Meet the team at Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub... Stratford-upon-Avon District Account Manager, Jim Clark.

Our fantastic team are what makes the Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub such a vital place for businesses in the region. Every day, they work hard to support our ambitious SMEs and help make their future plans and visions a reality.

We're shining a spotlight on our Account Management team to celebrate their stories and share the journeys that have brought each of them to where they are today.

We recently caught up with our Stratford-on-Avon District Account Manager, Jim, to find out more about his role here at the Growth Hub and what he enjoys most both at work and away from the office too!

Watch the video below or on YouTube!

 

What do you do at the Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub?

  • I am the Growth Hub’s Account Manager for the Stratford District. My role involves meeting with business owners and helping them to discuss and analyse the Growth Challenges that they believe are in front of them. Often, after discussion (diagnosis), the “treatment” is different to what they expect.

What are some of your specialisms in supporting businesses?

  • I would say, my specialisms are…
    • Exit Planning and MBO: I have lots of experience with Exit Planning and MBOs and happy to help clients understand the processes.
    • Sales & Marketing: Growing B2B businesses from £4m to £40m, as part of teams of Directors, including as owner MD.
    • Working to the dynamics of High Street Retail, managing the fast pace and constant changes of direction.
    • UK Manufacturing, UK Outsourcing, Global Logistics, Global Sourcing, General Management – dealing with the fast moving environments and the pains and strains of growing a business.

What's an interesting fact about yourself?

  • I believe that my greatest strength is my ability to relate to the day to day pressures of owning and growing a business. In particular, I have Board Room experience on Strategic Planning and the eventual goals for an owner, including EXIT Strategies.

What 3 things do you love about your role?

  • I love meeting clients and getting to understand their challenges. The variety of companies is awesome, there is a real buzz to getting to see such diverse businesses across the patch.
  • Stratford District is not just all about Hospitality, or Shakespeare, my work is mostly with the Industrial Estate businesses, many of whom are Market Leading in modern technologies!
  • I also really like being involved with so many of the support partners we work with - it's always so varied!

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

  • Work hard and play hard – put the effort in to try and be your best at what you do, but make sure you enjoy yourself along the way. No one can ever say I haven’t enjoyed myself, and by heck I have worked hard for a lot of years!

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learnt about the Coventry & Warwickshire Business community since joining the Growth Hub?

  • As a seasoned businessman, I am always amazed that I learn something every day. I did things “my way”, but over the last 3 years I have been exposed to so many clever people, if only we could go back and work with hindsight!

What could you comfortably give a 30 min presentation about, with no preparation?

  • ME! The story so far!