Rob Boland

Varden Club is a modern golf society built around craftsmanship, heritage and a certain standard of life, expressed through exceptional clothing, rare objects and considered experiences

PepTalks are the UK’s leading peer to peer learning and training provider to PE backed leaders. Through their programmes and communities, they help address the skill gaps that leaders can face when navigating the private equity deal cycle for the first time, in order to improve their odds of success. As an Honorary Member, I look to share my experience and expertise, to try and help those who are earlier on in their PE journeys.

Plan, direct and oversee all operational activities ensuring operational excellence and operational delivery in accordance with the organisation’s strategic objectives. Creation and daily management of innovative business management systems to ensure optimal delivery and tracking for all business projects across all departments and global offices. Formulating and developing a robust and innovative e-operations and digital transformation strategy to improve business competitiveness and improve client engagement. Managing and directing the creation of numerous complex reporting systems that allow complex reporting structures and in-depth data analysis across all global client accounts. Developing and reviewing all digital technology platforms across seven hundred airport lounges.

I was appointed to a senior leadership role with full accountability for all outbound operational and change management programs within a large, complex Amazon fulfilment centre. It is my responsibility to oversee the day to day operations of 21 leadership professionals working within operations, change management, continuous improvement and area management. I work at a strategic level to define and achieve operational goals and undertake planning, analysis and firecasting tasks to ensure the achievement of business goals and wider objectives. Key Achievements: Instrumental in the design and implementation of some of the largest productivity improvements within the UK network in 2013, achieving a 23% increase in productivity from the previous year. Facilitated the delivery of the largest peak period for the fulfilment centre during 2013. Managed the delivery and implementation of a number of essential projects and change management programs throughout 2013. Identified significant abnormalities within different process paths and initiated a period of change which directly resulted in 6% increase in efficiency. Managed two large scale kaizen projects which created changes that improved productivity across key business areas. Reduced labor costs through development of productivity improvements and matching of new shift patterns to vendor delivery patterns.

Within this role, I received promotion as the youngest regional manager across the entire Virgin Active group, tasked with the responsibility of managing 14 health clubs throughout the South East, incorporating multi-million EBITDA and PAC revenue lines. This was a complex and challenging role, which required strong managerial skills in order to oversee a team of regional sales, fitness, health and safety, HR and maintenance managers, 14 general managers and over 800 employees across nine different departments. Key achievement: I was actively involved in a 7% growth in regional membership between the years of 2010 and 2011. Achieved annual savings of £250,000 primarily through the development of a significant change program. Collaboratively transformed over 53 underperforming health clubs located in the UK.

Successfully managed one of the largest clubs in the group with direct responsibility for >120 staff and 12 separate profit centres.

Dissertation Title: Financial Analysis of Dot-Com Bubble