What makes Sprung Collective have a different voice? Experience which allows CEOs to explore their ideas.
It is an old but timeless saying that being a CEO is a lonely role, and understandably so as every organisation only has one peerless role and where all accountabilities will sit. Many believe that they can be CEOs, but very few understand the demands and pressures which sit with the position. So who do CEOs talk to? Who can they share ideas and thoughts with?
The top consultants are the natural confidantes to CEOs, and the good ones do make sure that they are there for their clients. It is one of the vital assets of any top professional – their relationships and knowledge.
Many consultants argue that their knowledge is their greatest asset. To a small degree, this is true but in a market which is changing and adapting as fast as today's is, no one has all the answers. Strength lies in access to knowledge plus the ability to use it to support.
These are unprecedented times, and the old-style rules no longer apply, and the traditional models are broken. The rate of the change facing many businesses is outpacing their ability to evolve so there is need to take difficult but innovative decisions, now.
It is not just business which is being challenged to change but consumers, local government, developers, cultural institutions, heritage attractions and stadia. Today’s leaders will need a new narrative, a critical friend and a safe pair of hands.
Sprung Collective, founded in 2021, possesses at its core a team which has sat at many board tables, learnt, experienced and listened to many of the challenges being faced today. At the heart of Sprung sits the founder James Greetham (former Director with Bartlett Mitchell, RA, and Sodexo), along with Julian Russell (former CEO of HQ Theatres). Between them, they possess over 26 year's director experience. They are supported by EP, who bring strategic insights from a vast range of markets. This combined knowledge creates quite a unique dynamic which few others can match.
This period of time is undoubtedly the most challenging period for business since the early 1990s. There is little margin for error and the need is to understand the core pillars and future aspirations of any business; the model, the customer, the offer and the team. It does take time to learn, which is the very reason why the average age of CEOs has increased by over 15 years in the last 15 years. The average age of a board director has increased even more. It is not just about the experience but knowledge and insight too.
Expectations of all senior players and companies are rising. Expertise will naturally be in demand for the simple reason that experts who can more grasp all the delicate ins and outs of difficult decisions will naturally advise better. For organisations to be able to possess easy access to those who quickly understand the challenges and can bring an objective perspective is invaluable.
Julian and James bring very contrasting knowledge sets to the table. James has seen first-hand how the foodservice sector has evolved and changed in the last twenty years. In the last decade, Julian has led HQ Theatres from being a collection of individual, council operated venues to a successful, commercially astute, regional theatre operator possessing one of the major voices and players in the sector and to a successful exit. Together they boast over 25 years at director level and both still possess a love for the sector, and for the people. They possess a hunger and ambition to build a business that adds value and makes a difference where it matters.
This often starts with being the trusted confidante to CEOs who want to fulfil their vision and agenda and need trusted support. This is where Sprung can stand apart.