastime. To burn off the excesses of his cooking, Jamie gets out on his bike as his days of playing rugby are now sadly behind him.
More recently, Julian was part of the senior leadership team which took Future Plc from failing magazine publisher to FTSE 250 digital powerhouse, and he was CEO of award-winning innovation consultancy Made by Many. He's also Co-Founder and NED of an influencer content agency in Rome.
His specialisms include accelerating digitisation, defining and articulating disruptive strategies, and conceiving launching and scaling digital products.
Besides Russian and German, Julian also speaks French and Italian. He's obsessed with cycling, although he probably should have stuck with basketball. His ambitions to be a rock star got only as far as releasing one 7 inch single, but he will still insist on DJing on his own pop-up internet radio station.
A masterful problem solver with a passion for transforming organisational performance, Paul excels at creating significant impact through small, meaningful changes. He possesses an innate ability to ensure that changes are not only well managed, but also thoroughly embedded within the organisational culture.
Paul's ‘superpower' is their love for involving the right people in finding the most effective solutions, combined with agile methodologies to consistently deliver measurable value.
Paul has spent the last 20 years helping countless businesses, leadership teams, and organisations across various industries and locations to improve their performance and achieve sustainable growth. Most recently, they held the position of Director of Sales Transformation at a telecom company, known for its innovative practices and rapid growth.
Working closely with prominent companies like Virgin Media, Colt Telecoms, Ciena, and BP, Paul combines a distinctive blend of passion, proficiency, and practical executive experience, underpinned by a strong background in coaching, leadership advising, and facilitation. Consequently, they have a profound comprehension of both the business imperatives and the human aspects of organizations. Paul excels in scenarios where corporate goals meet human obstacles - where situations become chaotic, entangled, and highly complicated, yet pave the way for truly remarkable outcomes.
Job Titles:
- Partner, FRP Advisory Trading Limited
A lifetime of experience in dealing with businesses from one-man operations to multimillion corporates has given Barbara a sharp sense of unlocking business growth and well executed strategy.
Since joining Positive Momentum, Barbara has worked across multiple sectors supporting business leaders transform the growth potential in their organization. She has designed and delivered high impact leadership development programmes and facilitated board sessions focussed on strategic planning. She is regularly sought for high impact coaching and mentoring engagements. Her expertise in Sales Management brings credible interventions and solutions for her clients.
Barbara is skilled in bringing clarity to complex scenarios and this helps her clients get to the core of an issue.
Barbara especially enjoys facilitating large events and extends this to hosting high profile charity fund raising dinners to contribute to her charity work on the board of Breast Cancer Now. She's afraid of heights but managed to forget this with a couple of tandem sky dives to increase the impact of the fund raising.