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Stacked timber in a merchant’s yard at dusk

Experienced leadership. Practical support.

Lead. Improve. Change.

Helping businesses move forward.

I work with owners, boards and senior leaders who need experienced leadership, better performance or support through significant change. I bring practical commercial and operational experience, honest challenge and a coaching approach that strengthens the team around you.

Experience at a glance

years’ experience
30+
divisional turnover
£300m
branches
75
colleagues
1,100
  • Merchanting
  • Building products
  • Specialist distribution
  • Complex multi-site businesses

How I help

The right support for the challenge ahead.

I can step in and take direct accountability, work alongside your existing team, or advise the leaders responsible for delivery.

01

Lead

Experienced leadership when your business needs direction, continuity and clear accountability.

  • Interim CEO, MD and COO leadership
  • Fractional leadership alongside your team
  • Senior leadership during transition
02

Improve

Practical support to help capable businesses and leadership teams perform better.

  • Commercial and operational performance
  • Branch-network and divisional improvement
  • Leadership coaching and advisory
03

Change

Work alongside your team to turn necessary change into sustained action.

  • Acquisition and integration
  • Restructuring and operating-model change
  • Strategy implementation

When to call

When you know something needs to change.

  • Branches or divisions are underperforming
  • Margin and profit are under pressure
  • Strategy is clear, but isn’t turning into action
  • An acquisition or restructure needs to work in practice
  • Central control is weakening local effectiveness
  • Your leadership team needs support, challenge or additional capacity

Ben Giddings · Founder

A practical operator. A straightforward approach.

Ben Giddings, Founder of Giddings Advisory

My experience is rooted in merchanting, building products and specialist distribution, with more than 30 years spent leading complex, multi-site operations. Most recently, I held full P&L responsibility for a £300m division, comprising 75 branches and 1,100 colleagues.

I have led through acquisition and change from the acquired and acquiring sides, and as the Managing Director responsible for the combined operation.

years’ experience
30+years’ experience
divisional turnover
£300mdivisional turnover
branches
75branches
colleagues
1,100colleagues

How I work

Support and honest challenge. With a clear focus on results.

I start by understanding the business, the people and what is getting in the way. Together, we establish clear priorities and who owns delivery. I work alongside you through implementation. Whether I’m taking interim accountability or advising your leaders, the aim is practical progress and a stronger, more capable team.

Testimonials

What people say

“He brings significant sales and operational experience to a wide variety of situations and particularly excels during periods of change.”
Ian Northen, CEO
“I have always been impressed by his commercial judgement, strategic thinking and ability to lead people while maintaining a strong focus on results.”
Steve Boyer, Chairman, Marsh Industries Limited
“Ben’s supportive and coaching-led management style ... fostered strong teamwork and consistently improving results.”
Richard Gray, Former CEO, Aer Rianta International Middle East W.L.L.

Get in touch

Let’s talk about what your business needs.

A straightforward conversation about the challenge you’re facing and where I might be able to help.

Telephone
07809 836456
Location
Ipswich, Suffolk