--- title: "Advisor for scale-up businesses" url: https://www.simonwakeman.com/how-i-work/advisor-for-scale-up-businesses/ description: "When you need an experienced operator in the room, not hands-on work. Monthly board-level advisory for founders and CEOs of UK & US scale-ups." modified: 2024-11-07T06:35:45Z author: Simon Wakeman --- # Advisor for scale-up businesses ## Trusted advisor for growth businesses A scale-up advisor is an experienced operator who sits outside your business and gives you counsel, usually monthly, on the decisions that are too big to get wrong. I help you through the growth journey as an external advisor or board member, providing you with flexible collaborative support from me when you need it. This usually involves a monthly board or exec team meeting for accountability and working through issues, follow-up discussions and agreed actions to drive change. We’ll have also have regular quick chats or check-ins outside these sessions as you work through particular challenges in building and leading your business. [Book a call with Simon](https://www.simonwakeman.com/contact/book-a-call/) ![Image of Simon](https://www.simonwakeman.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SW3.jpeg) > _“Simon is a serious company builder. He knows how to take a founder’s vision for their business and make it real step by step. He’s got a collaborative and thoughtful approach to leading teams and getting things done. If you want a trusted partner in scaling your business, work with Simon.”_ Tim Deeson, serial exited founder & advisor to early stage start-ups ![Tim Deeson](https://www.simonwakeman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/tim-deeson.jpg) > _“Simon has often been my go to person to talk to about gnarly problems in technology businesses. We’ve often brainstormed ideas around operating models and structures, and I’ve really valued Simon’s approach as a leader, which is about integrity, inclusivity, and being a servant to his colleagues. If you need help with leadership, business models, or people challenges, you’ll be in very safe hands.”_ Stuart Arthur, Founder & CTO, Pivotl ![Stuart Arthur](https://www.simonwakeman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/stuart-arthur.jpeg) > _“Simon has an outstanding skill set and extensive experience in technology, business operations and management. He is easy to work with and can effectively draw on his skills and experience to help solve problems with calm authority and creativity. I highly recommend Simon to anyone looking for efficient, energetic and effective support.”_ Neil Benson, serial biotech founder at Xenologiq, Quantlmed & Sevenless Therapeutics ![Neil Benson](https://www.simonwakeman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/neil-benson.jpeg) > _“Simon has a unique ability to bring the best out of the people around him. He is extremely knowledgeable, and exudes a calm and measured confidence in any situation. I have always been impressed by Simon’s ability to hold a room and bring people together, with a perfect balance of knowledge and curiosity.”_ Sarah Harris, Managing Director at The Wellbeing Project ![Sarah Harris](https://www.simonwakeman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/sarah-harris.jpeg) ## Frequently asked questions ### What does working with you as an advisor involve? Usually a monthly 60 or 90 minute board or exec team meeting, with agreed actions afterwards. Between sessions you can reach me by email, Slack or WhatsApp for the things that can’t wait. ### Can you join our board? Yes. I work either as an external advisor or as a board member. ### Who do you advise? Founders and CEOs of £2m–£20m UK and US scale-ups with 10 to 125 people, typically tech-centric businesses, agencies, SaaS and professional services firms. ### How many founders do you advise at once? I cap the number of founders I work with at any one time, so each relationship gets real attention and I know your business well before each session. ### How do you charge for advisory work? I work on fees, or a mix of fees and equity, but not equity alone. ## Read more about working with an advisor - [The advisor guide: what a good scale-up advisor actually does](https://www.simonwakeman.com/guides/advisor/) - [Ten questions every founder of a scaling business should be asking](https://www.simonwakeman.com/guides/advisor/ten-questions-for-scaling-founders/) - [Stuck in the middle: how founder misalignment kills scaling businesses](https://www.simonwakeman.com/guides/advisor/founder-misalignment/) - [Grow your company like you’re preparing to sell – even if you’re not](https://www.simonwakeman.com/guides/advisor/grow-like-preparing-to-sell/) [**Book a call with Simon**](https://www.simonwakeman.com/contact/book-a-call/) ## Leading a growth business? My B3 framework® helps you get your scaling journey right and reduce the challenges of successful business growth. Developed in 2023 from more than 60 interviews with scale-up founders and investors, it’s a simple yet powerful framework for company building, giving you everything you need to build a brilliant business. [![The B3 framework for scaling businesses](https://www.simonwakeman.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/diagraminGIF-1536x1024-1.gif)](https://www.simonwakeman.com/b3/) [**Find out more about the B3 framework®**](https://www.simonwakeman.com/b3/)