Lauren Cole
London
Summary
Independent strategic consultant with a strong record of driving digital and retail transformation and operational excellence across global brands. As the sole operator of Adage House—I deliver high-impact, fixed-term engagements that support senior executives in strategic planning, project management, and board-level communications.
With extensive experience in change management, cross-functional leadership, and project deployment, I am excited to leverage my expertise through thoughtful leadership, E2E delivery and network support.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Independent Consultant – Adage House (Founder & Sole Director)
Adage House
03.2020 - Current
- Founded and solely operate a consulting firm specializing in fixed-term contract engagements with leading brands in FMCG, F&B, and retail sectors
- Delivered transformation projects that improved operational efficiency by up to 20% and drove revenue growth exceeding +12% YoY
- Developed change management strategies and board-level materials that reduced project turnaround times by 30%
- Built strong, trust-based relationships with senior stakeholders, securing key fixed-term contracts (including an assignment in Dubai)
Head of UK Portfolio – Starbucks Corp (Fixed-Term Contract)
Starbucks Corp
06.2024 - Current
- Developed portfolio management frameworks, business case creation, KPI management and executive presentations to support senior decision-making and OKRs'
- Lead Consultant in the closing and transition planning for UK Division largest acquisition of 23.5 Degrees in October 2024 (DD supported by KPMG)
- Key senior communicator to a wide range of senior stakeholders, working groups, and regions in product, technology, legal and regulatory, operations, finance, strategy, data and insights and marketing (‘shaping the message')
- Developing formative growth targets post 23.5 Degree merger using collaborative blending and programme management to drive operational, financial, and supply chain improvements for growth
Director of Portfolio Growth – Negma Investment Group (Fixed-Term Contract)
Negma Investment Group
03.2023 - 03.2024
- A direct report to Chairman for identifying new portfolios and establish priorities and opportunities for Group's 2030 targets
- Delivered customer planning targets and market analysis that improved portfolio performance by up to 15%
- Designed 5YR growth strategy for lifestyle portfolio and facilitated quarterly cross-functional planning sessions
- Prepared board-level materials to communicate complex strategies effectively
Director, CEO Projects – John Lewis & Partners (Fixed-Term Contract)
John Lewis & Partners
01.2021 - 03.2023
- Managed strategic projects for the CEO, achieving a +6% increase in operational income and reducing costs by 10%
- Co-developed omni-channel strategies and customer experience test and learns that enhanced customer engagement by +15%
- Supported the deployment of the JLP APP and launch of financial and retail services to customers
- Created a 4-week, 6-week and 12 week project flow process to engage marketing, digital, product and tech teams on 'the success momentum' needed in the business to gain +6% in FY 2021
Head of Global Planning and Design
FaceGym
03.2018 - 10.2020
- Managed a £5M CAPEX budget, achieving 15% cost savings through process improvements in store fit outs and market launch timing
- Worked alongside the CEO, CFO and Founder, Inge Theron to build a Go-To-Market strategy, omni-channel business plan and delivered (11) new markets in 12-months and increased digital engagement by +30
- Utilised external network to fast track revenue driven projects for CEO while developing innovation trials with Founder for new product lines and service tools
Store Planning and Design Director – UK & I
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
03.2016 - 03.2018
- Managed a Team of (25) designers, project managers, merchandisers, retail tech managers, and senior managers
- Improved merchandising efficiency by 12% while reducing project delivery times by 20% through standardized frameworks
- Opened UK first ‘Studio of Excellence’ and up-skilled PM team to manage digital transformation projects alongside Marketing and Global teams
- Enhanced digital and retail projects ahead of APAC delivery schedules, making UK Division a leader in operational excellence in ELC Group
Corporate Project Manager, Travel Retail EMEA
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
03.2013 - 03.2016
- Managed project budgets up to £20M and promoted within 12 months in role
- Successfully became certified in SAP Business Intelligence Analytics and trained (170) ELC employees on the SAP software in sales, merchandising and procurement
- Took an 18-month secondment role in Switzerland as a SAP data analyst with the Global Leadership Team to develop an operational/sales/merchandising data management process
Senior Global Account Manager
Dynamic Resources International Limited
05.2005 - 03.2013
- Coordinated over 400 projects to enhance brand visibility and support revenue growth in North America, Europe, Middle East, Russia and APAC regions
- Worked with Founder across (3) global offices on team improvements and sales targets for New York, London and Dublin offices
Education
Business Communication -
Suffolk University
Boston01.2005
SAP Professional Certification - BI
PRINCE2 Agile Foundation -
Skills
- Strategic Transformation Consultant Services
- Executive and Board-level Communication
- Project & Programme Management
- Change Management & Process Optimization
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Risk Mitigation & Data-Driven Analysis
- Innovation Management
- Performance Benchmarking
- Organizational Development
- Training and Team Development
- Transformative Leadership
- CEO Projects
Interests And Industry Transition
Passionate about leveraging my consulting expertise and innovative mindset in new industries. Eager to learn industry-specific processes and contribute fresh perspectives to a dynamic organization with an entrepreneurial spirit for growth.
Timeline
Head of UK Portfolio – Starbucks Corp (Fixed-Term Contract)
Starbucks Corp
06.2024 - Current
Director of Portfolio Growth – Negma Investment Group (Fixed-Term Contract)
Negma Investment Group
03.2023 - 03.2024
Director, CEO Projects – John Lewis & Partners (Fixed-Term Contract)
John Lewis & Partners
01.2021 - 03.2023
Independent Consultant – Adage House (Founder & Sole Director)
Adage House
03.2020 - Current
Head of Global Planning and Design
FaceGym
03.2018 - 10.2020
Store Planning and Design Director – UK & I
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
03.2016 - 03.2018
Corporate Project Manager, Travel Retail EMEA
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
03.2013 - 03.2016
Senior Global Account Manager
Dynamic Resources International Limited
05.2005 - 03.2013
Business Communication -
Suffolk University
SAP Professional Certification - BI
PRINCE2 Agile Foundation -
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