William Howell, Finance Expert in London, United Kingdom
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William Howell

Verified Expert  in Finance

Bio

William is a seasoned entrepreneurial executive, having co-founded the UK's largest student lifestyle business, growing it by £2.5 million in turnover straight after university. He has structured £200+ million of transactions and advised startups on internationalization. His latest venture Delic, a music tech platform, has onboarded 1,450 users, raised £700,000+ in VC, and is CreaTech 2021 Ones-to-Watch listed. William joined Toptal to support entrepreneurs with financing and growth strategies.

Career Highlights

Director
Hunter Hayes Ltd
COO
SuperRational Ltd
Business Development Manager
HUTCHMED

Education Highlights

Bachelor's Degree
Newcastle University

Certification Highlights

Oxford Innovation Incubator
Oxford University
International Accelerator
Expert DOJO
Startupbootcamp FinTech London
Startupbootcamp

Case Studies

Software Expertise

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Other Expertise

  • B2B Partnerships
  • Business to Consumer (B2C)
  • Fundraising
  • HubSpot
  • Sales Strategy
  • Seed Fundraising
  • Startups

Work Experience

Head of Business Development

2023 - PRESENT
Herning Wind Limited
  • Identified areas requiring operational efficiency via a detailed GAP analysis, procuring relevant efficiency software through Simpro and Safety Culture. Also handled the hiring of a market-leading operations manager.
  • Maintained and furthered relationships with existing key multinational client accounts during an M&A transition phase.
  • Built a robust pipeline of over £0.5 million of new business in a 4-month period across the UK and Danish businesses.
Focus areas: Mergers and Aquisitions, Operational Modeling, Business Models, New Business Development, Client Relationship Management, Procurement, CRM Systems, HubSpot, RFPs, B2B Lead Generation, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Planning, Business Services, Human Resources (HR), CX Strategy, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Change Management, Organizational Design, Organizational Structure, Process Mapping

Chief Commercial Officer | Co-founder

2022 - PRESENT
Streamline Media Ltd
  • Raised pre-seed funding from Angel investors to acquire IP and assets of another company in a restructuring.
  • Developed an enterprise pipeline of over 200 educational institutions. Discussed enterprise multi-site licenses with five organizations (as of October 2024).
  • Recruited a highly experienced advisory board of industry specialists, which has led to product trials with world-recognized producers and has opened discussions with major record labels.
Focus areas: B2B, Enterprise SaaS, B2B Sales Pipeline, B2B Partnerships, Customer Acquisition, Business Plan Consulting, B2B Lead Generation, CRM Systems, Investor Relations Consultant, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Total Addressable Market (TAM), Investor Relations, Investor Reporting, Planning, Competitive Analysis, Fundraising Strategy, Human Resources (HR), Executive Presentations, CX Strategy, User Personas, Change Management, Organizational Structure, Process Mapping

Chairman

2016 - PRESENT
House of Monir Ltd
  • Supported the CEO with the conceptualization of edtech, co-hort learning modules for fashion professionals.
  • Advised the CEO with a team-building strategy, including the removal of a challenging consultant that was not the right fit for the brand or business.
  • Developed a B2B pitch deck and built an extensive pipeline of new brands to target via personal networks. Supported the business in achieving 85% year-on-year growth.
Focus areas: B2B Partnerships, Startups, Edtech Design, Consulting, Go-to-market Strategy, Product-market Fit, Business Partnerships, Partnerships, Business Strategy, Strategic Partnerships, Brand Strategy, Growth Strategy, Market Segmentation, Value Proposition, Customer Segmentation, Business Models, Sales, Market Entry, Business Development, Pitch Deck Consultant, Customer Acquisition, Business Plan Consulting, CRM Systems, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Planning, CX Strategy, Organizational Structure

Director

2012 - PRESENT
Hunter Hayes Ltd
  • Structured a complex €20 million acquisition finance to acquire a CEE marina and brownfield development site on the Adriatic coast, involving a Southeast Asian multi-family office, regional banks, and professional and technical services providers.
  • Launched prototypes and raised $2 million in funding after conducting business planning workshops for a Middle Eastern clean tech spinout that was part of a regional manufacturing conglomerate, backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
  • Secured a multi-territory sales channel for a UK fintech client with a Latin American electronic invoicing platform, increasing sales in the region by over 600%.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Due Diligence, Business Planning, Fundraising, B2B Partnerships, Sales Growth, Consulting, Management Consulting, Transformational Leadership, Fintech, International Expansion, Startups, Mentorship & Coaching, Management, Market Research & Analysis, B2C, Investments, Growth, Marketing, Early-stage Startups, Venture Capital, Pitch Decks, Revenue & Expense Projections, Go-to-market Strategy, Product-market Fit, Business Partnerships, Partnerships, Business Strategy, Strategic Partnerships, Brand Strategy, Growth Strategy, Market Opportunity Analysis, Market Segmentation, Customer Segmentation, Forecasting, Business Models, Growth Hacking, Lead Generation, Sales, Wireless Systems, Business Intelligence (BI), Growth Strategy Consultants, Consumer Insights, Market Research Analyst, Business Development, Request for Proposal (RFP), Pitch Deck Consultant, Financial Modeling, Customer Acquisition, Business Plan Consulting, United Arab Emirates, Deal Desk, RFPs, CRM Systems, Fundraising Consultant, Private Equity, Private Equity Consultant, Term Sheet Advisory, Investor Relations Consultant, Strategy Consulting, Foodtech, Middle East, Benchmarking, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Data Entry, Data Reporting, Investor Relations, Planning, Competitive Analysis, Fundraising Strategy, Business Services, Human Resources (HR), Project Management, Executive Presentations, CX Strategy, Organizational Change Management (OCM), User Personas, Organizational Design, Organizational Structure, Process Mapping

COO

2020 - 2021
SuperRational Ltd
  • Supported the founder in developing the prototype and built a team of 12 across product development and marketing.
  • Raised over £700,000 in VC from three UK and one US VC firm.
  • Led investor outreach campaigns over three rounds and managed the preparation of data rooms and term sheet negotiations.
  • Brought in a highly experienced CEO and co-founder, the former head of technology at the BBC, who has provided invaluable product innovation and credibility in the market.
  • Managed overall commercial strategy and execution, including securing multiple strategic partnerships with various industry bodies and key stakeholders.
  • Oversaw the marketing function, driving over 1,450 beta users.
Focus areas: Seed Fundraising, Startups, Business to Consumer (B2C), B2B Partnerships, Customer Success, Sales Strategy, Customer Experience, Software as a Service (SaaS), Digital Marketing Strategy, Transformational Leadership, International Expansion, Crisis Management, Miro, Management, Market Research & Analysis, B2C, Investments, Growth, Marketing, Branding, Storytelling, Early-stage Startups, Venture Capital, Financial Modeling, Revenue & Expense Projections, Go-to-market Strategy, Product-market Fit, Business Partnerships, Partnerships, Business Strategy, Strategic Partnerships, Brand Strategy, Customer Lifetime Value (CLV), Pricing, Technology, Growth Strategy, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), Product Branding, Market Opportunity Analysis, Blockchain, Market Segmentation, Value Proposition, Customer Segmentation, Product Marketing, Forecasting, Valuation, Business Models, Growth Hacking, Product Launch, Mobile Apps, Lead Generation, Sales, Business Intelligence (BI), Music, Market Entry, Market Research Analyst, Marketing Plans, Business Development, Pitch Deck Consultant, Customer Acquisition, Business Plan Consulting, Salesforce, Web3, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Data Reporting, Investor Relations, Investor Reporting, Fundraising Strategy, COO, Human Resources (HR), Project Management, Executive Presentations, Organizational Change Management (OCM), User Personas, Organizational Design

Business Development and Partnerships

2014 - 2016
Kwanji
  • Secured a multi-territory sales channel with a Latin American electronic invoicing platform, increasing sales in the region by over 600%.
  • Acted as a relationship manager to key customers, increasing usage by 150% and referrals by 75% across a key vertical.
  • Built an extensive customer pipeline across private equity and family office clients.
Focus areas: B2B Partnerships, New Business Development, Go-to-market Strategy, Product-market Fit, Business Partnerships, Partnerships, Business Strategy, Strategic Partnerships, Growth Strategy, Market Segmentation, Customer Segmentation, Lead Generation, Sales, Sales Effectiveness, Business Development, Customer Acquisition

Business Development Manager

2011 - 2012
HUTCHMED
  • Served as an experience startup operator to help turnaround a struggling retail operation and expand its consumer goods division.
  • Developed the business strategy and brand from the Hong Kong HQ with senior management.
  • Generated £2.5 million in annual savings by cutting back on operational overheads, including leases and staff costs.
  • Drove 300% of year-on-year sales by developing the retail business within the company's store operation, A.S. Watson Group, Marionnaud, and other channels across Europe.
Focus areas: Business to Business (B2B), Market Research, Sales Growth, Sales Operations, Strategy, International Expansion, Management, Turnaround Consultant, B2C, Growth, Branding, Go-to-market Strategy, Business Partnerships, Partnerships, Business Strategy, Customer Segmentation, Sales, Consumer Insights, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Beauty Products, Health, Business Development, Customer Acquisition, Nutrition & Supplements, Foodtech, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Human Resources (HR)

Sales and Marketing Manager

2009 - 2010
Scottish Apartment
  • Assisted in turning the business around by driving short-term rental revenue to support its recovery amid corporate account holder collapse post-economic crisis, with its stock reduced from 300 to 100 units.
  • Developed the sales and marketing department, personally closing 120 sales and generating £60,000 in monthly short-term rental revenue.
  • Increased hotel occupancy from 25% to 85% in three months through event marketing.
  • Leveraged proptech solutions to support fast recovery and growth.
Focus areas: Startups, B2C, Management, Crisis Management, Turnaround Consultant, Management Consulting, Consulting, Growth, Go-to-market Strategy, Partnerships, Business Strategy, Customer Segmentation, Proptech, Lead Generation, Sales, Business Development, Customer Acquisition, Change Management

Co-founder and Operations Director

2006 - 2007
Absolute Events (UK) Limited
  • Signed contracts with high-profile event venues and developed teams to run regular events in Scotland and Northern Ireland, then joined the business as a co-founder to play a central role in managing business operations.
  • Managed regional staff in seven cities across the UK, coordinating up to 18 weekly events, managing cash flow, and developing new business.
  • Generated £2.5 million of turnover and 90% year-on-year growth.
  • Developed the business plan, raising £250,000 from angel investors to expand the company's service offering into post-graduation lifestyle services.
Focus areas: B2B Partnerships, Operations, Event Planning, Event Marketing, Business Transformation, Startups, Crisis Management, Management, Market Research & Analysis, B2C, Growth, Marketing, Branding, Early-stage Startups, Venture Capital, Revenue & Expense Projections, Go-to-market Strategy, Business Partnerships, Partnerships, Business Strategy, Strategic Partnerships, Brand Strategy, Business Models, Sales, Market Entry, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Health, Business Development, COO, Human Resources (HR), Organizational Change Management (OCM)
2001 - 2004

Bachelor's Degree in History and Philosophy

Newcastle University - Newcastle, England

JANUARY 2024 - PRESENT

Oxford Innovation Incubator

Oxford University

MARCH 2022 - PRESENT

International Accelerator

Expert DOJO

NOVEMBER 2014 - PRESENT

Startupbootcamp FinTech London

Startupbootcamp

Finance

Seed Fundraising, Fundraising, Market Research, Financial Modeling, Revenue & Expense Projections, Pricing, Forecasting, Private Equity, Total Addressable Market (TAM), Due Diligence, Market Opportunity Analysis, Business Intelligence (BI), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Customer Lifetime Value (CLV), Blockchain, Valuation, Entrepreneurial Finance

Output Software

Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel

Industry Expertise

Early-stage Startups, Venture Capital, Music, Health, Sports, Technology

Data & Analysis Software

Salesforce

Geographic Expertise

United Arab Emirates, Middle East

Other

Startups, Business to Consumer (B2C), B2B Partnerships, Operations, Business Planning, Competition Research, Market Sizing, Strategy, B2C, Sales Strategy, Management Consulting, Market Research & Analysis, Pitch Decks, Go-to-market Strategy, Product-market Fit, Business Partnerships, Partnerships, Business Strategy, Strategic Partnerships, Growth Strategy, Value Proposition, B2B Lead Generation, Lead Generation, Sales, Opportunity Identification, Growth Strategy Consultants, Sales Effectiveness, Business Development, Request for Proposal (RFP), Pitch Deck Consultant, Customer Acquisition, CRM Systems, Deal Desk, Fundraising Consultant, Private Equity Consultant, Investor Relations Consultant, Strategy Consulting, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Benchmarking, Planning, Competitive Analysis, Fundraising Strategy, COO, Business Services, Human Resources (HR), Project Management, Executive Presentations, Organizational Design, Organizational Structure, Process Mapping, HubSpot, Slack, Business to Business (B2B), Sales Operations, B2B2C, Commercial Real Estate Finance (CREF), Financial Forecasting, Competitor Analysis & Profiling, Storytelling, Marketing, Growth, Investments, Mentorship & Coaching, Management, Turnaround Consultant, Digital Marketing Strategy, Transformational Leadership, Customer Success, Fintech, Customer Experience, Business Transformation, Software as a Service (SaaS), Consulting, Crisis Management, Brand Strategy, Product Branding, Market Segmentation, Customer Segmentation, Product Marketing, Business Models, Proptech, Go-to-market Plans, Growth Hacking, Product Launch, Mobile Apps, Market Entry, New Product Rollout, Consumer Insights, Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Market Research Analyst, Beauty Products, Business to Business to Consumer (B2B2C), Marketing Plans, Business Plan Consulting, Nutrition & Supplements, Procurement, RFPs, Term Sheet Advisory, Foodtech, Data Entry, Data Reporting, Investor Relations, Investor Reporting, CX Strategy, Organizational Change Management (OCM), User Personas, Change Management, Xero, Blockchain Platforms, Branding, Sales Growth, International Expansion, Event Planning, Event Marketing, Miro, New Business Development, B2B, Pitch Preparation, Sustainable Development, Sustainable Advisory, Edtech Design, Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), B2B Sales Pipeline, Wireless Systems, Enterprise SaaS, Mergers and Aquisitions, Operational Modeling, Client Relationship Management, Web3, Pitch Deck Design, Entrepreneurship

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