Over the last 25 years I have loved acting as adviser to many different scaling companies, built my own scale-up business in finnCap (now Cavendish Financial), and helped get the ScaleUp Institute off the ground in 2015, with funding and ideas to champion the fast growth ecosystem. It is a job that I have loved, and I never ever get bored of meeting entrepreneurs who are a breed on their own - giving so much to their businesses and to their communities. They are the risk-takers. The value-makers. The job-creators.
I really believe entrepreneurship, and fast growth companies are the absolute key to unlocking UK growth and productivity while making the UK and the corporate world much more inclusive. This is my passion. We need to start scaling more businesses. We should be the best in the world at this.
So, I am really excited to be involved with Excelerator Partners, as their Strategic Adviser - it’s such a game-changing company that launches today.
Excelerator Partners are flexibly solving the problem of talent, network and expertise on a scale-ups growth journey. From fractional Csuite and Exco roles (so you can have the skillset you need at the time you need it, where the flexible structure allows you to keep costs to a minimum), to NEDs that have the right skillset with a real focus on diversity of thought and a broad spectrum of people (not just the few that tend to move around head-hunter’s desks).
By solving scale-ups problems we are doing our bit for UK growth. I can’t wait to be working with the amazing Suzy Rowley and Cate Poulson on this exciting new project.
Do get in touch if you would like to assess your value creation map, or would like to discuss ideas around NEDs, Chairs (particularly a properly diverse group of candidates), or CFOs, CMO's, CTO's, COO's, CPO's and Head of Sales, particularly on a fractional basis. We have an amazing and highly curated network of experts waiting to help you scale.
Or, if you feel you could add incredible value to a scale-up business and would like to talk about being part of our curated network, please do get in touch too. First time NEDs also very welcome - we are looking at various programmes to get you board ready from a practical 'doing the job' point of view. We are building a diverse community that is needed in today’s boardroom and fuel scaling success.
We are Excelerator Partners. Helping businesses to scale, faster.
About the author:
Sam Smith, Strategic Adviser
Entrepreneur Sam is the founder and former CEO of finnCap Group Plc, a leading business and financial advisory firm for high growth scaling businesses that she and her team grew to over £50m annual revenue. Sam sits on some of the UK’s most exciting scaling business Boards, is Patron to The Entrepreneurs Network, a leading advocate for the power of Board diversity, and part of EY’s Entrepreneur of the Year judging panel.
