ALEX THOMPSON
Farnham Royal,Buckinghamshire
Summary
Business leader with 30 years of experience in both listed companies and start-ups across the UK, Europe, Asia, and the US. Achieved $24.8M in aggregated profit growth by transforming commercial strategies, leading acquisitions, and developing new business propositions. Established profitable global partnerships with major clients including Amex, HSBC, Amazon, and Microsoft. Expert in creating digital strategies that integrate technology into core business operations, leveraging data insights for improved decision-making.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work history
Founding partner
The Listening Co.
London, London
04.2025 - Current
- Created company focused on improving B2B relationships for service providers.
- Utilised independent interviews to pinpoint operational and strategic enhancements.
- Acquired clients from various sectors, expanding revenue channels.
Interim Head of International Growth
Ink Global Travel Media
London
01.2023 - 12.2023
- Created coherent Ink proposition, working with global management team to establish one face for business.
- Changed operational culture from siloed working structure to consolidated product offering.
- Achieved >$5M of new business in 12 months; attracted investment from Amex, HSBC and Johnson & Johnson and their agencies.
- Gained preferred supplier status with world's largest global media buyers (WPP, Omnicom, Dentsu, Publicis, Interpublic), defining sales and business plan, and agreeing compliant business terms.
- Identified and formalised partnerships for Ink within Stagwell Group; embedded Ink's services within group structure and formulated partnerships to improve offering in data and retail media.
Interim UK Business Development Director
SOUTHWORKS
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Company Overview: Makes Everything Right️ for clients in outsourced Global Systems Integration; 200 staff, eight countries.
- Directed client and partner growth strategy in UK and Europe.
- Secured major opportunities with Microsoft and Amazon; expanded broadcaster business for Amazon via Olympics Mobile broadcast product for AWS with Discovery Eurosport in partnership with Telecom Italia.
- Grew client usage of Microsoft Stream stack, migrating Siemens global corporate video library from Kaltura to Azure.
- Won new revenue of >$2M; forged new relationships with V-Nova and ITAL Gas Storage (IGS).
- Makes Everything Right️ for clients in outsourced Global Systems Integration; 200 staff, eight countries.
- Responded effectively to client inquiries, fostering strong relationships.
Interim COO
Capricorn Capital Partners
01.2020 - 12.2020
- Actioned successful PE exit from tech investment; merged nonperforming Dojono and Quiddi Hub and shifted to finance community database proposition, Fablious, funded by user subscription and partner referral fees.
Business Development Director
7TH MINUTE
London
05.2016 - 11.2019
- Company Overview: Utilised key moments in linear TV content to optimise bid strategy in online search advertising; 20 staff.
- Led strategy that won business and created partnerships with leading media agency groups and advertisers, taking technology from pre-revenue stage to market fit.
- Gained access to 65% of UK market for bought-online media activity; negotiated MSAs to supply technology to Omnicom and WPP client base, including VW Group, Compare the Market, Vodafone, British Airways and Wagamama.
- Partnered with DAZN to create new subscriber acquisition plan; won Global Technology Agency of Record agreement for DAZN OTT sports rights distributor worth $1.5M annual revenue.
- Signed lucrative annual agreement with Samsung and Publicis Group; negotiated favourable contract structure that drove quality of delivery for client and $500K annual revenue for Mporium.
- Won Drum Digital Award with the7Stars for use of technology with Iceland Foods.
- Utilised key moments in linear TV content to optimise bid strategy in online search advertising; 20 staff.
Global CEO of Aviator
KINETIC / WPP
New York
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Company Overview: World's leading agency in planning and buying Outdoor Media; 880 staff, 24 countries and $130M annual revenues.
- Promoted to lead travel and aviation media business; grew P&L, created stronger digital product and continued to manage $90M Global Partnership with GroupM.
- Pioneered digital strategy that grew profit from $8M to $11M in one year; embedded Aviator as core element of Kinetic's global offering.
- Designed market-leading data tool, APEX (OAG / ACI data sets), providing planners with quantifiable insight to rank media opportunities across price, relevance and impacts.
- Generated £1.2M YOY revenue growth from HSBC and Accenture; grew PBT margin from 27% to 33%.
- World's leading agency in planning and buying Outdoor Media; 880 staff, 24 countries and $130M annual revenues.
Global Head of Business Development
KINETIC / WPP
New York
01.2010 - 12.2014
- Company Overview: World's leading agency in planning and buying Outdoor Media; 880 staff, 24 countries and $130M annual revenues.
- Promoted to scale Kinetic's global proposition across 24 markets, managing team of 20.
- Redefined global approach and management focus on Business Development; formulated aligned global offering, with aggregated negotiating power delivering top service and pricing across all markets.
- Boosted revenues from WPP network by 50%, equating to 75% of Kinetic's total revenue; transformed relationships with key agencies, driving reputation and visibility among C-level leadership and global clients.
- Fostered new account growth ($240M billings, $14M revenue, $9M profit), increasing global profit by 21%; secured Swatch China, Coca-Cola China, Tesco, Vodafone, Allianz and Star Alliance.
- World's leading agency in planning and buying Outdoor Media; 880 staff, 24 countries and $130M annual revenues.
CEO, Asia Pacific
KINETIC / WPP
Singapore
01.2006 - 12.2009
- Company Overview: World's leading agency in planning and buying Outdoor Media; 880 staff, 24 countries and $130M annual revenues.
- Posted from London to turnaround commercial performance of region, improve operational quality of markets, fix relationship with GroupM and expand into China and India; led team of 500.
- Grew annual profit from $800K to $5.1M and billings from $36M to $91M; closed loss-making Australian business and restructured leadership of existing Southeast Asian markets.
- Launched Kinetic in China and India via JV, growing businesses to >65% of APAC profits in two years; achieved instant market penetration through WPP partnership, establishing 12 offices across countries.
- Won major global clients, including $MM deals with HSBC, Accenture, Unilever and AMEX; transformed external market perception, driving continuous improvement to quality standards and delivery.
- Embedded rigorous governance and commercial controls; created regional management hub (Singapore) and three new FDs, plus robust systems, processes, and reporting mechanisms to ensure Sarbanes Oxley compliance.
- World's leading agency in planning and buying Outdoor Media; 880 staff, 24 countries and $130M annual revenues.
- Enhanced stakeholder relations by regular communication and transparency.
COO, Europe
KINETIC / WPP
London
05.2005 - 12.2005
- Company Overview: World's leading agency in planning and buying Outdoor Media; 880 staff, 24 countries and $130M annual revenues.
- Promoted to align European operations of newly created Kinetic and drive smooth transition for partners.
- Attracted top talent into senior roles and cut 40% operating cost, leading organisational redesign.
- Maintained 100% client retention; transitioned clients into new operational structure, aligned systems and processes.
- World's leading agency in planning and buying Outdoor Media; 880 staff, 24 countries and $130M annual revenues.
CEO, UK
PORTLAND OUTDOOR ADVERTISING / WPP
London
02.1999 - 04.2005
- Company Overview: Specialist planner and buyer of outdoor media campaigns.
- Grew annual billings from $80M to $200M and took $2M annual loss to $6.5M profit via new strategy.
- Managed integration of Portland into WPP, including FTSE reporting disciplines and operational controls.
- Led Portland's merger with #1 competitor, PPL, creating Kinetic; global footprint and $130M annual revenue.
- Specialist planner and buyer of outdoor media campaigns.
International Business Director
PORTLAND OUTDOOR ADVERTISING / WPP
Warsaw
04.1997 - 01.1999
- Company Overview: Specialist planner and buyer of outdoor media campaigns.
- Specialist planner and buyer of outdoor media campaigns.
General Manager
PORTLAND OUTDOOR ADVERTISING / WPP
Warsaw
06.1993 - 03.1997
- Company Overview: Specialist planner and buyer of outdoor media campaigns.
- Specialist planner and buyer of outdoor media campaigns.
- Established a positive work environment which promoted staff morale and productivity.
Product Development Manager
VISUAL ADVANTAGES
Cape Town
01.1990 - 03.1993
- Company Overview: Supplier of window graphic advertising material for Out of Home Advertising campaigns.
- Supplier of window graphic advertising material for Out of Home Advertising campaigns.
- Managed supplier relationships to ensure timely delivery of resources.
Education
BA (Hons) - Geography
University College London (UCL)
London 09/1986 - 06/1989
Skills
- Profit growth and business development
- Digital implementation and transformation
- Team leadership and strategic planning
- Go-to-market strategy
- Commercial strategy and global partnerships
Accomplishments
- Drives major business growth; delivered aggregated profit growth of $24.8M across these roles, transforming commercial strategy and business models, repurposing legacy services, leading acquisitions, directing new propositions and driving partnerships.
- Develops global client partnerships; spearheaded profitable relationships, FOR Ink with Amex and HSBC, SOUTHWORKS with Amazon and Microsoft, and Kinetic within WPP and GroupM and directly with Accenture and HSBC.
- Creates digital propositions; formulates strategies that embed technology and digital at the heart of business offering and operations.
Affiliations
- I enjoy spending time with my wife and two daughters, all sports, gardening, news and current affairs and the almost perpetual frustrationof supporting Crystal Palace.
Timeline
Founding partner
The Listening Co.
04.2025 - Current
Interim Head of International Growth
Ink Global Travel Media
01.2023 - 12.2023
Interim UK Business Development Director
SOUTHWORKS
01.2022 - 12.2022
Interim COO
Capricorn Capital Partners
01.2020 - 12.2020
Business Development Director
7TH MINUTE
05.2016 - 11.2019
Global CEO of Aviator
KINETIC / WPP
01.2015 - 01.2016
Global Head of Business Development
KINETIC / WPP
01.2010 - 12.2014
CEO, Asia Pacific
KINETIC / WPP
01.2006 - 12.2009
COO, Europe
KINETIC / WPP
05.2005 - 12.2005
CEO, UK
PORTLAND OUTDOOR ADVERTISING / WPP
02.1999 - 04.2005
International Business Director
PORTLAND OUTDOOR ADVERTISING / WPP
04.1997 - 01.1999
General Manager
PORTLAND OUTDOOR ADVERTISING / WPP
06.1993 - 03.1997
Product Development Manager
VISUAL ADVANTAGES
01.1990 - 03.1993
BA (Hons) - Geography
University College London (UCL)
09/1986 - 06/1989
Similar Profiles
Oliver Ollis McDonaldOliver Ollis McDonald
Venue Manager at The Chapel Restaurant & Listening BarVenue Manager at The Chapel Restaurant & Listening Bar
David ThompsonDavid Thompson
Direct Care Professional (DCP) at Listening Ear Crisis CenterDirect Care Professional (DCP) at Listening Ear Crisis Center
Ella HinderakerElla Hinderaker
Program Advocate at Listening HouseProgram Advocate at Listening House
Gurshan Singh SandhuGurshan Singh Sandhu
Student at John Hampden Grammar SchoolStudent at John Hampden Grammar School
Anne BanfieldAnne Banfield
Executive Chef at The Woodway Group LtdExecutive Chef at The Woodway Group Ltd