Recommended expert

John Edwards

Co-Founder / Non-Executive Director

John Edwards
Grüningen, Switzerland

Experience

Mar 2024 - Nov 2025
1 year 9 months
Zürich, Switzerland

Co-Founder / Non-Executive Director

GRP Energy

  • Co-founded battery storage business targeting residential, commercial & industrial, and utility markets in Netherlands and UK
  • Developed UK and Netherlands market entry strategies based on competitive analysis and regulatory assessment
  • Led "Storage as a Service" business model development to complement core hardware distribution business line
  • Created comprehensive financial models and investment cases for capital raising initiatives
  • Provided board-level strategic guidance and governance oversight
Jan 2023 - Mar 2024
1 year 3 months
Zürich, Switzerland

Strategic Consultant

Greenlion GmbH

  • Independent strategic consulting practice specialising in telecommunications, infrastructure, and operational transformation. Portfolio approach combining direct client engagements and associate partnerships with established consulting firms (Cambridge Management Consulting, Prism Business Consulting)
  • UK Fibre M&A due diligence (2024, with Cambridge MC): strategic and financial analysis supporting PE fund investment decision in full-fibre broadband operator; market assessment, operational due diligence, and financial model validation
  • GRP Energy (2023-2024): start-up advisory support including strategy development, business model design, and market entry planning for battery storage business
  • Transport for Wales (2023, with Prism Consulting): expert review of infrastructure commercialisation business plan for fibre optic assets within £5B+ railway modernisation programme; strategic evaluation of telecommunications infrastructure monetisation opportunities
  • Jurassic Fibre (Jan-Sep 2023): conducted M&A feasibility analysis and due diligence for potential acquisition target; developed comprehensive disaster recovery planning and business continuity framework; led ESG and sustainability strategy development and implementation aligned with institutional investor requirements
May 2021 - Dec 2022
1 year 8 months
Exeter, United Kingdom

Managing Director

Jurassic Fibre

  • Built and scaled customer-facing operations for full-fibre broadband infrastructure rollout targeting rural and underserved UK markets
  • Established ground-zero operations function covering sales, marketing, installations, and customer service for PE-backed fibre infrastructure scale-up during rapid growth phase
  • Achieved 4x customer acquisition growth in 6 months through operational optimisation, process improvement, and sales effectiveness initiatives
  • Built data management function from scratch, introduced operational KPI dashboards, and developed regulatory and strategic partnerships capability
Jan 2017 - Apr 2021
4 years 4 months
London, United Kingdom
Hybrid

Partner

SGFE

  • Partner in strategic consulting firm specialising in SME business owners using a hybrid consulting and coaching delivery model and proprietary frameworks for growth acceleration
  • Addressed strategic blockers to growth in owner-managed businesses through structured diagnosis and practical implementation support
Jan 2015 - Dec 2017
3 years
London, United Kingdom

Investment Consultant

Armstrong Energy Limited

  • Led investment projects in renewable energy infrastructure covering strategic planning, business modelling, fundraising, board representation, and project development
  • Successfully raised £6.5m of HNWI financing for start-up infrastructure businesses in battery storage and waste-to-fuels processing technologies
  • Developed comprehensive investment cases including Capex/Opex projections, NPV/IRR analysis, sensitivity modelling, and risk assessment
  • Provided board representation and strategic guidance for portfolio companies
  • Conducted due diligence and transaction structuring for infrastructure investments
Jan 2010 - Dec 2014
5 years
Switzerland

CEO / COO

FIT Group

  • Led operational and financial turnaround of a $300m Brazilian forestry investment
  • Raised $50m+ fresh investment capital through structured negotiations with institutional investors across Switzerland and international markets
  • Led $60m balance sheet cleanup and legal reorganisation to stabilise financial position
  • Implemented cost reduction programme achieving $15m+ annual savings
  • Recruited and managed a new local management team and oversaw waste biomass processing facility and sawmill operations
Jan 2006 - Dec 2010
5 years
Sofia, Bulgaria

Chief Operating Officer

CableTel

  • Transformed Bulgaria's largest cable TV & broadband provider from negative EBITDA to over 30% operating margins within 12 months
  • Delivered 13% YoY revenue growth and 50% cash flow increase through improved commercial performance
  • Reduced Capex by 30% while maintaining network performance through disciplined investment prioritisation
  • Led €50m PIK financing fund-raise and secured board approval for €100m+ acquisitions across the Balkan region
  • Coordinated cross-border expansion in Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania, and Macedonia and managed regulators and municipal authorities
  • Led network expansion and upgrade decisions using least-cost analysis and infrastructure sharing strategies
Jan 2004 - Dec 2008
5 years
Zürich, Switzerland

Managing Partner

Last Mile Communications (LMC)

  • Established and led the European arm of a boutique consulting practice specialising in transaction support and management advisory for the telecommunications sector
  • Advised PE/infrastructure funds and strategic investors/operators on commercial due diligence, operational assessment, and multi-year financial planning across Central and Eastern Europe
  • Identified M&A targets, supported transaction processes, and conducted market entry feasibility studies
  • Provided embedded management support for portfolio companies transitioning to full operational roles
Jan 2003 - Dec 2004
2 years
London, United Kingdom

Commercial & Finance Director

NTL

  • Led commercial and financial functions for the London operation of the UK's largest cable TV and broadband provider
  • Secured board approval for a £30m network upgrade programme through detailed business case development
  • Led organisational restructuring to improve operational efficiency and reduce cost base
  • Delivered 13% YoY revenue uplift, 50% cash flow increase, and 30% Capex reduction through disciplined capital allocation
Jan 2001 - Dec 2002
2 years
Zürich, Switzerland

Director of Internet

Cablecom

  • Ran the Internet business unit of Switzerland's largest cable TV provider during a critical strategic pivot to broadband
  • Replaced a loss-making ISP portal-content model with a highly profitable broadband access strategy
  • Increased revenue from $40m to $63m and customer base from 60k to 135k in 12 months
  • Led a $6m ISP platform replacement and upgrade including technology selection and vendor evaluation
Jan 1996 - Dec 2001
6 years
Hook, United Kingdom

Various Director & Head of Roles

NTL

  • Strategy Director (1999-2001): Led corporate strategy development and market positioning; developed strategic initiatives for expansion; coordinated cross-functional strategic planning
  • Head of Product Marketing (1997-1999): Led product strategy and go-to-market planning for TV, telephony, and internet services; launched impulse pay-per-view, triple-play bundles, subscription-free internet access, distance-free telephony tariff; increased market penetration from mid-20% to over 40%
  • Head of Content & Programming (1996-1997): Developed content strategy for cable TV; negotiated supply terms with Sky, MTV, Turner, Discovery, Flextech; established programming acquisition framework and commercial relationships
Jan 1996 - Dec 1997
2 years
London, United Kingdom

Director of Programming

Saravision

  • Developed programming strategy and implementation plan for content acquisition at a start-up wireless cable operator in Saudi Arabia
  • Established and managed joint venture initiatives with major US programming providers
Jan 1995 - Dec 1996
2 years
Manchester, United Kingdom

Head of Business Development & Multimedia

Nynex UK

  • Led an EU-funded exemplar project for new broadband interactive services
  • Created the Northern Interconnect joint venture between four cable operators to develop an integrated regional network
Jan 1993 - Dec 1995
3 years
Manchester, United Kingdom

Operations Manager

Pactel UK

  • Led corporate team responsible for sales, marketing, customer service, IT, and training at a UK cable start-up
  • Managed commercial relationships with TV content suppliers and achieved the highest growth in customer penetration in the UK cable industry
Jan 1989 - Dec 1991
3 years
London, United Kingdom

New Issues Syndication & Eurobond Trading Manager

DKB International

  • Managed a secondary Euroyen trading book with $100m exposure at the UK securities trading arm of Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank
  • Oversaw numerous new issues underwritings and the primary trading book

Summary

C-level operator, strategist and advisor with 35+ years of leadership driving high-growth businesses through critical scaling phases, operational turnarounds, and market expansions across capital-intensive telecommunications and renewable energy sectors.

Core expertise: Taking challenger businesses from concept to operational reality by combining strategic insight with operational execution. Proven track record building organisational infrastructure that enables sustainable scaling - teams, governance, culture, processes, and systems - for businesses founded by technical or sales-driven entrepreneurs.

Key achievements include: 4x customer acquisition growth at Jurassic Fibre in 6 months; transforming Bulgaria's largest cable operator from negative EBITDA to 30%+ margins in 12 months; growing Cablecom from 60k to 135k customers and $40m to $63m revenue in 12 months; structuring €200m+ in infrastructure financing across career.

Skills

  • Strategic Leadership

  • Strategic Impact & Market Repositioning

  • Business Model Design & Proposition Development

  • Strategic Planning & Execution

  • Strategic M&a & Post-merger Integration

  • Corporate Development

  • Operational Excellence

  • Operational Scaling / Organisational Design / Governance

  • Turnaround Management (Multiple 30%+ Margin Improvements)

  • P&l Management & Financial Optimisation

  • Change Management & Organisational Transformation

  • Performance Management & Operational Metrics Design

  • Capital Discipline & Investment Optimisation

  • Financial & Operational Modelling (Operational Drivers, Npv, Irr, Scenario Analysis)

  • Fundraising & Financing Structuring (€200m+ Career Total)

  • Performance Metrics & Management Reporting

  • Commercial Due Diligence

  • Telecommunications: Fibre, Cable, Broadband, Satellite

  • Renewable Energy: Battery Storage, Waste-to-energy

  • Pe-backed Scale-ups & Challenger Operating Models

  • Emerging & Developed Markets

  • Regulatory & Stakeholder Management

Languages

English
Native
German
Intermediate

Education

Oct 1989 - Jun 1991

London Business School

MBA · Business Administration · London, United Kingdom

Oct 1982 - Jun 1985

University Of Cambridge

BA (Hons) · Law · Cambridge, United Kingdom

Need a freelancer? Find your match in seconds.
Try FRATCH GPT
More actions

Similar Freelancers

Discover other experts with similar qualifications and experience

Jason Smolek
Jason Smolek

Advisor

View Profile
Thomas Meyer
Thomas Meyer

Executive Consultant, Management Coach

View Profile
Sarah Gottwald
Sarah Gottwald

Blockchain, AI & Digital Transformation

View Profile
Benjamin Wilkening
Benjamin Wilkening

Advisory Board Member

View Profile
Christian Walter
Christian Walter

Founder and Managing Director

View Profile
Uwe Rembor
Uwe Rembor

Head of Challenge, Full-Throttle Driver, Revenue-Obsessed, Loving To Make IT Better

View Profile
Christoph De inhard
Christoph De inhard

Investor, Shareholder, Member of the Board of Directors

View Profile
Suvrajit Saha
Suvrajit Saha

Advisor Go-2-Market

View Profile
Lars Otto
Lars Otto

Founding Shareholder

View Profile
Heiko Hambrock
Heiko Hambrock

Senior Advisor and Strategic Project Manager

View Profile
Florian P. jaeger
Florian P. jaeger

Member of the Board of Advisors

View Profile
Holger Ulland
Holger Ulland

Interim CEO

View Profile
Sushil Pandey
Sushil Pandey

Independent Consultant (Founder and Managing Partner)

View Profile
Lars Behrend
Lars Behrend

Owner

View Profile
David Thiel
David Thiel

Digital Growth and Strategic Partnerships

View Profile
Lilli Sauer
Lilli Sauer

AI – Data & Quality Specialist

View Profile
Andreas Reichert
Andreas Reichert

Co-Founder CEO

View Profile
Antony Hamilton roczek
Antony Hamilton roczek

Co-Founder & Managing Director

View Profile
Bada Lehner
Bada Lehner

Senior Vice President Growth

View Profile
Simon Sommer
Simon Sommer

CEO and Co-Founder

View Profile
Andreas Freutsmiedl
Andreas Freutsmiedl

Chief Transformation Officer – Special Machinery, Systems and Services

View Profile
Dominik Hoffmann
Dominik Hoffmann

Interim Management and Consulting

View Profile
Thomas Pacal
Thomas Pacal

Change Manager / Sales Transformation

View Profile
Benjamin Mikuska
Benjamin Mikuska

Strategy Consultant

View Profile
Julia Petrich
Julia Petrich

CFO & Managing Director

View Profile
Jens Reichert
Jens Reichert

Finance Transformation Director

View Profile
Denny Münchow
Denny Münchow

Senior Expert Innovation, Strategy & AI

View Profile
Detlef Mangels
Detlef Mangels

Interim Management Consultant

View Profile
Lars Karbe
Lars Karbe

Tech-empowered Generalist and First-Time Specialist

View Profile
Martin Zielinski
Martin Zielinski

Managing Director

View Profile