rb-logo-inline

Driving Transformational Growth

How Strategic Focus and Leadership Development Fuelled 5x Growth and 10 Acquisitions

graphic graphic

We have just finished our financial year, achieving ambitious net profit targets and greatly exceeding cash targets – despite COVID. We calculate at least a 400% return on investment on your fees in just the first 7 months given the focus that you at Rathbone Results have provided.

Alan Wheal CEO and Mark Wheeler MD, EA-RS

A multi-year engagement spanning all three pillars: Rathbones supported EA-RS through a transformational growth phase; developing strategic clarity, strengthening leadership, and building execution discipline. The work enabled 5x growth, 10 acquisitions, and PE investment.

EA-RS Group is a group of specialist Fire, Life Safety, and Security companies operating across the UK and Ireland. They deliver fully compliant, intelligent, end-to-end systems that protect people, buildings, and reputations. 

The engagement began with a brief to define a Growth Strategy. It quickly expanded to include senior leadership development, change implementation, and wider team capability building.

The Challenge

In March 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, EA-RS set out to become a national end-to-end fire and security provider. Growth ambitions were clear, but face-to-face collaboration became impossible. Rathbones adapted rapidly to deliver strategy, coaching, and leadership development fully online. 

graphics

Our Approach

Building the Foundation 

Rathbones worked via Zoom with then-Chairman & CEO Alan Wheal, then-MD (now CEO) Mark Wheeler, and the full Senior Leadership Team. 
Using the Strategic Bridge process, the team co-created a full strategic plan in four weeks: 

  • Purpose and tailored straplines 
  • 10 SMART objectives with KPIs and accountability 
  • 9 detailed strategies with actions, timelines, and ownership 

We also delivered: 

  • Monthly coaching for plan owners 
  • A tailored development programme (three workshops) 
  • 1:1 mentoring and executive coaching 

Ongoing Support 

  • Continued executive coaching 
  • Bespoke management and leadership development 
  • Strategy support for Shared Services teams 
  • Support for the M&A team to structure acquisition growth 

The Results

Several senior leaders advanced into more senior roles
10 acquisitions integrated
Business grew 5x over five years
EA-RS is now a private equity–backed group operating at national scale