Ian Sheppard

WORK EXPERIENCE FOUNDER & DIRECTOR metrix business consulting | 2018 to present Founder & Director at metrix business consulting, a Consulting, Executive Coaching, and Mentoring practice working globally with SMEs from any sector. Assignments have included: IAN SHEPPARD ABOUT MYSELF Experienced Operations consultant, Executive Coach and entrepreneur, having worked in various rôles across education, optometry/retail optics, and the Third Sector in the UK and internationally. Now looking to further increase my involvement with development/missiondriven organisations redesigning the entire Finance function for an international NGO, including writing policies, establishing procedures and systems, overseeing the transfer of legacy data into a new online accounting system, and advising on the appointment of a new accountant/virtual CFO finance and operations consultancy for a café/learning centre in Rwanda, including support on staffing challenges and the appointment of a new general manager, setting up and training on social media marketing, setting up and training on a restaurant management system and an online accounting system, liaising with bank and tax authorities, kitchen and front-of-house workflows and so on Entrepreneurial Mentor for three agri-tech business owners from Indonesia, on an international programme run by the Royal Academy of Engineering. This involved providing business support, advice and encouragement for postgrads with engineering-based startups, initially in person in a week-long conference, and thereafter remotely via WhatsApp/Zoom successfully completion of a VAT renegotiation with HMRC on behalf of a client, whose business was entitled to claim partial exemption, but was required to present a case justifying their proposed non-VATable proportion. I helped build the case using a range of business data, and communicated with HMRC in the role of agent while the proposal was considered writing and editing various Annual Reports, White Papers and other organisational documentation (largely in the Third Sector) systems development consulting for a hospitality SME in Morocco, principally focused on competitor analysis and market positioning Executive Coaching for various clients, including a Senior Manager/published author in the International Development space FOUNDER & SENIOR PARTNER lookahead Consulting LLP | 2006 to 2019 Founder and Senior Partner at lookahead Consulting, a Consulting practice working exclusively with businesses in the UK retail optics sector. Assignments included: CORE COMPETENCIES Knowledgeable and proficient in: - Finance systems and policy - Business Development Consulting - Entrepreneurial Mentoring - Executive Coaching - Building & Managing Teams - Teaching & Learning - Startups - Squarespace web development - Xero accounting software (Certified Advisor) CONTACT INFORMATION Mobile: -- linkedin.com/in/iansheppard Tanglewood 10, St Anne's Close NEWBRIDGE Caerphilly NP11 4HE financial systems reviews, including data management and online accounting, for both professional individuals and clinical businesses. This often involved systemising the bookkeeping and accounting and liaising with accountants, as well as preparing spreadsheets to generate management information optometric product and market analysis for University College London. This involved assessing a tech innovation intended for the optometry sector, writing a Report on its suitability and suggesting improvements, and using my extensive network to arrange initial meetings with potential investors and customers design and implementation of training programmes (sales, clinical, management etc.,) for various national and small businesses. This ranged from bespoke programmes for independent practices, to developing and delivering elements of national training programmes for an international franchise providing Coaching and Mentoring for staff in clinical businesses. This included 'new starters', pre-registration clinicians, new Practice Managers, and professional staff 360⁰ troubleshooting, systems and processes reviews, and strategy/development consultancy for businesses with turnovers up to £5m+. Assignments included addressing HR issues within a group of practices, developing marketing plans, supporting Directors with tactical and strategic business planning, advising/implementing partnership development strategies, and advising on pricing policies startup support, including Coaching and consultancy, for franchisees, directors, individuals and SMEs. This included activities such as preparing budgets, business planning, policy writing, advice on NHS and other compliance, and even assistance with setting up a new practice abroad FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR Wilton i Ltd | 2010 to 2013 Founder & Managing Director at Wilton i, a community optometry practice near Salisbury, Wiltshire. As a specialist practice, we delivered bespoke, custom-made frames and sunglasses; pædiatric eyecare from 6 months of age; and cutting-edge clinical instrumentation and services. As MD, my responsibilities included IAN SHEPPARD bookkeeping and accounting, using a combination of Excel for management information and Xero for bookkeeping, and working closely with the accountant from the pre-revenue phase onward VAT management, including direct negotiation with HMRC regarding partial exemption Company Secretarial, clinical, Data Protection and other compliance work marketing, including website design and maintenance, advertising within sector-specific regulations, and patient relationship management networking and building partnerships, ie building an effective professional network of potential clients and partners managing a team of four staff, including my Executive PA and professional staff, which involved recruitment and retention, performance and remuneration reviews, disciplinary and so on dealing with agencies to recruit locum professional staff running clinics, ie all patient-facing and other day-to-day Operations work such as stock management, outsourced manufacturing and supply, device compliance testing etc., designing, implementing and monitoring systems and processes for the smooth running of the business and its Operations, such as order processing, patient relationship management, marketing, the collection of management information etc., LOCUM OPHTHALMIC DISPENSING CONSULTANT Ian Sheppard | 2003 to 2019 Self-employed locum ophthalmic dispensing consultant, working in patient-facing clinical settings across the UK such as hospitals and optical practices. My work included: consulting, assisting and treating patients supplying, fitting, adjusting and repairing registered medical appliances providing business support to managers, Directors and Founders in various organisations, from sole traders and small groups to international franchise operations business development consultancies (marketing plans, strategic partnership development, pricing reviews etc.,) design and delivery of training (New Staff Induction, Introduction to Optics, and clinical training) Coaching/Mentoring for colleagues at all levels short- to medium-term Acting Manager and Manager rôles VARIOUS RÔLES Primary Education Sector | 1997 to 2003 Several positions in both the State and Independent sectors, including Class teacher, Head of SEN, Teacher Governor, Deputy Head of Music, and Acting Deputy Head at schools near Salisbury, Wiltshire EDUCATION BA (HONS) QTS (FIRST CLASS) University of Hull | 1994 to 1997 With Honours in the First Class & Qualified Teacher Status 4 A-Levels (1992) | 1 AS Level (1991) | 10 GCSEs (1990) PERSONAL PROFILE I am a keen musician, and I play the piano, the guitar, and sing. I also write songs and have been in many bands. I'm a huge F1 fan, and I also follow cricket and boxing. I have travelled widely and have a particular love for France and India. I enjoy languages, and am currently learning French and Spanish. I enjoy motorcycling, and exploring abandoned buildings in new places with my partner and two daughters.