Pearson Engineering (PEL)
3x Productivity with an “F1” inspired mindset
In 2024 we faced a wave of new work and significant legacy issues as we tried to scale. Rathbone Results and Iter Consulting worked quickly and diligently to help us implement solutions, based upon thorough analysis and deep expertise. They have been with us at every turn and have been willing to turn their hands to every challenge. They have brought a proactive bespoke service and have generated enthusiasm for change in the business which has encouraged our lead
Ian Bell, CEO Pearson Engineering (PEL)
Pearson Engineering, based at the Armstrong Works in Newcastle upon Tyne, is a global leader in defence engineering. It designs and supplies specialist equipment, including mobility, survivability, counter-mobility, and mine clearance systems that enhance the effectiveness of armoured vehicles worldwide.
Responsive Engineering provides manufacturing services including machining, fabrication, welding, assembly, and testing. They work across defence, rail, oil & gas, renewables and infrastructure.
Together, they operate as one integrated organisation under the Pearson Engineering name, combining innovation in design with production expertise to deliver high-quality solutions for military and commercial customers.
The Challenge
Rapidly expand manufacturing output to meet urgent customer demand without overburdening staff.
Identify long-term performance drivers and implement a programme to treble output within 3 to 5 years.
Introduce cross-industry best practices, strengthen internal capability, and equip leadership to scale the business sustainably across all functions.
Our Approach
We began by implementing an immediate productivity measure to ease pressure in the manufacturing process, then developed a structured plan with clear milestones and measurable outcomes.
An intensive 8-week sprint followed, during which we reviewed the core issues and launched three tactical quickwin projects to address urgent challenges.
From this, we built a gated transformation programme with robust governance, defined resourcing, and measurable objectives for each time-bound sprint — reducing risk, controlling scope, and managing client costs.
Finally, we worked with the PEL team to deliver the plan through successive sprints, prioritising the highest-value projects first.
The programme included, but was not limited to:
- Sales, bidding and commercial processes
- Sales and Operational Planning
- Supply Chain Management, including stores
- Design Engineering Execution & Systems
- Project Management
- ERP, IT & Business Systems
- Strategic Workforce Planning & Organisational Design
- Programme Comms and Employee Engagement
- Management Information, Reporting and Business Analytics
- Corporate Strategy and Governance
- Management and Leadership Development, Mentoring & Coaching
- Supported recruitment of new senior leaders and managers
The Results
PEL are becoming the benchmark company in their sector. In the first 6 months of the programme, they grew turnover by 37%, without overloading staff or systems. They are now on target to profitably treble turnover within 3 to 5 years.
We continue to support them as they complete the integration of their two operating units under a common leadership team. The new processes and systems within the target operating model will be underpinned by state-of-the-art business analytics and AI to enable continuous improvement and agile decision-making.
What made the difference? The “F1 mindset”, where winning is tied directly to measurable outcomes (lap times → championship points → commercial value), was embraced by the firm’s senior leadership, combined with our commitment to meet every challenge and provide a seamless concierge service from beginning to end, however tough the challenges.
The very practical and results-focused approach of Rathbone Results and Iter Consulting brought insights and a wealth of cross sector expertise. The team were always thinking ahead, encouraging and mentoring us. Never afraid to speak truth to power, their practical and enthusiastic approach really won us over. As the project sponsor this
pro-active client-centric focus made a huge difference.