Recognised for delivering multi-million-pound revenue growth & spearheading organisational change. I excel at translating operational challenges into strategic solutions.
Currently pursuing a PhD in AI in Business Analytics at the University of Hertfordshire.
Bear McBlack is a UK‑based growth and digital transformation leader, father of seven (soon to be eight), and final‑stage PhD researcher creating the first academically grounded generative AI adoption framework tailored for micro‑businesses.
With over 25 years of commercial experience, Bear has led multi‑million‑pound growth, digital transformation, and organisational change across environmental services, technology SMEs, and entrepreneurial ventures. Following a deliberate mid‑career pivot, he progressed through a First‑Class BSc (Hons), a distinction‑grade MBA, and a fully funded PhD in AI in Business Analytics, specialising in generative AI for marketing in micro‑sized businesses.
His doctoral work is focused on building the first academically grounded, practice‑ready framework that helps micro‑businesses adopt and adapt generative AI to create sustainable competitive advantage. Bear’s research bridges the gap between AI theory and boardroom execution, turning complex LLM capabilities into practical playbooks for founders, leadership teams, and technology partners.
Across roles in FTSE‑listed environmental services companies and boutique consultancies, Bear has delivered step‑change improvements in revenue growth, client retention, and marketing performance. He is recognised for designing data‑driven growth engines, AI‑infused digital strategies, and CRM and marketing automation architectures that lift conversion and reduce manual work.
As Chief Growth Officer and Director of IT and Media Sales at The Thrivology Company and Femmeprenista, he leads cross‑functional teams, blending commercial strategy, AI innovation, and creative execution to support SMEs and female founders in building scalable, sustainable businesses. His leadership style is grounded in clarity, empathy, and high accountability, shaped by years of managing diverse teams and balancing executive responsibilities with academic research.
Based in Bedfordshire in the UK, Bear is a hands‑on dad to seven children, with an eighth on the way, and is deeply motivated by building a future‑proof legacy for his family and the founders he serves. He combines lived experience of juggling family life, entrepreneurship, and intensive research with a practical, human‑centred approach to technology and change.
Open to international opportunities, Bear is particularly interested in roles that sit at the intersection of growth leadership, AI‑driven transformation, and executive strategy, including global or remote‑first positions. He is available to engage in new full‑time or fractional leadership opportunities from July 2026.
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Defining the organization's macro-strategy and translating it into actionable goals. Orchestrating cross-functional teams to align global sales markets with emerging trends.
Directing P&L and driving revenue through data-driven acquisition. Achieved a 15% uplift in lead-to-sale conversion by overhauling the sales ecosystem and implementing marketing automation.
Engineering scalable CRM/Martech stacks to reduce manual workflows by 20%. Integrating proprietary Generative AI research to automate client engagement and personalize outreach at scale, significantly boosting operational efficiency.
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Devised and implemented a new account management structure and client database, fundamentally shifting how the region managed retention and service delivery.
Developed data analytics frameworks to automate performance reporting, empowering senior leadership with real-time decision-making capabilities regarding budget and trends.
Successfully increased client retention by 34% year-on-year by proactively managing account profitability and resolving complex service challenges for high-value stakeholders.
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Generated £2.1m in new annualized revenue within nine months by executing targeted enterprise growth strategies and converting market analysis into high-value contracts.
Led digital adoption projects that improved the customer experience (CX) journey and significantly reduced process inefficiencies within the client portfolio.
Negotiated complex, profitable contracts, aligning commercial outcomes with aggressive environmental sustainability goals and compliance requirements.
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Identified and secured new business through strategic tendering and presentation, expanding the client base in a highly competitive market.
Managed relationships with high-profile clients (e.g., Costco), ensuring service delivery exceeded expectations to secure long-term loyalty and contract renewals.
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Led the renegotiation of "low net earning" contracts and secured non-contracted revenue, directly increasing depot and account profitability.
Achieved the highest retention scores in the region by diagnosing systemic service failures and implementing corrective operational protocols.
Bridged the gap between commercial promises and operational realities, coordinating directly with depot teams to ensure service delivery matched SLA commitments.
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Delivered £415k in new revenue within the first year by identifying untapped sectors and executing targeted prospecting campaigns.
Championed the early adoption of CRM systems, training team members and establishing data-driven sales protocols that became standard practice.
Led the compilation of complex proposals and tenders, securing long-term contracts with commercial clients through consultative selling.
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Oversaw all aspects of branch operations, including inventory control, banking administration, and visual merchandising standards.
Mentored sales staff and supervisors, fostering a high-performance culture that consistently met aggressive corporate sales targets.
Managed complex customer service escalations and post-sales disputes, protecting brand reputation and customer loyalty.
Generated new revenue within nine months by executing targeted enterprise growth strategies at SUEZ.
Achieved through the design & implementation of a transformational account management framework at Biffa.
Delivered via CRM & marketing automation system transformation at Thrivology.
Specialising in AI Marketing Applications. Researching Generative AI adoption in micro-businesses ("Generative AI Adaptation Paradox"). Full Scholarship Recipient.
Specialisation in Marketing. Graduated top of cohort with Distinction.
Graduated with First Class Honours.
