By Rod Howells, Commercial Director
If you asked me what I do day-to-day, I’d probably struggle to give you a neat answer.
Not because there isn’t one, but because the reality is much broader. One day I’m speaking to a company planning a brand-new factory from the ground up. The next, I’m working with organisations navigating entry into a completely new sector, or exploring what emerging technologies like AI mean for their future.
But if I had to summarise it, it would be this:
I help businesses move forward.
Working at the point where ideas become real
Throughout my career, I’ve always been drawn to the moment where something shifts, where an idea starts to become tangible.
That goes right back to one of the first major projects I worked on: helping set up a new manufacturing business. It wasn’t glamorous, skip containers, waste equipment, but it was real. Watching something go from an empty space to a functioning operation in under two years stays with you.
That experience has shaped everything I’ve done since.
Whether it’s developing a new product, entering a new market, or reshaping a business model, I’ve always been interested in the same question:
How do you take something from concept to reality?
Why no two days are the same
One of the things I value most about my role is the variety.
In a single day, I might:
- Work with a company planning a new manufacturing site
- Explore how SMEs can enter complex markets like defence
- Or look at how technologies like AI are changing how businesses operate
What connects all of those is the challenge at the centre:
understanding what a business needs to move forward, and helping make it happen.
Sometimes that means rolling up my sleeves and working directly with a company. Other times, it’s about bringing the right people together, connecting expertise across teams, sectors, and networks.
The power of connection
A big part of what I do is connecting dots that businesses don’t always see themselves.
That might be:
- Introducing a company to the right partner
- Helping them understand a new market
- Or identifying where their existing capabilities could apply in completely different ways
It’s often not about creating something entirely new, it’s about recognising where existing strengths can solve new problems.
You see that a lot in emerging sectors.
Take defence, for example. There’s a common perception that it’s all about high-end technology or large-scale manufacturing. But in reality, it’s everything from logistics and infrastructure to digital systems and niche innovations.
The challenge isn’t always access, it’s alignment.
The need exists, but the right businesses don’t always know where they fit.
Helping businesses ask the right questions
One of the most valuable things I can do for a business isn’t give them answers, it’s help them ask better questions.
If a company is considering a new market or opportunity, I’ll usually start with:
- What do you actually know about it?
- What problem are you solving?
- And is there a genuine need for what you’re offering?
It sounds simple, but it’s often where the real clarity comes from.
Research, conversations, testing assumptions, these are some of the most important (and often overlooked) steps in any growth journey.
As I often say, research is one of the cheapest and most valuable things a business can do.
The role of innovation, and responsibility
Alongside sector work like defence, a growing part of my focus is on emerging technologies, particularly AI.
There’s no question that AI presents huge opportunities for businesses. But it also brings uncertainty, risk, and a lot of noise.
From my perspective, it’s not just about what AI can do, it’s about how businesses use it responsibly.
- How does it fit into your processes?
- What does it mean for your people?
- Are you building something sustainable, or creating future risk?
In many ways, we’re at a point where we can help shape how these technologies are adopted.
And that comes with a level of responsibility.
Why impact matters most
When I think about the most rewarding part of my work, it isn’t a specific project or sector.
It’s the moment when you see progress.
It might be:
- A business launching something new
- A team growing in confidence
- Or a conversation you had months ago turn into tangible results
Sometimes it’s hearing from a company a year later, saying:
“We took your advice, and it worked.”
That’s the real measure of impact.
Looking ahead
Business environments are becoming more complex, new technologies, new markets, new challenges.
But at their core, the fundamentals don’t change.
Businesses still need to:
- Understand where they are
- Be clear on where they’re going
- And make informed decisions along the way
My role is to support that journey, to bring together insight, people, and opportunity in a way that helps businesses move forward with confidence.
Because ultimately, progress isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about knowing how to take the next step.
Looking to explore new markets, embrace emerging technologies, or turn ambitious ideas into reality? Discover how our commercial and innovation support can help your business make informed decisions, build valuable connections, and move forward with confidence.
