IAN WALL
Birmingham,West Midlands
Summary
Commercially focused operations and commercial leader with more than 30 years' experience improving organisational performance across facilities management, property services, construction and public sector environments. A proven track record of leading operational transformation, driving commercial growth and strengthening governance within multi-site businesses, delivering measurable improvements in performance, profitability and customer satisfaction.
Recognised for turning around underperforming operations, simplifying complex challenges into practical solutions and building high-performing teams through clear leadership, accountability and continuous improvement. Experienced in managing large-scale service contracts, developing strategic client relationships and leading cross-functional teams to deliver safe, compliant and commercially successful outcomes.
Throughout my career, I have increased company turnover by 70% while maintaining profitability, led operational performance across multiple sites and workforces, delivered capital and maintenance projects valued at more than £15 million, and built trusted relationships with clients across local government, education, healthcare, MOD, MOJ, police, utilities and commercial sectors. Equally comfortable operating strategically or hands-on, I bring a collaborative leadership style, strong commercial acumen and a consistent focus on delivering sustainable business improvement.
Overview
3
3
years of post-secondary education
41
41
years of professional experience
Work history
Commercial Director (Interim)
P J Rhodes Accident Repair Group
Birmingham, West Midlands
2025.02 - 2026.03
- Led performance improvement across 5 operational sites with 95 staff reviewing data and insights.
- Strengthened compliance governance through structured performance monitoring and process updates.
- Improved cash flow through tighter financial controls and enhanced operational reporting.
- Supported operations across group owned live music venue and restaurant acquisition.
- Aligned service delivery to client sustainability objectives and environmental efficiency targets.
- Streamlined processes to improve workflow efficiency across teams.
- Enhanced team performance by rolling out strategic commercial initiatives.
- Implemented cost control measures that improved financial efficiency.
Business Development Support (Interim)
Ventol Ltd
Tamworth, Staffordshire
2024.07 - 2025.01
- Supported development across refurbishment and service-led environments.
- Engaged with public sector and commercial clients to support growth and delivery.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to align business goals and objectives.
- Assessed competitor activities for strategic positioning.
- Secured new business opportunities by cultivating strong relationships with potential clients.
- Supported regional office in achieving its £4m annual performance target.
- Managed and organised CRM operations for optimal efficiency.
Head of Operations / Commercial Director
Cubic FM
Walsall, West Midlands
2019.09 - 2024.07
- Led performance improvement across multi-site FM maintenance and compliance operations.
- Increased turnover by 70% while maintaining profit margins.
- Reviewed performance data with operational engagement to find root causes quickly.
- Oversaw delivery of project works across prison, MOJ, police, customs, healthcare utilities sites.
- Partnered with tier 1 FM providers including Vinci and Graham FM.
- Strengthened compliance through improved tracking, reporting, and governance processes.
- Introduced structured performance and post-project reviews to improve planning accuracy.
- Delivered fire safety programmes including fire door replacement and fire stopping.
- Coordinated live high-compliance delivery through planning and stakeholder engagement.
- Coordinated cross-departmental initiatives to achieve overall business objectives.
- Organised financial and operational data for annual budgeting and planning.
Regional Operations & Business Development Manager
Mitie
Cannock, Staffordshire
2018.10 - 2019.09
- Co-ordinate contract mobilisation and day-to-day service delivery in education and FM contracts.
- Support operational teams to align delivery with performance targets and client requirements.
- Manage key accounts to maintain high customer satisfaction across services.
- Keep project documentation up to date to support transparency and accountability.
- Work with clients to understand needs and define clear project expectations.
- Coordinate multiple projects simultaneously to deliver required quality standards on time.
Business Development Manager
Novus Property Solutions
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
2016.08 - 2018.09
- Supported five national offices generating new business across refurbishment and maintenance services.
- Managed a 5m annual pipeline target using data and market insight to identify opportunities.
- Built strong client relationships across public sector education and commercial environments.
- Worked closely with regional operational teams to support successful mobilisation and delivery.
- Drove revenue growth using innovative sales strategies.
- Secured new business opportunities by cultivating strong relationships with potential clients.
- Fostered client relationships resulting in increased brand loyalty.
- Managed key accounts while maintaining high customer satisfaction levels.
- Streamlined processes to improve overall efficiency across teams.
- Executed successful product launches to drive market penetration.
- Assessed competitor activity to support strategic positioning and decision-making.
Estimator / Commercial Development
Blue Square
Telford, Telford and Wrekin
2014.03 - 2016.08
- Produced cost estimates and commercial proposals for mod education and social housing projects.
- Analysed project data specifications and risks to shape decision-making and pricing.
- Developed structured costing and reporting processes to improve accuracy and consistency.
- Conducted structured reviews and post-project analysis to find delivery improvements.
- Reviewed project performance after completion to inform future estimation improvements.
- Supported contract negotiations to help reach successful outcomes.
- Collaborated with other departments to produce comprehensive project costings.
- Maintained meticulous records of estimations for future reference and analysis.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams including architects engineers contractors and subcontractors.
Owner / Operations Manager
FP Contracts
Birmingham, West Midlands
2003.01 - 2014.02
- Delivered maintenance refurbishment and FM services across multi-site environments.
- .Managed compliance budgets and tracked operational performance across sites.
- .Managed daily operations to keep business running smoothly.
- .Resolved workplace conflicts professionally with staff and customers.
- .Trained all staff thoroughly to deliver consistently high service.
- .Developed new business opportunities to expand market reach.
- .Led daily team meetings to promote open communication and collaboration.
- .Negotiated supplier contracts to reduce overall costs.
- .Built and managed profitable business through strong entrepreneurial judgement.
- .Complied with regulatory standards for safe and ethical trading.
- .Identified new business opportunities to increase revenue.
- .Managed daily operations to keep business running smoothly.
- .Devised budget plans to ensure financial stability for business.
Property/Facilities Manager
Birmingham City Council
Birmingham, West Midlands
1993.01 - 2003.02
- Served as key liaison between schools and local authority on capital projects.
- Trained staff in emergency procedures to improve readiness and crisis response.
- Performed rigorous health and safety inspections to maintain full compliance.
- Partnered with suppliers to secure cost-effective services for facilities.
- Coordinated building projects to minimise disruption to ongoing operations.
- Implemented new cleaning protocols to improve cleanliness of facilities.
- Scheduled maintenance to keep equipment running reliably and efficiently.
- Planned preventative maintenance and reactive repairs to control costs.
- Upskilled staff through targeted training to strengthen team capabilities.
- Produced management reports showing key facility statistics for stakeholders.
- Managed budgets to align with agreed departmental funding plans.
- Conducted periodic performance reviews for direct reports and development needs.
Fitter/Joiner
Harford Kitchen Designs
Birmingham, West Midlands
1985.09 - 1991.01
- Completed regular maintenance checks to keep safety standards current.
- Carried out routine inspections to maintain product quality standards.
- Coordinated cross-departmental teams to support progress on product development.
- Fitted kitchen units using correct tools and installation techniques.
- Delivered high-quality kitchen installations to secure client satisfaction.
- Applied kitchen design material knowledge to improve quality output.
- Collaborated with other tradespeople to finish projects on time.
Education
Higher National Diploma - Business and Finance
B.Tech
Birmingham 1992.09 - 1995.06
Skills
Commercial
- P&L Management
- Financial Forecasting
- Budget Control
- Contract Negotiation
Operations
- Multi-site Operations
- Performance Improvement
- Compliance
- H&S
Leadership
- Team Development
- Stakeholder Management
- Client Relationships
Selected Operational & Commercial Improvements
Commercial Performance & Contract Improvement (Cubic FM)
- Strengthened contract performance through tighter procurement disciplines, structured contract reviews and enhanced commercial controls, improving financial visibility and value for money.
- Introduced Cost Value Reconciliation (CVR) reporting and project-level financial controls to monitor expenditure, manage contract variations and support informed commercial decision-making.
- Embedded structured commercial reporting and performance reviews, improving forecasting accuracy and commercial governance.
- Reduced maintenance backlogs through structured planning, effective prioritisation and improved contractor coordination across live operational environments.
- Introduced consistent KPI monitoring, performance reporting and stakeholder communication, improving service standards, accountability and client confidence.
- Established post-project reviews and continuous improvement processes to strengthen future planning, delivery and operational performance.
- Introduced structured operational governance, KPI reporting and regular performance review meetings, improving accountability and consistency across five business locations.
- Developed site managers through clear performance expectations, coaching and operational support, strengthening ownership of compliance, inspections and business performance.
- Implemented shared operational reporting to improve organisational visibility, support data-driven decision-making and embed a culture of continuous improvement.
Affiliations
- Lead vocalist in a successful live covers band, regularly performing at sold-out shows. Songwriter with independently released music. Enjoy countryside walks and supporting my children through grassroots football.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Experience across MOD, MOJ (prisons), police, healthcare, utilities, and public sector estates
- Eligible to obtain SC Clearance
- Full UK driving licence.
- Midlands-based with flexibility for travel
Timeline
Commercial Director (Interim)
P J Rhodes Accident Repair Group
2025.02 - 2026.03
Business Development Support (Interim)
Ventol Ltd
2024.07 - 2025.01
Head of Operations / Commercial Director
Cubic FM
2019.09 - 2024.07
Regional Operations & Business Development Manager
Mitie
2018.10 - 2019.09
Business Development Manager
Novus Property Solutions
2016.08 - 2018.09
Estimator / Commercial Development
Blue Square
2014.03 - 2016.08
Owner / Operations Manager
FP Contracts
2003.01 - 2014.02
Property/Facilities Manager
Birmingham City Council
1993.01 - 2003.02
Higher National Diploma - Business and Finance
B.Tech
1992.09 - 1995.06
Fitter/Joiner
Harford Kitchen Designs
1985.09 - 1991.01