Stepping up when the founders stepped out
- Type
- In the seat
- Role
- Interim COO, then CEO
- Duration
- 16 months
- Sector
- Digital agency
I joined as COO to bring structure to a growing team. A few weeks later the founders stepped away, and I took over as CEO. Energy was low and the chair at the top was empty. Nobody knew where the company was heading anymore, and people had stopped believing in it.
What changed
Business units
3 new unitsConsultancy, Studio and Academy, built from scratch
- Three new clients signed on top of the existing base
- Margin on existing clients up 8%
- A clear strategic identity, ready to grow
- Leaner operations and teams pulling in the same direction
- More energy and confidence across the company
- A smooth handover to long-term leadership
What I did
New business units
When I joined, none of this existed. We built three separate units: Consultancy for staffing, Studio for digital products, and an Academy.
Direction
We built a strategy on what the company was already good at and where it stood in the market, so teams knew again what they were working towards.
Operations
We reworked the core processes and dropped what wasn’t adding anything. Teams were rearranged so they could grow.
Decisions and trust
A new way of deciding gave people room and made it clear who answered for what. Things moved faster, and confidence came back.
Energy
The conversation in the company moved from getting through the month to what could be built next.
What we built held after I left.
The messy version is fine. I’ll tell you honestly whether I can help.