About The Ann Holman Company
ANN HOLMAN – CEO
Ann Holman has been providing internal social networking advice to organisations across the UK for the last 9 years and has gained an enviable reputation for delivering challenging, thought provoking and leading edge solutions that provide a very precise return on investment.
Ann is renowned for her highly intellectual, future thinking approach and works closely with a small number of exciting clients in a very practical way each year. She has many years experience enabling her to provide a unique insight into the key issues that business faces in a constantly changing business world of social leadership, social media and social networking Her thinking is considered as enlightening by her clients where she demonstrates quite clearly the business & employee cases for developing internal social networks.
Ann is a leading authority on social business centred on the subjects of social capital, social networking and leadership. She has advised companies and higher educational institutions around the UK on building business communities around brands by transforming their relationships with people both internally and externally from transactional to a more intimate, participative and trusting experience.
Ann spends her time researching the latest thinking on social and our application of it in a highly connected world, based on helping organisations anticipate the future rather than just adapt to it. Ann also delivers speaking engagements where she is renowned for her energetic and inspirational approach, and has built an exceptional reputation for not only designing thought provoking and inspirational sessions that have a lasting impression but also delivering in an engaging and humorous manner.
As well as advising a wide range of organisations on building communities around brands through internal social networks, Ann writes extensively on her blog, for media140 and several other publications. She is the author of “Hang On” and “Percolate,” eBooks about the future of business behaviour and is the founder of Ourthinklab Ltd, a franchise business that supports individuals building monetised communities around their areas of expertise. Ann holds an MA from Durham University, is a guest lecturer at several universities, a member of The Harvard Business Review Advisory Council. Ann’s philosophy is if curiosity killed the cat……so be it. We’d rather be knowledge freaks than a control freaks!
Her clients include; Rodda’s Creamery, University of Gloucester, Handle with Care Ltd, University of Exeter, Met Office, Venuemasters, Media 140, Unlocking Enterprise Potential, University of Essex, Event Exeter, Toucan Design and Bott Ltd.
DES SMITH – EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
Des Smith is a highly experienced General Manager who has successfully operated at Managing Director level with a range of businesses between £1 million to £30 million turnover over a 15 year period. The past 10 years have been devoted to business support advising and mentoring SM E’s. Roles have included Business Advisor, High Growth Mentor and two periods as a Non-Executive Director for Business Links.
Provided advice and mentoring to around 50 ‘high growth potential’ businesses over the period. Worked closely with Tamar Science Park and Exeter Innovation Centre to identify appropriate businesses where real growth potential existed. Delivered up to one day per month of intensive support and mentoring to each of these businesses to drive growth.
In June 2010, Des decided to concentrate on his private client portfolio. This currently includes businesses from pre- start to £25 million turnover. These businesses operate in a range of different sectors including Food & Drink, Marine, Medical, Renewable Energy and Creative Arts. In most cases he is providing Board level strategic input and mentoring to the Owners/Directors some of whom he has been working with for 4 – 5 years. Over this period, turnover and profit have more than doubled. Des has a C.Eng., M.I. Mech.E and a Master in Business Administration.
Des’ real skill lies in his ability to be able to see the ‘big picture’ and support companies in being able to identify the key areas of development and significant impact. His financial prowess and operational expertise allow businesses to put the right infrastructure in place for fundamental growth.
