BUSINESS DIRECTOR

Business Director Mark Harris is an accomplished innovation and change-management professional delivering inspired innovation solutions for organisations across a variety of industries.

INSPIRED INNOVATION
3

BUSINESS DIRECTOR

Business Director Mark Harris is an accomplished innovation and change-management professional delivering inspired innovation solutions for organisations across a variety of industries.

INSPIRED INNOVATION
3

At his happiest when managing the uncertainty associated with new and unusual challenges, Mark combines finely tuned commercial and business awareness with deep technical expertise and high order corporate communication skills. He is renowned for his ability to turn new ideas and concepts into delivered solutions for clients.

BUSINESS DIRECTOR

Business Director Mark Harris is an accomplished innovation and change-management professional delivering inspired innovation solutions for organisations across a variety of industries.

INSPIRED INNOVATION
3

At his happiest when managing the uncertainty associated with new and unusual challenges, Mark combines finely tuned commercial and business awareness with deep technical expertise and high order corporate communication skills. He is renowned for his ability to turn new ideas and concepts into delivered solutions for clients.

Schaerer AG
January 2018 – November 2018
Breakthrough
Product
Management
The Schaerer Premium Coffee Corner is a barista quality Espresso coffee vending solution featuring a 32 inch touch display with intuitive user guidance, Schaerer’s state-of-the-art Best Foam™ fresh milk foaming technology and the flexibility to produce a wide variety of attractive coffee drinks.
After 5 years, where the Coffee Corner had remained little more than a proposal, Mark was brought in to drive the concept forward to a go-to-market product. 8 months later, the Schaerer Premium Coffee Corner was being trialled around the world by major national and global brands and it is now set for manufacture.
To product in use by customers
Download Case Study
Drawing on resources developed over many years of successful Formula 1 motor racing, McLaren was developing new business initiatives in the automotive, transport and medical fields, but lack of clear delivery planning had led to some quality and delivery issues.
In a period of 10 months, Mark utilised his expertise and background in project and programme management in complex environments to resolve technical issues, streamline the company’s new business initiatives and establish a clear plan for the future.
Comprehensive 5 year resource and skills plan
Download Case Study
McLaren Applied Technologies
March 2017 – December 2017
Consultancy in Analytics, Smart Data and High Performance Electronics
Costa Express
September 2015 – August 2016
Innovative
Product
Management
Costa Coffee, the UK’s largest and fastest-growing coffee shop business, needed a technical development leader to overcome the challenge of developing its next generation Costa Express gourmet vending machine.
Taking a strong lead, Mark oversaw a process of research and development, leading to the innovation of a new concept which was able to meet the varying demands of its clientele, and which could also be produced at significantly lower cost.

%

Cheaper product cost
Download Case Study
The technical team responsible for the development of Costa Coffee’s gourmet coffee concessions had run into difficulties and needed new leadership.
Mark’s new leadership led to the successful roll-out of two new gourmet coffee concessions and a multitude of technical upgrades.

%

Less smart card payment charges
Download Case Study
Costa Express
September 2014 – August 2015
Taking charge of technical development
Novartis
September 2012 – September 2014
Systems
Project
Management
Basel-based pharmaceutical giant Novartis was exploring Telehealth – developing a new digital health system to improve patient outcomes at home.
Mark was a senior manager on the technical development side of the company’s new system, to ensure delivery of the project on target.
Regulatory compliance documents

Risk management processes

Safety reporting controls

Download Case Study
Venture capital financed Talaris, a global provider of equipment for automatically handling and processing cash, was looking for an exit in two years.
Mark Harris oversaw the complete development of a new signature cash-handling product for the front of house banking sector which then enabled Talaris to be sold to Glory Global Solutions for a premium price.
Budget delivered
Download Case Study
Talaris
December 2010 – September 2012
Programme Director
Chas A Blatchford & Sons
August 2008 – June 2009
International
General
Manager
World leading rehabilitation provider Chas A Blatchford & Sons was looking into manufacturing prosthetic products in China for the Chinese market.
Mark was brought in to carry out a feasibility study that would grow company understanding of the Chinese market, seek Board approval to set up a prosthetic manufacturing operation in China and kick off the China operation.
Business startup China
Download Case Study
As a quality modern vehicle, BMW’s Mini contained many high-tech electronic components, but lack of space in the vehicle had created serious heat convection issues.
With overall responsibility for thermal and packaging solutions, Mark devised a way of mounting the electronics which delivered 6 times the amount of heat dissipation than had originally been envisaged, with 50% reduction in space required for electronics.

%

Less required electronics space
Download Case Study
Motorola
1998 – 2002
Technical Group Leader
Schaerer AG
January 2018 – November 2018
Breakthrough
Product
Management
The Schaerer Premium Coffee Corner is a barista quality Espresso coffee vending solution featuring a 32 inch touch display with intuitive user guidance, Schaerer’s state-of-the-art Best Foam™ fresh milk foaming technology and the flexibility to produce a wide variety of attractive coffee drinks.
After 5 years, where the Coffee Corner had remained little more than a proposal, Mark was brought in to drive the concept forward to a go-to-market product. 8 months later, the Schaerer Premium Coffee Corner was being trialled around the world by major national and global brands and it is now set for manufacture.
To product in use by customers
Download Case Study
March 2017 – December 2017
McLaren Applied Technologies
Consultancy in Analytics, Smart Data and High Performance Electronics
Drawing on resources developed over many years of successful Formula 1 motor racing, McLaren was developing new business initiatives in the automotive, transport and medical fields, but lack of clear delivery planning had led to some quality and delivery issues.
In a period of 10 months, Mark utilised his expertise and background in project and programme management in complex environments to resolve technical issues, streamline the company’s new business initiatives and establish a clear plan for the future.
Comprehensive 5 year resource and skills plan
Download Case Study
Costa Express
September 2015 – August 2016
Innovative
Product
Management
Costa Coffee, the UK’s largest and fastest-growing coffee shop business, needed a technical development leader to overcome the challenge of developing its next generation Costa Express gourmet vending machine.
Taking a strong lead, Mark oversaw a process of research and development, leading to the innovation of a new concept which was able to meet the varying demands of its clientele, and which could also be produced at significantly lower cost.

%

Cheaper product cost

Download Case Study
Costa Express
September 2014 – August 2015
Taking charge of technical development
The technical team responsible for the development of Costa Coffee’s gourmet coffee concessions had run into difficulties and needed new leadership.
Mark’s new leadership led to the successful roll-out of two new gourmet coffee concessions and a multitude of technical upgrades.

%

Less smart card payment charges

Download Case Study
Novartis
September 2012 – September 2014
Systems
Project
Management
Basel-based pharmaceutical giant Novartis was exploring Telehealth – developing a new digital health system to improve patient outcomes at home.
Mark was a senior manager on the technical development side of the company’s new system, to ensure delivery of the project on target.
Regulatory compliance documents
Risk management processes
Safety reporting controls
Download Case Study
Talaris
December 2010 – September 2012
Programme Director
Venture capital financed Talaris, a global provider of equipment for automatically handling and processing cash, was looking for an exit in two years.
Mark Harris oversaw the complete development of a new signature cash-handling product for the front of house banking sector which then enabled Talaris to be sold to Glory Global Solutions for a premium price.
Budget delivered
Download Case Study
Chas A Blatchford & Sons
August 2008 – June 2009
International
General
Manager
World leading rehabilitation provider Chas A Blatchford & Sons was looking into manufacturing prosthetic products in China for the Chinese market.
Mark was brought in to carry out a feasibility study that would grow company understanding of the Chinese market, seek Board approval to set up a prosthetic manufacturing operation in China and kick off the China operation.
Business startup China
Download Case Study
Motorola
1998 – 2002
Technical Group Leader
As a quality modern vehicle, BMW’s Mini contained many high-tech electronic components, but lack of space in the vehicle had created serious heat convection issues.
With overall responsibility for thermal and packaging solutions, Mark devised a way of mounting the electronics which delivered 6 times the amount of heat dissipation than had originally been envisaged, with 50% reduction in space required for electronics.

%

Less required electronics space

Download Case Study
Schaerer AG
January 2018 – November 2018
Breakthrough
Product
Management
The Schaerer Premium Coffee Corner is a barista quality Espresso coffee vending solution featuring a 32 inch touch display with intuitive user guidance, Schaerer’s state-of-the-art Best Foam™ fresh milk foaming technology and the flexibility to produce a wide variety of attractive coffee drinks.
After 5 years, where the Coffee Corner had remained little more than a proposal, Mark was brought in to drive the concept forward to a go-to-market product. 8 months later, the Schaerer Premium Coffee Corner was being trialled around the world by major national and global brands and it is now set for manufacture.

To product in use by customers

Download Case Study
McLaren Applied Technologies
March 2017 – December 2017
Consultancy in Analytics, Smart Data and High Performance Electronics
Drawing on resources developed over many years of successful Formula 1 motor racing, McLaren was developing new business initiatives in the automotive, transport and medical fields, but lack of clear delivery planning had led to some quality and delivery issues.
In a period of 10 months, Mark utilised his expertise and background in project and programme management in complex environments to resolve technical issues, streamline the company’s new business initiatives and establish a clear plan for the future.

Comprehensive 5 year resource and skills plan

Download Case Study
Costa Express
September 2015 – August 2016
Innovative
Product
Management
Costa Coffee, the UK’s largest and fastest-growing coffee shop business, needed a technical development leader to overcome the challenge of developing its next generation Costa Express gourmet vending machine.
Taking a strong lead, Mark oversaw a process of research and development, leading to the innovation of a new concept which was able to meet the varying demands of its clientele, and which could also be produced at significantly lower cost.

%

Cheaper product cost

Download Case Study
Costa Express
September 2014 – August 2015
Taking charge of technical development
The technical team responsible for the development of Costa Coffee’s gourmet coffee concessions had run into difficulties and needed new leadership.
Mark’s new leadership led to the successful roll-out of two new gourmet coffee concessions and a multitude of technical upgrades.

%

Less smart card payment charges

Download Case Study
Novartis
September 2012 – September 2014
Systems Project Management
Basel-based pharmaceutical giant Novartis was exploring Telehealth – developing a new digital health system to improve patient outcomes at home.
Mark was a senior manager on the technical development side of the company’s new system, to ensure delivery of the project on target.

Regulatory compliance documents
Risk management processes
Safety reporting controls

Download Case Study
Talaris
December 2010 – September 2012
Programme Director
Venture capital financed Talaris, a global provider of equipment for automatically handling and processing cash, was looking for an exit in two years.
Mark Harris oversaw the complete development of a new signature cash-handling product for the front of house banking sector which then enabled Talaris to be sold to Glory Global Solutions for a premium price.

Budget delivered

Download Case Study
Chas A Blatchford & Sons
August 2008 – June 2009
International General Manager
World leading rehabilitation provider Chas A Blatchford & Sons was looking into manufacturing prosthetic products in China for the Chinese market.
Mark was brought in to carry out a feasibility study that would grow company understanding of the Chinese market, seek Board approval to set up a prosthetic manufacturing operation in China and kick off the China operation.

Business startup China

Download Case Study
Motorola
1998 – 2002
Technical Group Leader
As a quality modern vehicle, BMW’s Mini contained many high-tech electronic components, but lack of space in the vehicle had created serious heat convection issues.
With overall responsibility for thermal and packaging solutions, Mark devised a way of mounting the electronics which delivered 6 times the amount of heat dissipation than had originally been envisaged, with 50% reduction in space required for electronics.

%

Less required electronics space

Download Case Study
“Selecting and leading a bespoke team of expert suppliers and consultants he revolutionised the appearance, user interface and drink offer of those concessions while maintaining a clear link back to the existing platform.”
Nick Orrin, Operations Director Global, Costa Express
“His work covered the development of a number of new and complex medical devices including computers, sensor, clinical software and patient / investigator user interfaces.”
Dominik Ziegler, Project Leader, Novartis Pharma
“His team delivered numerous key projects for the business during his tenure and Mark delivered, in particular, a 60% reduction in charges for smart card payments, a powder chocolate drinks module with 30% reduction in cost, a completely new system for managing waste coffee grounds and a regulatory compliant concession for North America.”
Nick Orrin, Operations Director Global, Costa Express
“The programme was complex and covered multiple different functions across many countries. Mark was able to coordinate the work across this diverse group and ensure that the programme remained on track.”
Dean Shaw, Group Operations Strategic Director, Talaris
“Mark demonstrated extremely good technical ability and judgement, superb supplier management and liaison and excellent cost awareness and control.”
Nick Orrin, Operations Director Global, Costa Express
“His ability to establish business value from technical initiatives is extremely good and his focus, drive and charm ensures that his teams, whether internal or external, deliver projects as expected.”
Scott Martin, Founder, Costa Express/Coffee Nation
“He even moved between the key locations (UK, Switzerland and China) to ensure that there was an excellent level of communication across all areas of the programme.”
Dean Shaw, Group Operations Strategic Director, Talaris
“And his ability to communicate and empathise with the Senior Executive and the…organisation to share and agree direction has worked perfectly.”
Nick Orrin, Operations Director Global, Costa Express
“A key aspect of Mark’s expertise is his ability to work across various different functions (supply chain, marketing, engineering, etc.) and to be able to ensure that they work together in a productive manner.”
Dean Shaw, Group Operations Strategic Director, Talaris

NEWS

Brexit and UK Engineering (Part 4)

Brexit and UK Engineering (Part 4)

Managing uncertainty - the key to innovation success In my last article on Brexit and the UK engineering industry, I took a brief look at the vital role that innovation can play in ensuring ongoing success for the sector. This article continues the ‘innovation’ theme...

Omnichannel on the Inside

Omnichannel on the Inside

,

I'm pleased to be able to share this illuminating report on a recent conference hosted jointly by OCC and Microsoft on the important question of 'Omnichannel' and how retailers can take advantage of many different channels to create the ideal customer experience. This...

Brexit and UK Engineering (Part 3)

Brexit and UK Engineering (Part 3)

,

The vital role of innovation for UK engineering in a post-Brexit world In this, the third in my series of six pieces on the future of the UK’s engineering sector post-Brexit, I will be examining the vital role of innovation in preserving and developing the prosperity...

Brexit and UK Engineering (Part 2)

Brexit and UK Engineering (Part 2)

,

People and Skills: the second of 6 articles by Mark Harris on how UK engineering can prosper under Brexit. Introduction A key consideration when determining how Brexit will impact the engineering sector has to do with how we handle shared capital and labour as well as...

Brexit and UK Engineering (Part 1)

Brexit and UK Engineering (Part 1)

The first of a series of 6 articles exploring how the UK engineering sector might benefit from Britain's exit from the EU Introduction The issue of Brexit has profound implications for just about every aspect of British society. For the UK engineering sector, there...

The challenge of Brexit

The challenge of Brexit

Understandably, the prospect of Brexit is causing quite a few jitters in the world of business at the moment.

Brexit and UK Engineering (Part 4)

Brexit and UK Engineering (Part 4)

Managing uncertainty - the key to innovation success In my last article on Brexit and the UK engineering industry, I took a brief look at the vital role that innovation can play in ensuring ongoing success for the sector. This article continues the ‘innovation’ theme...

Omnichannel on the Inside

Omnichannel on the Inside

,

I'm pleased to be able to share this illuminating report on a recent conference hosted jointly by OCC and Microsoft on the important question of 'Omnichannel' and how retailers can take advantage of many different channels to create the ideal customer experience. This...

Brexit and UK Engineering (Part 3)

Brexit and UK Engineering (Part 3)

,

The vital role of innovation for UK engineering in a post-Brexit world In this, the third in my series of six pieces on the future of the UK’s engineering sector post-Brexit, I will be examining the vital role of innovation in preserving and developing the prosperity...

Brexit and UK Engineering (Part 2)

Brexit and UK Engineering (Part 2)

,

People and Skills: the second of 6 articles by Mark Harris on how UK engineering can prosper under Brexit. Introduction A key consideration when determining how Brexit will impact the engineering sector has to do with how we handle shared capital and labour as well as...

Brexit and UK Engineering (Part 1)

Brexit and UK Engineering (Part 1)

The first of a series of 6 articles exploring how the UK engineering sector might benefit from Britain's exit from the EU Introduction The issue of Brexit has profound implications for just about every aspect of British society. For the UK engineering sector, there...

The challenge of Brexit

The challenge of Brexit

Understandably, the prospect of Brexit is causing quite a few jitters in the world of business at the moment.

CONTACT

Mark Harris, 8 Pirton Close, St Albans, United Kingdom, AL4 9YJ.

E-mail: mark.harris@markharrisconsulting.co.uk
Skype: markalexharris
Telephone: +44 (0)7801 495699

© Mark Harris.
Registered in England as Mark Harris Consulting Ltd. Company number: 5209673.
VAT registration number: 935 1312 47. Registered office: 87a, High Street, The Old Town, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3AH.

© Mark Harris.
Registered in England as Mark Harris Consulting Ltd. Company number: 5209673.
VAT registration number: 935 1312 47. Registered office: 87a, High Street, The Old Town, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 3AH.