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PROVEN TRANSFORMATION RESULTS

When Strategy Meets Execution,
Transformation Actually Happens

From FTSE 100 enterprises to PE-backed businesses preparing for exit—
here's what happens when operational excellence becomes reality.

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TRUSTED BY LEADERSHIP TEAMS AT

Transformation Stories That Deliver

Real businesses. Real constraints. Real results.

Adler & Allan PE-Backed Legal & Compliance Transformation

Led a post‑acquisition reset of legal & compliance operations — delivering board‑ready clarity, aligned governance, and investor confidence.

See full case study

Individual Restaurants — Operating Model Audit

Delivered a full audit of the operating model across 33 sites in just 3 weeks — uncovering hidden friction, clarifying roles, and defined how to align strategy to execution.

see case study

Hear Directly from Leaders

Why they chose to work with me—and what changed

 

“Codie is a sought-after leader who drives complex change with energy, positivity and sharp execution. A real asset for any firm adapting at pace.”
David Potts, former Morrisons CEO, testimonial for Codie James
David Potts
Former CEO | Morrisons
“Codie designed and delivered two national transformations…creative, diligent and utterly dependable.”
Jayne Wall, M&S Operations Director, transformation testimonial
Jayne Wall
operations director | M&S
“Codie’s dynamic and positive approach, allowed a rapid deep dive into our organisation, providing clear insights and actionable priorities.”
David Carroll, Individual Restaurants, leadership alignment testimonial
David Carroll
Chief Business Officer | Individual Restaurants
"Codie’s people-first approach brought clarity, structure. She deliver a programme stood up to board-level scrutiny.”
Anne Blakey, Adler and Allan, operating model testimonial
Anne Blakey
Legal Counsel | Adler & Allan
“Codie combines sharp commercial insight and customer focus with infectious energy and curiosity — a recipe for success.”
Charlotte Dewhurst, Matalan Marketing Director, testimonial
Charlotte Dewhurst
Director of Marketing | Matalan
“Codie was my Executive Coach…professional, insightful and success-orientated in style.”
Chris Wayne-Wills, Crerar Hotels CEO, executive coaching testimonial
Chris Wayne-Wills
CEO, Crerar Hotels
“Her hands-on, lived-experience coaching gave me the confidence and focus to navigate a critical career transition.”
Rob Harrison
Founder | RHH Group
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Let's explore what that looks like for your business.

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Case Study 1

PE-Backed Legal & Compliance Transformation

Adler & Allan | Legal Operating Model Uplift & Compliance Programme Design

Client Context

In April 2024, Goldman Sachs Alternatives acquired a majority stake in Adler & Allan from Sun European Partners — completing the deal in August 2024.

Adler & Allan (c. £300M revenue) is the UK’s leading environmental risk-reduction specialist, partnering with major utility, energy, water and public-sector clients. Under Sun European (2020–2024), the group doubled in size and launched a new Water Services division — laying strong foundations for the next phase of growth.

As part of its strategic evolution, Adler & Allan appointed an in-house Legal Counsel to shape a forward-looking Legal & Compliance function — one capable of scaling with the business and aligned with the expectations of sophisticated PE investors.

Strategic Priorities

  • Elevated Governance Expectations — Align compliance uplift with PE governance standards while supporting day-to-day delivery.
  • Clarity Across Teams — Define clear roles and decision rights across Legal, Compliance, Operations, and the Executive.
  • Operating Model Foundations — Create a principle-based Target Operating Model (TOM) for long-term scalability.
  • Capability & Culture Shift — Equip the team with clarity, frameworks, and a confident narrative for investor environments.

Approach Taken

  1. Stakeholder Alignment: Defined success measures, investor expectations, and scope through structured working sessions.
  2. Legal & Compliance Discovery:
    • Held stakeholder interviews across teams.
    • Mapped current state pain points and capacity.
    • Developed a RACI matrix for ownership and escalation.
  3. Capacity vs Scope Mapping: Identified resource gaps vs operational risk tolerance and investor demands.
  4. Compliance Uplift Programme Design:
    • Created a board-facing roadmap including TOM principles, phased KPIs, and enablement priorities.
    • Outlined clear policies and workflows in collaboration with external counsel.
  5. Executive & Investor Engagement: Led board sign-off sessions and recorded a short-form video to present outcomes and roadmap.

The Outcome

✔️ Board-Aligned Strategy: Endorsed compliance roadmap and operating model by executive and investor board.

✔️ Functional Clarity: Empowered Legal Counsel with tools, ownership maps, and investor-ready confidence.

✔️ Scale-Ready Framework: Blueprint enabled future capability buildout, hiring, and execution strategy.

“Codie’s people-first approach brought clarity, structure and pace to a thinly stretched team. She helped us to cut through the noise at pace and to deliver a programme stood up to board-level scrutiny.”
— Anne Blakey, Legal Counsel, Adler & Allan

Case Study 1

Individual Restaurants | Scale–Smarter Diagnostic™

From audit to action: redesigning regional leadership & enablement for scalable growth

Context

Individual Restaurants operates premium UK dining brands across 33 sites with ~£76m turnover. After record results and a Sunday Times Best Places to Work accolade, the group set a bold three-year plan to grow sites and formats. To scale with consistency while protecting brand standards, the exec team commissioned a Scale–Smarter Diagnostic™ focused on the regional leadership and enablement model. 

Stage 1 — The Diagnostic 

A fast, three-week review combining executive workshops, data analysis, colleague listening, and benchmarking revealed high commitment but constrained capability. Regional and central teams needed clearer roles, stronger feedback loops, and better tools to drive scalable performance. 

Outputs: 

  • Six-minute insight film capturing authentic frontline perspectives 
  • Board-grade report with a prioritised four-step roadmap 
  • Regional Enablement Health Map clarifying roles, rhythms, and interfaces 

“Codie’s dynamic and positive approach, allowed a rapid deep dive into our organisation, providing clear insights and actionable priorities.”
— David Carroll, Chief Business Officer, Individual Restaurants

Stage 2 — Operating Model Redesign 

A follow-on sprint translated insight into a practical model — including a commercial case for change, future-state org design, regional design principles, and an Enablement Blueprint built on five pillars: Clear Roles | Tools to Lead Well | Rhythm & Ways of Working | Performance & Recognition | Leadership Growth & Support — plus a phased implementation roadmap. 

Results 

  • Exec alignment on the regional model required for scale 
  • Approved case for change and roadmap ready to execute 
  • Ownership established with the Ops Director leading next steps

“Three weeks to surface the truth. Six weeks to design the solution. From alignment to action.”

See how the Diagnostic works →