INDEPENDENT ADVICE
Alexander Partners is the independent consulting business of James Eteen. I help company owners and senior leaders in set direction and achieve competitive advantage.
In nearly three decades as a consultant and board advisor, I've helped clients access new markets, acquire disruptive innovators, turn around distressed assets and improve commercial performance.
As an external advisor, I'm able to provide owners and managers with a objective view of business performance. "Outside-in" challenge is essential in bringing clarity, highlighting market realities and helping clients decide on what should, and crucially what should not, be done.
I believe great strategy originates within the client organisation, whether corporate strategy that defines the shape of the business portfolio or competitive strategy that defines how to outperform peers.
My role as an advisor is to challenge the status quo, provoke critical discussion and contribute creative ideas. Ownership of the strategy that emerges needs to reside within the board, and this is best achieved if the board has created the strategy itself, embracing wider organisational input. A confident board can better make tough decisions and assess the risk/reward implications of shifting resources to activities that will achieve the company's new ambition.
ABOUT
James started his career at Andersen Consulting (Accenture) in 1996 where he advised global clients on strategy and operations across consumer goods, retail and technology sectors. James joined EY in 2005 to set up its new Advisory service line and was an equity partner and co-leader of the EY Strategy Practice in London.
James was awarded Strategy Consultant of the Year by MCA/The Times. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Consultants, a member of the Strategic Management Society.
As a Senior Teaching Fellow at Imperial Business School, James teaches Strategy and Management to postgraduate students across MSc and MBA programmes. Lectures include strategy, management, M&A and decision-making simulations. James is the director of the Imperial Strategy & Consulting Summer School. James received Teaching Excellence Awards from Imperial in 2020 and 2021.
Since 2023, James has been the Academic Director of the Masters in Management (MiM). You can learn more about the programme here. Prior to that he was the Deputy Director of the Imperial MBA. James has also been an Adjunct Professor and Visiting Lecturer at highly-ranked global business schools including Cambridge University's Judge Business School.
James is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and is a Certified Management and Business Educator, awarded by the Chartered Association of Business Schools.
WORKING TOGETHER
An initial engagement for a new client may be tackling a major business issue or exploring avenues for growth. I also provide one-to-one coaching for executives, particularly those newly appointed to overseeing a period of transformational change.
On a larger scale, I have provided training to a FTSE250 client strategy team, developing their structured thinking, analysis and communication skills to prepare them for the creation of a new channel strategy.
In all cases, I bring a combination of creative and pragmatic thinking, and a determination to help clients drive to a successful conclusion.
The best way to contact me to arrange an introduction is through LinkedIn messaging, and I would be happy to discussed your needs in confidence.
