Looking for a commercial leader who can drive your business forward?
I am an accomplished commercial leader with 15 years experience recruiting, training, developing and leading high performing sales, marketing, operations and strategic partnerships teams. I have scaled ambitious teams in the UK, USA, European, Asian and Australian markets.
My speciality is expansion strategy, taking local brands national and national brands international.
I am an active mentor to sales and marketing graduates, assisting them with career progression, soft skills and general guidance.
Sectors I have worked in:
Technology
SaaS
Professional Services
AdTech
Media
Logistics
Brands I have worked with:
DFS
Lidl
888.com
UK Government
HTC
McDonalds
Chanel
Porsche
Microsoft XBOX
Bank of America
As a mentor for the Chartered Institute of Marketing, I support marketing graduates and junior marketers in developing their skills, building confidence, and navigating their career paths. I provide practical guidance, industry insights, and professional development advice to help them achieve their goals and grow within the marketing profession.
As Commercial Director at Aston Shaw, I led a full brand transformation and revitalised the firm’s go-to-market strategy to drive growth and modernise its market presence. Key achievements include launching a strategic partnerships division and developing an outsourced go-to-market model to expand reach and enhance service delivery.
As a mentor, I supported marketing graduates in preparing for successful careers by providing guidance on CV writing, interview techniques, and essential soft skills. I helped individuals navigate their entry into the marketing sector with tailored advice and practical support to boost their confidence and employability.
I directed international commercial operations across USA, EMEA and APAC, managing high-value enterprise accounts and driving revenue growth through strategic campaign alignment and robust client management. I led cross-border contract negotiations, restructured account practices to boost retention and upsell rates, and built a high-performing team to deliver measurable results for global brands.
I led this fulfilment and logistics powerhouse's strategic expansion across Europe, building the commercial infrastructure and enterprise sales function to support scalable, cross-border growth. I introduced MEDDIC frameworks, enhanced CRM and marketing automation systems, and aligned commercial strategy with product and operations to boost sales velocity, pipeline quality, and client retention.
I spearheaded Big Mobile's market entry across Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia; introducing their AI‑driven Buddy platform to regional agency networks, enterprises, and brand stakeholders and tailoring go‑to‑market strategies to diverse regulatory and commercial landscapes. I built and led a high‑impact account management team, drove demand generation campaigns across key verticals such as media, automotive, and healthcare, and forged strategic partnerships that positioned the platform as a premium time‑based attention optimization solution in a competitive ecosystem.
I led a 100+ person commercial organisation across four continents, driving a 300% revenue increase by positioning the company as a premium provider of self-service kiosks and digital signage solutions. I secured multi-million-pound contracts across QSR, healthcare, retail, and banking sectors, redesigned the customer journey, and aligned go-to-market strategy with product innovation to expand market share and deepen client engagement globally.
Brought in on a short-term contract to support The Drum’s go-to-market strategy, I focused on developing strategic partnerships across events, digital marketing, and offline media. I helped expand commercial opportunities and deepen brand engagement by aligning partner offerings with The Drum’s audience and editorial strengths.
At this local estate and lettings agency, I led initiatives that elevated the agency’s profile and secured key contracts with the Scottish Government. By aligning marketing strategies with public sector requirements and enhancing client outreach, I helped drive business growth and strengthen credibility in a competitive property market.
I supported brands in developing and executing effective media strategies to drive growth across the UK. By optimising campaign planning and coordination, I helped enhance brand visibility and maximise return on media investments in a dynamic market.
At STV, a leading Scottish broadcaster and content producer renowned for its popular linear channel and free STV Player streaming service, I developed compelling advertising strategies and campaigns for a wide range of brands; leveraging STV’s extensive reach, award‑winning programming, and digital-first capabilities. My work brought brand messaging to life across television and digital platforms, helping clients engage STV’s robust audience base.
As part of the advertising team at ITV—Britain’s largest commercial broadcaster, I crafted compelling advertising strategies and campaigns across television and digital platforms. My work helped brands leverage ITV’s advanced solutions (like addressable advertising on ITVX and Planet V, and resources like ITV Hub and premium programming) to maximise reach, audience engagement, and campaign effectiveness.
Wondering how I can help solve your specific challenges?
Ability to develop and execute go-to-market strategies that drive scalable growth across diverse global markets.
Proven track record in leading high-performing sales teams, closing complex deals, and consistently exceeding revenue targets.
Expertise in forging and managing strategic alliances that enhance product offerings, distribution, and market presence.
Skilled at aligning sales, marketing, product, and operations teams to deliver cohesive commercial strategies and customer-centric solutions.
Proficiency in leveraging CRM, analytics, and sales enablement tools to optimize pipeline management, forecasting, and performance metrics.
Experience navigating rapid growth environments, implementing scalable processes, and fostering adaptable, growth-oriented cultures.
What clients say about working with me
"Zain's strategic approach to our go-to-market strategy was exceptional. He helped us scale from local to international markets in just 18 months, increasing our revenue by 300%."
"Working with Zain transformed our sales operations. His data-driven approach and team leadership skills helped us build a high-performing sales team that consistently exceeds targets."
"Zain's expertise in strategic partnerships opened doors we never knew existed. His network and negotiation skills secured partnerships that doubled our market reach."
"The mentorship and guidance Zain provided was invaluable. He helped us navigate complex international expansion challenges and regulatory requirements with confidence."
Common challenges I help businesses overcome
Discussing my thoughts on developments and supplying insight into industires we can expand you into!
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts.
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts.
Far far away, behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts.
Are you ready to transform your commercial strategy and accelerate growth?
Do you need guidance on building high-performing teams or establishing strategic partnerships?
Let me help you take your business to the next level. Reach out below and let's get the ball rolling on your success.