We talk a lot about how we can help your business and the values behind what we do, so we decided that in this blog, we’d offer you the chance to get to know our team better!
Meet David Garman
What is your job role?
I’m the Founder and Chairman of The Oakwood Partnership. I’ve had an executive career for more than 30 years, primarily in food manufacturing and marketing, with my recent focus being on outsourced logistics and supply chain management. In both of these fields, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a CEO, overseeing companies like Allied Bakeries and TDG. My decades of experience in these industries have shaped my leadership style and contributed significantly to my expertise.
Tell us about yourself
With 35 years in executive management and 15 years as a non-executive director/business advisor, I’ve worked with and advised companies like TDG, Associated British Foods, United Biscuits, John Menzies, Speedy, Amberon, and Babble. My core strengths encompass advising businesses, leadership and coaching, growth strategy, performance improvement, and value realisation.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I’m keen on sport and have an active interest in golf, tennis, and football with the grandchildren!
Meet James Garman
What’s your job role?
I’m a growth strategy consultant. I love helping businesses thrive as they expand. Over the past 20 years, I’ve gained extensive experience across a range of fields, including business development, marketing, operations, supply chain, leadership, and strategy.
Throughout this journey, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with organisations like Allied Bakeries, CHEP (a part of Brambles), Nielsen, and Coeliac UK, infusing each partnership with enthusiasm and passion.
Tell us about yourself
I thrive on collaborating with business owners and management teams, offering expertise in growth strategy development and executional support for SMEs. My career has spanned operations and finance, with a primary focus on strategic and marketing-led business development roles in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and business services. My passion lies in empowering companies to achieve profitable business growth.
What is your most memorable case study?
Voltempo®, a developer of new technology for EVs.
What are some results gained by a client that you’re proud of?
We worked with Voltempo® to create a growth strategy to increase the penetration of the market.
Results included:
- Strategic clarity
- Prioritisation of growth markets
- Very strong value proposition with measurable benefits
- Compelling equity story
- Powerful messaging across all marketing communications
- Establishing relationships and securing meetings with Tier 1 EV charging operators
- Greater strength and depth within the senior management team
Tell us a little about your personal life!
I enjoy spending time with friends and family, and I’m an active sportsman! I’m particularly keen on tennis, football, road and mountain biking.
Meet Jaynie Smith
What is your job role?
I’m a Marketing Consultant supporting clients with integrated marketing communications which includes event management, website, social media, CRM and marketing campaigns. I also support clients with research such as competitor analysis and client & employee interviews.
Tell us about yourself
With 15 years of experience in marketing, my passion lies in advising businesses. My expertise includes gathering market and product insights, proposition development and messaging and creating memorable marketing collateral for SMEs.
What’s your most memorable case study?
My first client exhibition stand at the NEC, GLEE.
What are some results gained by a client that you’re proud of?
I worked with the founder of The Wholeleaf Co, a sustainable product company who previously appeared on Dragons Den.
Results included:
- Award winning entry. Winner of the ‘Most innovative product award’, GLEE, NEC.
- Connections and appointments made with target audience, Tier 1 retail companies and garden centres.
- Attractive free-standing POS with matching product packaging was achieved, strengthening the product messaging.
- Product video and photoshoots to support and enhance marketing literature.
- Events management: stand design and messaging, exhibition set up and attendance, awards submission, marketing merchandise, and sales collateral.
Read more about The Wholeleaf Co.
Tell us a little about your personal life
I’m a Mum of two boys who live for adrenaline and thrills! For Christmas, we surprised them with Merlin passes, and it’s led to months of road trips across the country to explore different theme parks and brave ridiculously fast roller coasters. Two of the scariest ones we conquered were Stealth at Thorpe Park, which launches you from 0 to 80 mph in just 1.8 seconds into a towering top hat element, and The Smiler at Alton Towers, boasting a world record-breaking 14 inversions. It’s all been completely worth it, seeing the sheer excitement on their faces and watching them step out of their comfort zones, often dragging me along for the ride!
As for my own interests, I’m a natural completer and love taking on projects. My hobbies include gardening, decluttering, and enjoying quality time entertaining friends.
Meet Benjamin Didier
What is your job role?
I’m the Finance Director of Oakwood and a portfolio of different clients. We support the finance department of small and medium sized businesses, and in some cases join the board as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). We provide a full suite of financial services for the client as their outsourced finance department.
Tell us about yourself.
I’ve worked in a range of business roles. I’m quite unusual in that I’ve worked in sales, marketing, finance, operations, and been a Managing Director of businesses as well as holding financial roles within organisations.
I understand pipeline management, operational planning, project coordination, motivating and inspiring teams, and the pressures that business owners and managers are under. I translate the numbers in a way that’s meaningful and helpful for individuals running a business.
What’s your most memorable case study?
For over a decade, we have partnered with a digital marketing company, guiding them through strategic decisions, personnel transitions, and expansion to larger premises.
We’ve supported them in refining target markets, product positioning, and financial analytics. Additionally, we conduct thorough analysis on investments, break-even points, profit margins, cashflow, and payback periods. Our services also extend to proposition development, lead generation, and efficient pipeline management, including quotation, onboarding, and invoicing.
What are some results gained by a client that you’re proud of?
Clients have done very well; I’ve been on the journey with clients who have grown from small businesses. This includes those that have been turning over a few hundred thousand to becoming multi-million-pound companies.
The relationships are really important, we tend to have long term relationships with our clients because it takes time to get to know each other and build that mutual confidence. We truly develop an understanding of what’s important to the business, how it ticks, where the strengths are, and where the gaps are. We’ve seen businesses grow; grow their revenue, grow their profitability, margins, grow their headcount, move to bigger offices, get funding, and more.
Tell us a little about your personal life
I have a young family, so my children keep me very busy! We like to get out to enjoy the countryside, bike rides as a family, all of those kinds of things. I like reading. I’m interested in business strategy, performance, as well as literature to unwind.
At Oakwood, we’ve brought a unique approach to supporting entrepreneurs and SMEs across a broad range of sectors. By combining three essential elements – advice, funding and support – at one source, we work collaboratively with business owners, directors, managers and their teams helping them to develop and execute their vision, goals and strategy.
Let’s discuss how we can help your business grow. Fill out the form on our website to book an appointment or let’s talk on 01789 867686.
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