Partnering with CEOs, Boards and Investors to deliver successful business transformations

PURPOSE

Unlocking High Performance in your Organisation

The most experienced investors, CEOs, and chairmen know that great business results come from high-performing organisations with all parts of the eco-system in great shape. Yet, relatively few business leaders know how to achieve this comprehensively. Without a strong organisation, investments will miss their target returns.

I partner with entrepreneurial businesses ready to unlock their organisation potential to deliver outstanding financial performance—whether through a turnaround plan, growth strategy, M&A, IPO, or another transformation.

Erik Schmidt, Founder and Managing Director

CASE STUDY

At Pandora*, the world's largest jewellery Company, a relentless focus on building a world class organisation delivered “the most successful turnaround in Danish corporate history” and these metrics between 2018 and 2023:

Annual revenue growth from -8% to +12%
Earnings per Share doubled
Share price increase from 200 DKK to 1000 DKK+
Employee advocacy from below average to top decile; the FT has ranked Pandora one of the best companies to work for in Europe and #1 in Denmark.
TIME has ranked Pandora among the world’s 50 most sustainable companies and #1 in Denmark.
13th most valuable luxury company in the world (Yahoo)
91st most valuable brand in the world (Interbrand)

*Pandora A/S is quoted on the Copenhagen NASDAQ, has revenue of €4bn, market cap of €10bn and c.34,000 employees in 40 countries

HOW WILL WE WORK TOGETHER

My approach is data-driven, strategic and results-focused.

One of my key strengths is my collaborative approach, pulling in talent from within the company and beyond to build a strong team capable of delivering on the outcomes. I believe in working closely with my clients speaking truth to power, keeping them informed at every stage of the project and ensuring that their feedback drives the final deliverables. This collaborative process not only ensures that the end result meets your needs but also fosters a strong and long-term working relationship built on trust and mutual respect.

My client engagements are taken seriously and as a result I only commit to a maximum of 2 substantive projects at a time. This reflects my sense of accountability for our shared outcomes and makes sure you receive full attention from me.

Keeping in touch with my clients is a seamless and essential part of how I work. I make myself available to discuss your needs, provide updates, and address any questions or concerns you may have. Communication is key, and I strive to be as responsive and accessible as possible, ensuring that you feel supported and informed throughout our collaboration.

Here's what working with me looks like...

Understanding
Your Goals

We define your commercial objectives.

Assessing Your Organisation

A structured, data-driven review of your current situation.

BuILDING A PLAN

Developing a strategy tailored to your leadership team and business context.

EXECUTING CHANGE

Implementing solutions that drive sustainable performance improvements.

Client Testimonials

Over the years, I have had the privilege to work with many CEOs and Chairmen who have generously shared their experiences and feedback about my partnership. Some of their testimonials are shown here - for full versions, please contact me. Their testimonials reflect their trust and satisfaction with my work, and I am grateful for their kind words and support.

“He was a sound adviser to me as Chairman and to the Board”

“Erik is undoubtedly one of the top global HR professionals”

“He was my closest ally in the turnaround journey”

"Erik played a mission critical role and our success would not have been possible without his enterprise leadership"

“He was my sounding board and coach as we overhauled the entire leadership of the company”

"Erik is exceptional..."

"He helped drive business performance from median to top quartile, quadruple the share price and build trust with investors"

"Erik is a strong strategic thinker and an amazing change leader"

FOCUS AREAS

What It Takes to Build a High-Performing Organisation

So, what does it take to get your organisation in great shape to deliver sustainable results…? As with many things, it starts at the top with the Chair, Board, CEO, ELT, Top 100. What is the quality of the talent? What leadership culture do they promote? What gets measured, and how do you reward success? What do you communicate about? Do your people want to be with you…and many more.

Transforming your organisation takes courage, integrity and lots of honest conversation. There will be tough decisions to make, bold new directions to take and as in all walks of life, those who rise to the challenge and those who don't. The results down the line will be remarkable for those who stay the course. Having a partner who’s been where you are, and knows many of the short-cuts, and can introduce you to key people along the way, will boost your confidence and your chances of success.

ABOUT

Who Am I and How Did I Get Here?

I am an experienced career professional with a background in international business transformations and a strong entrepreneurial streak. My journey began with a top education in Business where I earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Edinburgh. Over the years, I have accumulated a wealth of experiences through various global leadership roles across multiple sectors, working with esteemed organizations such as Diageo, LEGO, GE, HSBC and latterly Pandora.

My brand is marked by a commitment to excellence and a passion for innovation. I have consistently demonstrated my ability to deliver high-quality results, whether it's through leading global organisation development, managing complex projects, or building and leading international teams to success.

Beyond Business

In addition to my professional achievements, I have been married for over 30 years and we have 3 grown-up children. We live on a small organic farm in Buckinghamshire, UK with bees, chickens and a dog. Together we travel widely both locally in our Defender 90 as well as on international trips, we enjoy healthy home-produced food and getting out on the Highland waters in our family RIB.