Experience & Knowledge
About Us
BizSmart’s Core Advisors are all experienced business owners from a wide range of backgrounds.
Between them, they have helped hundreds of business owners to put in place the basics that have enabled them to grow their businesses in a sustainable way.
Granger Forson
I am an engineer at heart... always trying to solve fascinating problems.
My first job saw me solving a problem for Guinness moving from hand pour to gas dispense so they could standardise their product delivery anywhere in the world and create the Guinness beer tap.
For over 25+ years I have been working in small, medium and large businesses helping them develop their people through the use of continuous improvement systems, Lean, Six Sigma, Quality Management. I trained with Japanese Master engineers in late 90’s while working for Industry Forum and in recent years visited Japan to see exemplar Lean companies.
A significant amount of this time I spent in businesses in their operational areas making companies and their divisions significantly more profitable using 2 second lean. With these skills I moved into IT, developing a highly successful development process based on Scrum. I worked with finance, HR and Information security teams to develop more successful activities and processes. Throughout the last 25 years I have developed a philosophy ensuring 'Joy in the Workplace' via growing people. While as Operations Director in an SME manufacturing company I worked with BizSmart, developing a marketing strategy for profitable growth.
I saw in the BizSmart Flight Academy approach of scaling small business so many amazing parallels to my last 25+ years of experience, and decided to buy the BizSmart Gloucestershire franchise.
Elaine Coleman
Elaine has a wealth of experience in both the commercial and nonprofit sectors.
She is an experienced Product Manager with strong business and administration skills.
Her main passion is Human Growth and Development.
Kevin Brent
Founder and MD
Kevin is an experienced and entrepreneurial business practitioner with a focus on strategy, business development and building value for business owners.
Melanie Hawkett
Core Business Advisor
Melanie is a Level 5 SFEDI qualified Business Support Coach and has been working with SME's across many sectors for 10 years. Previously, Melanie held senior global roles leading multi-functional teams within the commercial and procurement field. Melanie is also an ILM trainer and is a specialist in facilitating leadership development.
Louise Blunt
Director
Louise is an experienced business and change management professional with a proven track record in delivering improved business performance in a variety of sectors. Skilled in all aspects of business management.
Caroline Strickley
Business Engagement Manager
Caroline is a motivated, enthusiastic and creative individual who has significant skills and sheer hard work to a range of management, organisational, administrative and communicative experience.
My ongoing life journey now continues with me setting up and running my own business practising what I preach, through helping other business owners to:
1) Scale up their businesses.
2) Grow their people.
3) Deliver excellence.