INTRODUCING:
Dr Chris Owen
As a seasoned former CEO in the advanced manufacturing sector, I am dedicating my career to providing Board Advisory services and taking on plural Non-Executive Director (NED) roles. My extensive experience is rooted in working closely with Chairs, CEOs, Managing Directors, Owner-Managers, and Boards to craft and action strategic business plans. I have a proven track record in transforming manufacturing operations, aligning strategic organisational goals, and steering cultural transformation. I welcome the opportunity to join boards of small to medium-sized, privately-held, or private equity/venture capital-backed manufacturing firms that are pursuing strategic advancement and growth.
Board Advisory
I specialise in working closely with Chairs, CEOs, MDs, Owner/Managers and Boards of Manufacturing SMEs to achieve their business aspirations. I have a proven track record over many years of developing and executing effective growth strategies and providing coaching and mentoring to senior manufacturing leaders across a broad range of manufacturing businesses. This tailored support provides clarity, focus and organisational alignment and sets out actionable steps that deliver measurable operational and financial success. This is usually done on a part-time basis, over a number of months.
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Enhancing the competitive edge by understanding and leveraging the business's core capabilities, positioning products and services to maximise customer value, and honing the competitive positioning within the market.
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Gaining a comprehensive insight into the operating landscape, including an in-depth review of competitors, customers, suppliers, industry trends and dynamics, alongside macro trends, external influences, and potential risks and threats.
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Identifying and developing new avenues for growth through strategic exploration and selection, ensuring sustainable expansion and diversification of the business portfolio.
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Architecting and deploying strategic business plans to set a clear organisational direction, focus, and alignment, thereby achieving business objectives through structured business performance measurement & management
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Employing advanced Digital Strategy Execution Management (SEM) Software to meticulously measure and manage business performance across departments, teams, and individual roles, ensuring organisational alignment and delivery of operational and financial results. SEM allows leaders to have full end-to-end visibility and control of their business performance through single-safe-sources of data, consolidated KPI reporting and dashboards regardless of the number and type of applications running across the business. No more Excel sheets or PowerPoint decks, just real live data, reporting, status tracking and countermeasure actions.
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Aligning everyday business operations with strategic objectives, metrics and targets and managing cultural change to ensure the seamless delivery of the business strategy.
Non Executive Director (NED)
Open to NED appointments that resonate with my existing portfolio's strengths and core values. I have deep expertise working with Chairs, CEOs, MDs, Owner/Managers and Boards to develop and implement strategic business plans, with knowledge and experience of transforming manufacturing operations, strategic alignment of organisations and managing cultural change. I am committed to contributing strategic insights and guidance that complement and enhance the governance and growth trajectory of forward-thinking organisations.
Board Director/Former CEO/Executive Advisor
Developing & delivering strategic growth plans
Advanced manufacturing - Automotive/Aerospace/Industrial/Other
P&L Responsibility $150m+
International corporate experience
Manufacturing operations/production transformation
Adoption of industrial digital technology
Leading cultural change
Quality management
NPI/product design, development and launch
Coach/mentor/executive development
Portfolio Positions
Over fifteen Board Advisory appointments, working with many SME and mid-sized manufacturing businesses 2013 to present
Executive Advisor, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Industry Forum January 2020 to June 2020
Specialises in working with Chairs, CEOs, MDs Owner/Managers and Boards to develop and implement strategic business plans. Experience in clean tech, automotive, aerospace & defence, industrial, electrical and other manufacturing sectors and broad experience in many manufacturing processes including welding, forging, machining, pressing, moulding, assembly, bending/forming and others. Deep expertise in developing growth strategies and helping executive leadership teams successfully manage organisational and cultural change during implementation and delivery of strategies and business plans.
Made Smarter, HM Government Programme, driving Manufacturing SME adoption of Industrial Digital Technology 2022 to present
Represents the East Midlands Manufacturing sector on HM Government’s Made Smarter Commission comprising senior executives from Siemens UK, BAE Systems, GE Digital, ABB Limited, Renishaw, Schneider Electric, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover, Accenture, MakeUK, Airbus UK, HVM Catapult. Responsible for the implementation of Industrial Digital Technology in over 400 SME Manufacturers across the East Midlands region.
International Automotive Task Force (IATF 16949) Management System Standards Board 2017 to present
Represents the interests of the UK’s Automotive sector on the Board of the IATF comprising senior executives from BMW Group, Ford Motor Company, Geely Holding Group, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover Automotive, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Stellantis N.V., Renault Group, VW Group. Responsible for strategic decision making, operational and organisational governance and delivery of the certification scheme to over 90,000 automotive manufacturers globally.
Working with the Chairman, Board and the newly appointed CEO of this automotive manufacturing consultancy business to support the continued development of organisational capability and customer relationships.