Zain Awan
MCIM, L.ISP
Sales, Marketing and Strategic Partnership Leader
Mentor & Third Sector Strategist
Who am I?
With over 15 years of experience in commercial leadership, I’ve built my career around one thing: turning potential into performance. From recruiting and developing talent to leading high-performing teams across sales, marketing, operations and strategic partnerships, I bring a hands-on, results-driven approach to every challenge.
My work spans the UK, USA, Europe, Asia and Australia, giving me a rare depth of understanding when it comes to navigating different markets, cultures and business landscapes. My speciality lies in expansion strategy, helping local brands scale nationally and national brands break into international markets.
Beyond the boardroom, I’m a committed mentor to sales and marketing graduates, supporting the next generation with career guidance, soft skills development and the kind of honest, practical advice that only comes from real experience.
My Experience
My career spans over 15 years across commercial leadership roles in media, tech, logistics, marketing and professional services, with a consistent thread running through all of it: building teams, opening markets and driving growth.
I started in advertising sales at ITV and STV, where I cut my teeth developing campaigns for major brands across television and digital platforms. That early grounding in media gave me a sharp understanding of how audiences engage with brands, something that’s shaped my approach ever since. I moved agency-side at All Response Media, helping brands optimise their media strategies and get more from their investments across the UK market.
From there, my career took on a more international focus. As Regional Sales and Marketing Manager at Letbwise, I secured key contracts with the Scottish Government and elevated the agency’s standing in a competitive property market. I then stepped into global roles, leading a 100+ person commercial organisation across four continents at Zivelo, where I drove a 300% revenue increase and secured multi-million-pound contracts across QSR, healthcare, retail and banking. At Big Mobile, I spearheaded market entry across Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and Malaysia, tailoring go-to-market strategies for their AI-driven platform across diverse regulatory and commercial landscapes.
I went on to build the enterprise sales function at Huboo, supporting their expansion across Europe, before directing international operations across the USA, EMEA and APAC at Insyt Agency, managing high-value enterprise accounts and restructuring practices to boost retention and growth. I also worked with The Drum on a short-term basis, developing strategic partnerships across events, digital marketing and offline media.
Most recently, as Commercial Director at Aston Shaw, I led a full brand transformation, revitalised the firm’s go-to-market strategy and launched a strategic partnerships division to expand reach and modernise service delivery.
Alongside my commercial work, I’m a committed mentor through the Chartered Institute of Marketing and MET Mentoring, supporting marketing graduates with career guidance, interview preparation, soft skills and the kind of practical, honest advice that helps people build confidence and find their footing in the industry.
Click below to see the timeline of my career and a brief overview of my role in each company.
What services I can provide
Whether you’re a startup looking to scale, an established business ready to break into new markets, or somewhere in between, I bring the strategic thinking and hands-on experience to help you get there.
Commercial Strategy & Growth I work with businesses to build clear, actionable commercial strategies that drive real revenue. Whether you need to refine your positioning, restructure your sales approach or identify new opportunities, I’ll help you focus on what actually moves the needle. From early-stage planning through to execution, I bring the strategic thinking to turn ambition into measurable results.
Market Expansion & Go-To-Market Taking a brand into a new region takes more than ambition. It takes research, local insight and a plan that accounts for the realities on the ground. I’ve launched businesses into markets across Europe, South East Asia, the USA and Australia, and I bring that experience to every engagement. Whether you’re going national or international, I’ll help you enter new markets with confidence.
Sales Performance & Strategic Partnerships Great sales teams aren’t born, they’re built. I help businesses recruit, structure and develop high-performing sales functions, and pair that with a partnerships strategy that extends your reach. From building teams and embedding proven frameworks to identifying and negotiating strategic alliances, I focus on creating the commercial engine that drives long-term, sustainable growth.
Mentoring & Coaching I work with individuals and teams at all levels, from graduates finding their feet to senior leaders looking for a sounding board. My mentoring is practical, direct and rooted in real experience. No jargon, no fluff, just honest guidance that helps people build confidence, sharpen their skills and take the next step in their careers.
Posts
Why Most Businesses Get International Expansion Wrong
There’s a moment in every ambitious business’s journey where someone looks at a map…
Let’s get talking!
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.