Locke Gilmour

Practical Business Improvements

In my role as Business Agility Coach at PBI, I partner directly with clients to embed sustainable improvement through Lean and Agile methodologies. I focus on enabling behavioural and cultural change, building internal capability, and extending business agility across organisations.

I have delivered complex, high-impact transformation projects across the Energy and FMCG sectors, with experience working in diverse environments including production factories, corporate offices, and offshore platforms.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:
- Facilitate Kaizen Events, Value Stream Mapping sessions, and Agile workshops across operational and support functions.
- Support cultural transformation, visual management rollouts, and daily performance routines to build Continuous Improvement capability.
- Co-designed and led the accreditation of two international training programmes: Lean Practitioner (SCQF Level 7) and Business Transformation (SCQF Level 9), delivered across the UK and internationally.

Highlighted Projects:

FMCG Food Manufacturing Client:
•	£877k/year saving through production giveaway (yield) improvements
•	£480k/year reduction in factory waste
•	£171k/year saved through optimised pallet movements
•	Stage & Gate process implemented for NPD
•	Contributed to the client’s most profitable years in over a century

Oil & Gas Offshore (North Sea):
•	35%+ increase in stock accuracy through 5S/stock check campaigns
•	£1.35M in stock returned to circulation
•	£390k in corrected stock directly impacting planned work
•	39 improvement opportunities identified in material management

Oil & Gas Onshore:
•	Reduced break-in hours to Maintenance Plan
•	40 hours/week saved via offshore transfer of Work Preparation
•	Reinstated Technical Assistance role, freeing up 30% of time
•	8% time reduction for Material Controllers via improved processes

Business Agility Coach

I joined PBI as a Lean Coach during the pandemic, transitioning straight from university into a hands-on role focused on business improvement and internal capability building.

My first year involved an intensive training programme covering Lean and Agile methodologies, including Workplace Organisation (5S), Campaign Rooms, Daily Huddles, Kaizen Events, Visual Management, and Agile workshop design. I quickly progressed from internal training to supporting live client delivery.

I contributed to the digitisation of PBI’s delivery model, transforming previously in-person workshops and coaching sessions into fully remote formats. This shift increased client reach and flexibility, especially for geographically dispersed teams.

In this role, I supported the early delivery of Kaizen Events and improvement workshops, applying structured problem-solving and Lean tools to identify and remove waste, enhance team communication, and build a culture of continuous improvement.

Lean Coach

Impactara Ltd

Alongside working for PBI, I also work for one of their partnered companies, Impactara Ltd, on a part-time basis. Impactara is made up of Improvement Coaches who have a passion for helping purpose-led organisations. Over the past year, I have used my training in Lean and Agile ways of working to help Social Enterprises, Charities and Community Interest Companies improve their business in a variety of ways. 

It has been an especially rewarding experience working with a wide range of businesses as doing some work on a pro-bono or pay-it-forward model means everyone has the opportunity to benefit from the services.

Improvement Coach

I’m a Business Agility Coach with five years’ experience working across start-ups, SMEs, and global organisations in the energy, manufacturing, and production sectors. My passion is helping teams find better, smarter ways of working through Lean, Agile, and continuous improvement methods—whether that means streamlining processes, cutting waste, or boosting engagement.

I’ve seen first-hand how meaningful transformation can be, most notably helping Walkers Shortbread achieve significant cost savings and guiding TotalEnergies to optimise their offshore operations. Beyond the numbers, what truly motivates me is seeing people feel empowered to experiment, adapt, and celebrate their successes together.

Professionally, I hold a Master’s degree in Oil and Gas Enterprise Management (Distinction and ‘Best Student’) from the University of Aberdeen, and I’m a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. My focus on continuous improvement extends to my own development—I’m always on the lookout for new learning opportunities to keep pace with industry developments.

If you’d like to connect or explore how Lean and Agile could help your organisation, feel free to drop me a message here or email me at locke.gilmour@pbi-ltd.co.uk. 

I’m always keen to share ideas and help teams discover what’s possible when people work together towards a common goal.

I have since progressed my role within PBI to Business Agility Coach. The role involves working directly with clients on a day-to-day basis, applying the principles of agile development through the use of proven frameworks and methodologies to issues highlighted by the client. Behavioural and cultural change is the long-term goal here, extending the ‘business agility mindset’ across an entire organisation.

Over the past few years, I’ve been lucky enough to work with multinational clients on a number of interesting and varied projects in work environments varying from offices to offshore platforms to production factories! These first-hand experiences have been invaluable to my development within the Business Improvement industry.

I've been able to use this experience, coupled with my own personal development surrounding Lean & Agile methodologies, to improve Workplace Organisation, Visual Management, Employee Engagement and help build a culture of Continuous Improvement across several businesses and industries.

Sample projects delivered:

- Offshore 5S / Stock Check Events: Lead Coach facilitating multiple offshore events offshore on North Sea assets. Improvements included; increase in stock accuracy of 35%+, £1.35M value of stock returned to circulation both on- and offshore, £390k corrected stock directly impacting planned work and 39 opportunities surrounding material management process identified and defined for suggested improvements.

- Shortbread Production: Improvements focussed on Factory Waste, Giveaway, Production Throughput & Labelling.

- Offshore Operational (Maintenance) Planning: Co-facilitated large event with 17 Off- & Onshore personnel. Facilitated the delivery of a reduction in break-in hours to Maintenance Plan, 40 hours saved per week through transfer of Work Preparation to Offshore Team, Re-introduction of previous Technical Assistance role to gain back 30% of time focused on non-technical responsibilities.

Sarah Macaulay

Walker's Shortbread Ltd.

- Global commercial growth potential for Walker's shortbread: lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive Brand Strategy spanning Digital, Experiential and traditional Marketing activities - with a structured roadmap for implementation 
- Marketing Function: established a global Marketing function, and company-wide development of Consumer and Marketing skillsets
- Change Agenda: supported the cultural shift to being a brand-led business
- Brand Transformation: rejuvenating and repositioning an iconic, heritage brand
- Innovation: created innovation pipeline and capability, delivering against new consumption and demand moments
- Range & Channel Management: range rationalisation & optimisation, launched Channel exclusive ranges (Global Travel Retail & Grocery)

Head Of Marketing

Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival Ltd

Board Member at the Spirit of Speyside; supporting the festival's development and growth ambitions

Board Director 

The Hoxby Collective

Award-winning, curated global community of over 1000+ members, united by our belief that work should work for you, and be a fulfilling part of life

Business Director / Associate 

Beam Suntory

International Marketing Director for Scotch, Irish and Japanese Whisky
Managing diverse team across multiple sites / countries
Brand Strategy, Budget Management, Product Innovation, Communications, Brand Visitor Centres and Agency Roster

International Marketing Director

William Grant & Sons

Managing Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky across the whole of Europe, Russia, the CIS, the Middle East and Africa.  Also managing global Brand Identity, Brand Communications and Advertising.  

Led Visual Identity project for Glenfiddich, which embeds the brand in the world of luxury and supports delivery of its strategic premiumisation objectives.  
Glenfiddich Visual Identity: 
www.thedrinksreport.com/news/2014/15730-case-study-glenfiddich-global-identity.html


Development and launch of a new luxury eCommerce platform for Glenfiddich called Glenfiddich Gallery.  
www.glenfiddichgallery.com
This luxury e-commerce malt whisky website that allows malt drinkers and gifters to create their own, personalised and bespoke Glenfiddich.  
Glenfiddich Gallery: 
www.thedrum.com/news/2014/11/24/glenfiddich-draws-inspiration-its-malt-master-glenfiddich-gallery-luxury-e-commerce


Talks & Appearances: The Drinks Symposium - new feature at this year’s Packaging Innovations show being held at the NEC, Birmingham on 25 – 26 February.
www.thedrinksreport.com/news/2015/15824-special-report-packaging-innovations-preview.html


Recently completed MBA with Distinction - the MBA specialised in Luxury Brand marketing, Entrepreneurship and Family Business.  
Final project was an internal management consultancy project for William Grant & Sons and looked at how the company could create, build and sustain a truly luxury spirits business

Global Marketing Manager

Corporate Strategy 
• Thought-partnership, data-modelling and presentation work with internal stakeholders on corporate strategy initiatives for the WG&S business and senior executives

Business Development 
• Evaluate competitive landscape in the market and identify areas of growth for WG&S
• Monitoring emerging trends in Spirits and alcoholic drinks – from new distribution platforms, business models, and emerging geographies.  Synthesise these findings and implications to appropriate internal stakeholders across the WG&S business.  Connecting strategic market intelligence to identification of opportunities for the business
• Decision-making – using data analysis and reporting to drive decision making across the business.  Having a fact-based point on view on major players in the drinks industry
• Analyse opportunities for WG&S in new segments – from both a quantitative and qualitative view-point
• Support in commercial deals and other transactions with internal stakeholders – including Legal, Finance, and Business Units
• Route to Market (RTM) / Distributor analysis – collaborate with the Commercial teams to help optimise RTM control
• Preparation of material for key senior management meetings (e.g. for the CEO, Supervisory Board, Exec Committee, Analyst meetings etc)
• Strong management consulting skills to influence strategic plans - use of analytical and problem-solving skills

Corporate Development and M&A 
• Identify and research opportunities for WG&S to further distinguish its premium positioning
• Innovation

Business Strategy & Development Manager

Global Planning Manager at William Grant &amp; Sons.
Responsible for all research and planning for all Malt Whisky globally - covering Glenfiddich and The Balvenie.
Also responsible for research and planning for Hendrick's Gin globally.

Planning Manager

Scottish & Newcastle

Edinburgh, Scotland

Responsible for the planning and research programme for Kronenbourg 1664, San Miguel & Baltika.

Consumer Insight & Planning Manager, Premium Lagers

Kimberly-Clark

Sydney, Australia on WHV (working holiday visa)

Market and promotional sales analysis for all Kimberly-Clark brands in Australia.

Sales & Marketing Analyst (Contract)

ACNielsen

Sydney, Australia with WHV (working holiday visa)

Account Planning & Client Servicing – responsible for managing a number of FMCG accounts as well as providing support across different categories

Account Manager (Contract)

Westpac Bank

Sydney, Australia on WHV (working holiday visa)

Contract position covering the analysis of the ‘Greenwich Financial Services Surveys’, banking and financial services marketing data.  The design and management of marketing and financial reports based on the Greenwich data

Market Research Analyst (Contract)

Cadbury

Dublin, Ireland

 - Category Management – using Key Account Data (KAD) to streamline the Category Management process and to evolve planning at both a category and national level
 - Account Management – providing an on-going strategic and tactical vision for their Confectionery category
 - Consumer Research – using qualitative and quantitative market research to generate consumer insight and to gain a better understanding of both brand & category dynamics

Category Analyst

MBA-qualified Commercial Marketing and Insight Professional with International experience from global companies.
25 years in Marketing, Planning and Strategy roles.  Consistent delivery of outstanding brand positioning and creative work, resulting in successful and innovative communications and commercial plans.  Focused on delivering brand growth through strategic planning, strong brand management and consumer insight.  Excellent communication, influencing and analytical skills. 

Achieved MBA with Distinction - specialising in Luxury Brand Management, Entrepreneurship and Family Business
MBA project was internal consultancy for WG&S: "Building a luxury business and luxury brand marketing"

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Locke Gilmour

Sarah Macaulay

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