About Merlin5

Built by people accountable for growth

Merlin5 is practitioner led. Our team has held Board, CEO, CRO, CGO, CCO, VP Sales, Managing Director and Partner roles across private equity-backed businesses, global enterprises and professional services organisations.

7

Leadership partners, all with board-level experience

30+

Years of collective commercial leadership

The Founding Partners

Meet the team

Our backgrounds span different industries, disciplines and leadership roles. We share a common belief: growth is rarely constrained by a lack of ambition. More often it is constrained by execution.

Martin Hess

Martin Hess

Chairman

Senior leadership positions across IBM, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Telefónica Tech. Led HPE's sales organisation and HPE Enterprise Services — a multi-billion-dollar global operation. Grew Telefónica Tech UK&I more than tenfold as CEO and Chairman.

Martin Hess

Martin Hess

Chairman

Senior leadership positions across IBM, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Telefónica Tech. Led HPE's sales organisation and HPE Enterprise Services — a multi-billion-dollar global operation. Grew Telefónica Tech UK&I more than tenfold as CEO and Chairman.

Nigel Kirkham

Nigel Kirkham

Investor & Board Advisor

CEO, CRO, CGO and CCO positions at Avanade, TMF Group, Hays PLC and DXC. Partner at KPMG Consulting, leading large-scale transformation and establishing KPMG's consulting practice across the Middle East.

Nigel Kirkham

Nigel Kirkham

Investor & Board Advisor

CEO, CRO, CGO and CCO positions at Avanade, TMF Group, Hays PLC and DXC. Partner at KPMG Consulting, leading large-scale transformation and establishing KPMG's consulting practice across the Middle East.

Steve Short

Steve Short

Chief Executive Officer

Highly experienced commercial leader across private equity, enterprise and professional services. Executive Director, General Manager and VP at HP, CGI, DXC and Atos. Specialises in commercial strategy and sales transformation.

Steve Short

Steve Short

Chief Executive Officer

Highly experienced commercial leader across private equity, enterprise and professional services. Executive Director, General Manager and VP at HP, CGI, DXC and Atos. Specialises in commercial strategy and sales transformation.

Debbie Robinson

Debbie Robinson

Chief Operating Officer

CEO and Founder of Mojo Partners. Leadership positions at T-Systems and Motorola. Extensive experience in growth strategy, business development, strategic partnerships and commercial transformation.

Debbie Robinson

Debbie Robinson

Chief Operating Officer

CEO and Founder of Mojo Partners. Leadership positions at T-Systems and Motorola. Extensive experience in growth strategy, business development, strategic partnerships and commercial transformation.

Steve Cullen

Steve Cullen

Managing Partner

Associate Partner at Deloitte Digital. Led Vodafone's global go-to-market and sales transformation. Led Nokia's EMEA services sales and consulting business. Deep expertise in enterprise sales and commercial transformation.

Steve Cullen

Steve Cullen

Managing Partner

Associate Partner at Deloitte Digital. Led Vodafone's global go-to-market and sales transformation. Led Nokia's EMEA services sales and consulting business. Deep expertise in enterprise sales and commercial transformation.

Mike Frier

Mike Frier

Chief Financial Officer

Accomplished finance professional with more than 30 years’ experience across technology, healthcare, retail and manufacturing. He spent over 10 years at Telefónica Tech, including seven years as Head of Finance. Before this, Mike held Financial Controller and Group Financial Controller positions with MedicX Group, Feather & Black and SSD Drives. Mike brings extensive experience in financial analysis, reporting, control and commercial management to his role as CFO at Merlin5.

Mike Frier

Mike Frier

Chief Financial Officer

Accomplished finance professional with more than 30 years’ experience across technology, healthcare, retail and manufacturing. He spent over 10 years at Telefónica Tech, including seven years as Head of Finance. Before this, Mike held Financial Controller and Group Financial Controller positions with MedicX Group, Feather & Black and SSD Drives. Mike brings extensive experience in financial analysis, reporting, control and commercial management to his role as CFO at Merlin5.

Colin Dixon

Colin Dixon

Chief Technical Officer

Technology strategist and Co-Founder of Illustra.tv. Extensive experience designing digital learning platforms, business simulations and AI-enabled technologies.

Colin Dixon

Colin Dixon

Chief Technical Officer

Technology strategist and Co-Founder of Illustra.tv. Extensive experience designing digital learning platforms, business simulations and AI-enabled technologies.

Alan Saunders

Alan Saunders

Chief Enablement Officer

CEO and Co-Founder of Illustra.tv. Recognised leader in virtual learning, leadership development and organisational capability building. Delivered programmes across North America, Latin America, EMEA and Asia-Pacific.

Alan Saunders

Alan Saunders

Chief Enablement Officer

CEO and Co-Founder of Illustra.tv. Recognised leader in virtual learning, leadership development and organisational capability building. Delivered programmes across North America, Latin America, EMEA and Asia-Pacific.

Chris Thomas

Chris Thomas

Revenue Growth Officer

Established and led Vodafone's global B2B digital sales organisation. Experience across Microsoft, Apple, Qlik, Alcatel-Lucent and Deloitte. Specialises in sales strategy, revenue operations, digital sales and forecasting.

Chris Thomas

Chris Thomas

Revenue Growth Officer

Established and led Vodafone's global B2B digital sales organisation. Experience across Microsoft, Apple, Qlik, Alcatel-Lucent and Deloitte. Specialises in sales strategy, revenue operations, digital sales and forecasting.

Specialists In Growth, Transformation And Commercial Performance

Meet the wider team

Commercial growth is rarely the result of a single capability. Behind every engagement is a team spanning sales leadership, revenue operations, customer insight, digital sales, data analytics, leadership development and programme delivery.

Kevin Vaughan-Smith

Kevin Vaughan-Smith

Consulting Partner

Kevin Vaughan-Smith, held the position of Managing Director at FranklinCovey Europe for 7 years. His roles as Account Group Director at Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Associate Partner at EY highlighted his strategic acumen and leadership skills. Kevin’s track record of success demonstrates his ability to drive excellence in various professional domains, making him a valuable asset to any organization.

Kevin Vaughan-Smith

Kevin Vaughan-Smith

Consulting Partner

Kevin Vaughan-Smith, held the position of Managing Director at FranklinCovey Europe for 7 years. His roles as Account Group Director at Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Associate Partner at EY highlighted his strategic acumen and leadership skills. Kevin’s track record of success demonstrates his ability to drive excellence in various professional domains, making him a valuable asset to any organization.

Frances Gilmour

Frances Gilmour

Partner and Practice Lead

Strategic Client Insights at Merlin5, designed and led the CX programme at EY, personally interviewing senior execs of the firms’ clients and delivering insights to enable growth. Prior to EY, Frances led a Global banking account for HP, and has a combination of BD and Customer Service Management roles that have shaped her values. She brings a challenger approach to assignments that are recognised as critical to the value delivered to her clients.

Frances Gilmour

Frances Gilmour

Partner and Practice Lead

Strategic Client Insights at Merlin5, designed and led the CX programme at EY, personally interviewing senior execs of the firms’ clients and delivering insights to enable growth. Prior to EY, Frances led a Global banking account for HP, and has a combination of BD and Customer Service Management roles that have shaped her values. She brings a challenger approach to assignments that are recognised as critical to the value delivered to her clients.

Ada Vlachou

Ada Vlachou

Software Engineer

Ada Vlachou is a Software Engineer experienced in designing and implementing online platforms. She focuses on web development and software architecture to improve user engagement and operational efficiency. Ada actively seeks out new solutions to improve digital experiences.

Ada Vlachou

Ada Vlachou

Software Engineer

Ada Vlachou is a Software Engineer experienced in designing and implementing online platforms. She focuses on web development and software architecture to improve user engagement and operational efficiency. Ada actively seeks out new solutions to improve digital experiences.

Joe Carney

Joe Carney

Practice Lead Revenue Operations

Joe Carney, a strategic leader in sales operations, has significantly impacted the software and customer experience industries. As Director of Global Sales Operations at Snow Software, he spearheaded transformative sales strategies, driving international growth. At Rant & Rave, his tenure as Head of Sales Operations was pivotal in refining sales processes and enhancing customer engagement, establishing him as a key figure in business success and market evolution.

Joe Carney

Joe Carney

Practice Lead Revenue Operations

Joe Carney, a strategic leader in sales operations, has significantly impacted the software and customer experience industries. As Director of Global Sales Operations at Snow Software, he spearheaded transformative sales strategies, driving international growth. At Rant & Rave, his tenure as Head of Sales Operations was pivotal in refining sales processes and enhancing customer engagement, establishing him as a key figure in business success and market evolution.

Marta Del Castillo Ávilas

Marta Del Castillo Ávilas

Sales Operations & Data Analyst

Senior Business Intelligence & Data Analyst with 15+ years’ experience delivering data, reporting, and commercial insight solutions within large multinational organisations. Specialises in business intelligence tools, advanced analytics, executive dashboarding, CRM reporting, and sales and marketing automation platforms that improve visibility, accelerate decision-making, and strengthen commercial performance. Experienced in designing scalable reporting environments and transforming complex operational and commercial data into clear insight that supports growth, forecasting accuracy, operational efficiency, and strategic decision-making.

Marta Del Castillo Ávilas

Marta Del Castillo Ávilas

Sales Operations & Data Analyst

Senior Business Intelligence & Data Analyst with 15+ years’ experience delivering data, reporting, and commercial insight solutions within large multinational organisations. Specialises in business intelligence tools, advanced analytics, executive dashboarding, CRM reporting, and sales and marketing automation platforms that improve visibility, accelerate decision-making, and strengthen commercial performance. Experienced in designing scalable reporting environments and transforming complex operational and commercial data into clear insight that supports growth, forecasting accuracy, operational efficiency, and strategic decision-making.

Ann Ritchie-Cox

Ann Ritchie-Cox

Sales & AI Partner

Ann is a senior commercial leader with a proven track record of driving growth, building strategic partnerships and leading complex sales organisations across technology, telecommunications, automotive and facilities management. She has held Managing Director, Sales Director, VP and Group Business Development Director roles at Broxmouth Solutions, Mitie, CommScope, GFG Alliance and BCA Marketplace. Earlier in her career at Vodafone, she led commercial partnerships, business development and global account relationships, creating new growth opportunities and strengthening long-term client value.

Ann Ritchie-Cox

Ann Ritchie-Cox

Sales & AI Partner

Ann is a senior commercial leader with a proven track record of driving growth, building strategic partnerships and leading complex sales organisations across technology, telecommunications, automotive and facilities management. She has held Managing Director, Sales Director, VP and Group Business Development Director roles at Broxmouth Solutions, Mitie, CommScope, GFG Alliance and BCA Marketplace. Earlier in her career at Vodafone, she led commercial partnerships, business development and global account relationships, creating new growth opportunities and strengthening long-term client value.

Partner

Claire Thomas

Talent & L & D Specialist

Claire is an accredited executive and team coach, leadership development trainer and facilitator with over twenty years’ experience supporting the private and public sectors and seven years supporting consultants as a Talent Specialist in a global consulting firm. At Merlin5 Claire helps individuals, groups and teams unearth and realise their visions, ambitions and potential by supporting them to be their best, authentic selves. She does this through her attentive and supportive - yet challenging - style.

Partner

Claire Thomas

Talent & L & D Specialist

Claire is an accredited executive and team coach, leadership development trainer and facilitator with over twenty years’ experience supporting the private and public sectors and seven years supporting consultants as a Talent Specialist in a global consulting firm. At Merlin5 Claire helps individuals, groups and teams unearth and realise their visions, ambitions and potential by supporting them to be their best, authentic selves. She does this through her attentive and supportive - yet challenging - style.

Cormac Power

Cormac Power

Digital Sales Specialist

Cormac Power is a highly experienced sales and digital sales leader with more than 20 years of success building and scaling inside sales, sales development, and digital revenue organisations across EMEA, APAC, and North America. He has led high-performing teams for global technology brands including Wayfair, Accenture, Microsoft, Vodafone, and Dell, combining hands-on sales leadership with deep expertise in Revenue Operations (RevOps), forecasting, pipeline governance, outbound strategy, and sales enablement. Known for driving measurable growth through structured coaching, operational discipline, and scalable go-to-market execution, Cormac has consistently improved conversion rates, accelerated sales cycles, increased quota attainment, and developed high-performance sales cultures across complex enterprise and SaaS environments.

Cormac Power

Cormac Power

Digital Sales Specialist

Cormac Power is a highly experienced sales and digital sales leader with more than 20 years of success building and scaling inside sales, sales development, and digital revenue organisations across EMEA, APAC, and North America. He has led high-performing teams for global technology brands including Wayfair, Accenture, Microsoft, Vodafone, and Dell, combining hands-on sales leadership with deep expertise in Revenue Operations (RevOps), forecasting, pipeline governance, outbound strategy, and sales enablement. Known for driving measurable growth through structured coaching, operational discipline, and scalable go-to-market execution, Cormac has consistently improved conversion rates, accelerated sales cycles, increased quota attainment, and developed high-performance sales cultures across complex enterprise and SaaS environments.

Stuart Maclachlan

Stuart Maclachlan

Go to Market & Growth Partner

Stuart Maclachlan is a commercially driven strategy and sales consultant with a career spanning consumer goods, FMCG, financial services, and professional services. He began at Unilever and Kellogg's, before founding his own strategy firm which he and successfully exited in 2018. Most recently a Partner at Cognosis, a London-based strategy and management consultancy, he grew new business from 6% to 30% of firm revenue and helped double the size of the business over seven years. At Merlin5, Stuart helps clients sharpen their go-to-market strategy, build effective sales capabilities, and translate commercial insight into sustainable revenue growth.

Stuart Maclachlan

Stuart Maclachlan

Go to Market & Growth Partner

Stuart Maclachlan is a commercially driven strategy and sales consultant with a career spanning consumer goods, FMCG, financial services, and professional services. He began at Unilever and Kellogg's, before founding his own strategy firm which he and successfully exited in 2018. Most recently a Partner at Cognosis, a London-based strategy and management consultancy, he grew new business from 6% to 30% of firm revenue and helped double the size of the business over seven years. At Merlin5, Stuart helps clients sharpen their go-to-market strategy, build effective sales capabilities, and translate commercial insight into sustainable revenue growth.

Ian Cunningham

Ian Cunningham

Go to Market & Growth Partner

Ian Cunningham is an experienced sales leader and executive consultant with more than 30 years’ experience helping organisations achieve sustainable growth. He has built and led international sales teams across the technology and telecoms sectors, supporting companies including Colt, Lumen Technologies, Zayo Group, Experian, Vodafone and BT Group. Ian specialises in customer engagement, consultative selling, complex bids, sales transformation and developing high-performing teams, combining strategic expertise with a people-centred approach.

Ian Cunningham

Ian Cunningham

Go to Market & Growth Partner

Ian Cunningham is an experienced sales leader and executive consultant with more than 30 years’ experience helping organisations achieve sustainable growth. He has built and led international sales teams across the technology and telecoms sectors, supporting companies including Colt, Lumen Technologies, Zayo Group, Experian, Vodafone and BT Group. Ian specialises in customer engagement, consultative selling, complex bids, sales transformation and developing high-performing teams, combining strategic expertise with a people-centred approach.

Lamar Dallas

Lamar Dallas

Head of Digital Office

Lamar Dallas, a forward-thinking digital enthusiast in market research and digital innovation, has significantly impacted the tech and M&A sectors in the UK. As Head of Research at PCB Partners, he revolutionised market strategies and consumer insights. By founding and leading DigiGide, his innovative approach helped small businesses make better decisions.

Lamar Dallas

Lamar Dallas

Head of Digital Office

Lamar Dallas, a forward-thinking digital enthusiast in market research and digital innovation, has significantly impacted the tech and M&A sectors in the UK. As Head of Research at PCB Partners, he revolutionised market strategies and consumer insights. By founding and leading DigiGide, his innovative approach helped small businesses make better decisions.

Rosie Hamilton

Rosie Hamilton

Training Co-ordinator

Rosie Hamilton has a background in logistics of training coordination, date scheduling, resource planning and operational support. She has project-managed many large programs for customers, including tracking of delegates, project reporting and distribution of training materials. Rosie has worked with speakers and customers on a global scale and has experience in scheduling resources across time zones.

Rosie Hamilton

Rosie Hamilton

Training Co-ordinator

Rosie Hamilton has a background in logistics of training coordination, date scheduling, resource planning and operational support. She has project-managed many large programs for customers, including tracking of delegates, project reporting and distribution of training materials. Rosie has worked with speakers and customers on a global scale and has experience in scheduling resources across time zones.

Emma White

Emma White

Head of Design

Emma White, a creative force in graphic design, has notably influenced the visual communication field. As a Graphic Designer at EY, she introduced innovative design concepts, elevating brand messaging and corporate presentations. Her skills were further honed as a Graphics Presentation Operator at Astonics Presentations Graphics, where her artistic vision and technical expertise played a crucial role in delivering high-impact visual solutions.

Emma White

Emma White

Head of Design

Emma White, a creative force in graphic design, has notably influenced the visual communication field. As a Graphic Designer at EY, she introduced innovative design concepts, elevating brand messaging and corporate presentations. Her skills were further honed as a Graphics Presentation Operator at Astonics Presentations Graphics, where her artistic vision and technical expertise played a crucial role in delivering high-impact visual solutions.

Gill Tolley

Gill Tolley

Finance and Business Operations

Gill is known for providing trusted and efficient support that helps senior leaders and their teams stay organised, focused and effective. She brings more than 30 years’ experience across executive assistance, business administration, and sales leadership support, including a long career in corporate employment at various Exec levels. Gill now works as a Virtual Assistant, using her extensive experience to support businesses with administration, finance, co-ordination and day-to-day operations.

Gill Tolley

Gill Tolley

Finance and Business Operations

Gill is known for providing trusted and efficient support that helps senior leaders and their teams stay organised, focused and effective. She brings more than 30 years’ experience across executive assistance, business administration, and sales leadership support, including a long career in corporate employment at various Exec levels. Gill now works as a Virtual Assistant, using her extensive experience to support businesses with administration, finance, co-ordination and day-to-day operations.

Our experience

What the team has done

Between them, the people above have been on the receiving end of every pressure they now advise on.

Carried revenue targets

Managed forecasting pressure

Built digital sales organisations

Transformed commercial operations

Advised private equity firms and portfolio companies

Been responsible for delivering growth

Senior leadership roles held at:

Our mission

Identify. Prioritise. Execute. Accelerate.

Our backgrounds span different industries, disciplines and leadership roles. We share a common belief: growth is rarely constrained by a lack of ambition. More often it is constrained by execution.

Identify

What matters most

Prioritise

Effectively

Execute

With confidence

Accelerate

Growth

How we think about growth

Four questions before any solution

Many organisations begin with solutions — a new CRM platform, a sales methodology, a restructuring programme, an AI initiative — before they have clarity on the problem they are trying to solve. Sustainable growth starts by answering four questions.

Why?

What are we trying to achieve?

Clarity on ambition, growth objectives and what success looks like. Growth starts with a clear destination.

Where to play?

Where should we focus?

Not every opportunity creates equal value. Focus on the right customers, markets and sources of revenue. Focus creates momentum.

How to win?

What will differentiate us?

Growth requires competitive advantage, customer value, differentiation and capabilities.

How to execute?

How do we turn strategy into results?

Even the best strategy fails without execution. Capabilities, behaviours, systems, processes and measurement all matter.

Strategy

Guides focus by defining priorities and intent.

Strategy

Guides focus by defining priorities and intent.

Focus

Shapes the capabilities we invest in and grow.

Focus

Shapes the capabilities we invest in and grow.

Capability

Enables effective execution of chosen initiatives.

Capability

Enables effective execution of chosen initiatives.

Execution

Delivers results that validate strategy and focus.

Execution

Delivers results that validate strategy and focus.

One team, one objective

What we bring

Strategic Leadership

Board-level experience across PE-backed and global enterprises

Customer Insight

Deep understanding of what drives customer relationships and retention

Commercial Transformation

Proven capability to redesign and accelerate commercial operations

Revenue Operations

Scalable commercial operating models built for growth

Digital Innovation

AI-supported insight and technology-enabled execution

Growth starts with understanding what matters most

We help leadership teams identify those priorities, focus effort where it matters, and move quickly from diagnosis to measurable improvement. Let's talk.

Merlin5 is a sales transformation and commercial growth consultancy built by experienced sales and revenue leaders.

Merlin5 is a sales transformation and commercial growth consultancy built by experienced sales and revenue leaders.

© 2026 Merlin5

© 2026 Merlin5