I roll up my sleeves and work with leadership teams to deliver results when something critical needs to get done. Former Aldi Director who gets teams aligned, removes obstacles, and drives measurable outcomes fast.
You don't need to know what, or where, the problem is - let me find and fix it for you.
My focus is always on measurable outcomes. Here's what execution looks like.
Designed and launched Aldi's Click & Collect during COVID crisis. Build & led cross-functional teams of amazing people, cut through red tape, and delivered a market-leading service at unprecedented speed.
Transformed operational processes saving £9M annually. Led a fantastic multi-disciplinary team to improve technology and redesign workflows, empowering them to iteratively deliver improvements to the live service.
Interim COO - Business Turnaround. Analysed 5 years of accounts, reduced HMRC debt by 90%, and implemented sustainable financial controls.
Created comprehensive omnichannel strategy for Aldi UK & Ireland. Full market analysis, financial modelling, and implementation planning approved at board level.
Created financial measurement framework to accurately track online vs offline performance and cross-channel impact. Solved the "where's my money going?" problem that every multi-channel business faces.
Coordinated a programme of projects across 4 websites, 4 customer apps, plus internal systems simultaneously - all while supporting £500M revenue across FMCG touchpoints. When you need multiple projects delivered on time, on budget, without failures.
Real feedback from business leaders who've experienced transformation firsthand.
I take personal ownership of business transformations, interim leadership, stalled programmes and crisis situations.
My approach is to listen and understand your challenges from all perspectives, diagnose root causes, build consensus around practical next steps, and execute alongside your team until results are delivered.
Your digital transformation, system implementation, or major business change programme is stuck. Teams are frustrated, deadlines are slipping, and you're burning money with no results.
Find out what's really stopping progress, establish context & accountability, remove barriers preventing teams from succeeding, and personally own the outcome until it's delivered.
You need experienced senior leadership immediately. Whether covering a departure, leading a critical project, maintaining performance during transition, or building capability before permanent hire.
Step in with full accountability, assess what's needed, implement appropriate changes, develop your team and hand over to permanent leadership or stay as needed. I work alongside your existing team to build capability.
Your business is in immediate danger. Financial crisis, operational breakdown, or you're facing closure. When everything's on fire, I step in and stabilise the situation.
Take immediate operational control, analyse cash flow and finances, negotiate with creditors, fix critical processes, realign teams, and get you back to stability. I work alongside your existing team - not as a replacement, but as the person accountable for results.
These situations require different expertise. I'll recommend specialists who can help you properly:
I'm Dan Smith. Former Director at Aldi UK & Ireland, where I led 150+ person teams and delivered transformational results. Now I help businesses bridge the gap between strategy and execution - whether you're growing rapidly or need to get back on track.
Many consultants excel at strategy and technical delivery. My strength is bridging the gap - taking those capabilities and making sure they translate into real business results. I've run the operations, owned P&Ls, managed crises, built & led teams and delivered results when everything was on the line. I know what it's like to be accountable for outcomes, not just recommendations.
I take ownership of critical problems for UK businesses of any size. Whether you need someone to fix a broken transformation, optimise operations, lead complex programmes, step in as interim leadership, or handle a crisis, my focus is on getting you measurable results, fast.
My approach is simple: Step in, understand the real problems, get teams aligned, build practical solutions, and deliver results you can measure. You don't need to know what the problem is - I work with your existing teams to find them and fix them. No corporate buzzwords. No endless meetings. Just execution and outcomes.
You get someone who takes full ownership until results are delivered.
Your team gets the support they need to deliver transformational results.
Together, we'll cut through obstacles and drive measurable outcomes.
Quick answers to questions executives typically ask before engaging
I can typically start within 1-2 weeks and I'm flexible on duration - from 3-month focused projects to 18-month transformations. Whether covering a planned absence or leading a major change programme, we'll structure the engagement to deliver your outcomes.
I match your team's working patterns. If your teams are in the office five days, that's where I'll be. If they work remotely with one day in-person, I'll do the same. Leadership means being where your teams are - whether that's fully on-site, hybrid, or remote.
Interim if you need someone to own operations, lead teams, and maintain momentum. Consultant if you have a specific problem to solve or transformation to deliver. I do both, and we'll discuss what fits best when we talk.
Yes. I'm experienced with major frameworks - Agile, Lean, Six Sigma, PRINCE2, and others. I'll work within your existing approaches while bringing the rigour of corporate experience. My focus is always on outcomes - I'll use the right amount of process to enable progress without letting methodology become the work itself.
Trusted by leading organisations
Book a Free 30-minute Call. A quick, focused discussion about your challenges or needs. I'll assess your situation, tell you honestly if I can help, and outline practical next steps.
No sales pitch - just straight talk about what needs fixing and how to fix it.