Business Development | Operations | Strategic Growth
Independent business consultant supporting sustainable growth and transformation
Helping businesses and organisations transform performance and achieve sustainable growth. I bring 25+ years of senior leadership experience in business development, sales, and operational transformation – most recently as Managing Director transforming a marine services business to profitability. Now working independently across a wider range of sectors including maritime, heritage and arts organisations, nature-based enterprises, and skills initiatives. I’m drawn to purpose-led organisations that want to grow intelligently while maintaining what makes them distinctive.
I’m Mandy Boughton, an independent business consultant based in Hampshire.
I studied Yacht Manufacturing & Surveying at Solent University – a practical foundation that shaped my career across sales, business development, and operations leadership in the maritime industry. That local grounding matters. I understand the business landscape here, the opportunities in our region, and how organisations across Hampshire and the Solent operate.
As current President of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, I’m actively involved in shaping business growth and regional skills development through initiatives like the Local Skills Improvement Plan – keeping me closely connected to the challenges and opportunities local businesses face.
Whether you need to redesign processes, unlock new revenue opportunities, lead transformation projects, or navigate pivotal change, I bring senior leadership expertise with deep regional knowledge and a practical, solutions-focused approach.
About
The best businesses aren’t just profitable – they’re places where craft, purpose, and people matter. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with specialist organisations that care deeply about what they do, from luxury yacht builders to safety equipment manufacturers to heritage projects and skills initiatives.
I’m drawn to purpose-led organisations that want to grow intelligently – where the challenge isn’t just making the numbers work, but doing it while staying true to what makes the organisation distinctive. That’s where I thrive.
How I Work
I work on a day rate or project basis, which means you get senior-level strategic thinking and hands-on delivery exactly when you need it. For some clients, that’s leading a specific transformation or business development project. For others, it’s ongoing operational support during a growth phase or period of change. I work independently or bring in trusted specialist partners when projects require additional expertise.
What I bring
I’ve spent my career transforming sales, aftersales, and operations in complex, specialist environments – combining strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
Examples of impact:
Secured a £1.2m contract with the RNLI by developing an innovative solution that saved the charity £1m in servicing costs – demonstrating creative problem-solving that transforms client relationships.
Led enterprise-wide ERP implementation and process architecture redesign, transforming operational efficiency from first mapping through to successful rollout.
Turned around underperforming businesses through strategic partnerships, process redesign, and cultural change – addressing root causes and delivering sustainable improvement.
Built and led high-performing teams from 6 to 35 people across sales, aftersales, and operations, consistently delivering growth while maintaining culture and quality standards.
Board Experience
Following five years as Managing Director in my previous role, I’m now in my second term on the Board of Directors at Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, where I also serve as President representing 600+ member businesses across Hampshire and the Solent.
This experience has given me valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities facing organisations across our region – from heritage ventures and skills initiatives to maritime businesses and social enterprises. It’s broadened my perspective beyond operational leadership into strategic governance and regional economic development.
How I help
Leading specific projects without long-term commitment
Sometimes you need senior-level expertise to lead a critical project but not a permanent hire. Whether it’s a department restructure, merger integration, ERP implementation, new service launch, or business development initiative, I can come in at the level required to drive the project forward effectively.
I work with your team to understand the objectives, design the approach, lead the implementation, and ensure sustainable handover. You get the benefit of experienced leadership without the overhead.
Navigating change and strategic transitions
Change creates operational complexity that’s often underestimated. Whether it’s a merger, expansion, or leadership transition, I help you think through the practical implications before you’re in the middle of them.
This means working through what needs to change operationally, how to maintain service quality and customer relationships during transition, how to bring teams along with you, and what success actually looks like on the ground. Strategic decisions need operational translation – that’s where I come in.
Current work
I’m currently working with Hampshire Chamber of Commerce who are the regions Employer Representative Body (ERB) on the Government-funded Local Skills Improvement Plan for 2026-2028, supporting business partners as they work with specific business sectors, education providers, and stakeholders across Hampshire and the Solent. The LSIP is designed to identify and address regional skills challenges and create pathways that connect talent with opportunity. This work keeps me closely connected to the evolving needs of businesses across diverse sectors in our region.
Contact me
Get in touch.
If you’d like to discuss a project or explore how I might help, I’d be pleased to hear from you.
Saltwood Partners
Mandy Boughton
