Stephen Adams

I help start-ups and SMEs scale revenue and implement AI without the guesswork

Strategic Growth Advisor | Non-Executive Director | Sales Leadership Coach | AI Implementation Partner

Most "AI consultants" can't sell. Most "sales consultants" don't understand AI. I bridge both. With 25+ years scaling businesses and contributing to over £100M in investment, I'm the transformation partner you need to grow confidently.

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How I Help You Scale

I'm not just another consultant. I'm a strategic advisor and implementation partner who brings board-level commercial expertise, practical AI knowledge, and 25+ years of field-tested sales leadership.

Non-Executive Director

Board-level commercial strategy and governance for start-ups and SMEs navigating growth, fundraising, or exit.

  • Strategic commercial oversight
  • M&A advisory and due diligence
  • Market expansion planning
  • Investor relations and board governance
  • Performance metrics and accountability

Coach & Mentor

Sales leadership development and team building that transforms "good" sales operations into consistently high-performing revenue engines.

  • Sales leadership coaching (1:1 and team)
  • STEPHEN ADAMS SALES SYSTEM™ implementation
  • Team development and recruitment strategy
  • Performance coaching for executives
  • Situational leadership training

AI Implementation

Practical AI adoption that drives revenue, not just theory. I help you implement AI tools that actually move the needle on sales and operations.

  • AI readiness assessment and strategy
  • Sales automation and CRM optimisation
  • AI-powered customer engagement
  • Implementation roadmaps and training
  • ROI measurement and optimisation

Why This Positioning is Different

I'm not competing with fractional CROs or pure-play AI consultants. I'm positioning myself as a transformation partner who can sit at your board table (NED), build your sales capability (coaching), and implement the technology that accelerates growth (AI). This combination is rare and valuable because most consultants can only do one of these things well. I do all three.

Proven Results

Real outcomes from strategic partnerships with start-ups and SMEs across AI, SaaS, and telco sectors.

AI IMPLEMENTATION

SaaS Scale-Up: AI-Powered Sales Automation

The Challenge

Mid-sized SaaS company with 15-person sales team struggling with manual prospecting, inconsistent follow-up, and poor pipeline visibility. Average deal cycle: 6 months.

The Solution

Implemented AI-powered sales automation suite including intelligent lead scoring, automated outreach sequencing, and predictive analytics. Delivered comprehensive team training and new sales playbook.

The Results

42% reduction in deal cycle time (from 6 months to 3.5 months), 65% increase in qualified pipeline, and 80% reduction in administrative time. Team closed £2.4M in new ARR within first 6 months post-implementation.

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Tech Start-Up: Series A to Series B Journey

The Challenge

Early-stage AI start-up post-Series A funding (£3.5M raised) needing commercial strategy, sales infrastructure, and investor-ready growth metrics to secure Series B.

The Solution

Joined board as NED focusing on commercial oversight. Developed go-to-market strategy, established sales function from zero, implemented performance frameworks, and supported Series B preparation and investor presentations.

The Results

Company scaled from £400K to £2.8M ARR in 18 months, built 8-person sales team, achieved 95% gross retention rate, and successfully closed £12M Series B round at 3x Series A valuation.

COACHING & DEVELOPMENT

Sales Leadership Transformation Programme

The Challenge

New Sales Director at established SME (£8M revenue) promoted from within, struggling with strategic leadership, team motivation, and transitioning from individual contributor to leader. Team morale low, high attrition.

The Solution

6-month executive coaching engagement using STEPHEN ADAMS SALES SYSTEM™ framework. Weekly 1:1 sessions, leadership assessment, situational leadership training, and team restructuring support.

The Results

Sales Director grew into role with demonstrable leadership capability. Team attrition reduced from 40% to 12% annually, employee satisfaction scores increased 35%, and team delivered 128% of annual quota (first time in 3 years exceeding target).

Should Your Business Use AI?

Take this 20-minute assessment to discover where AI can drive the most value in your sales and operations, and get a personalised roadmap.

Free AI Readiness Assessment

About Stephen Adams

Stephen Adams

I'm a commercial leader, investor, and non-executive director who's spent 25+ years scaling businesses from start-ups to enterprises across AI, telco, and SaaS. My track record? Contributing to over £100M in investment, securing multi-million-pound contracts, and helping drive major M&A outcomes including a £12.5B acquisition by BT.

My superpower is being a commercial catalyst who thrives on turning "what if" into "we did it". Whether it's scaling a business, negotiating seven-figure enterprise deals, or steering companies through complex M&A transactions, I bring both strategic vision and tactical execution.

I'm driven by what I call GROWTH: Goal-oriented. Results-focused. Opportunity-driven. Winning mindset. Team-first. Human-centred. This combination is about having an achievement mindset and a bias for action whilst also being profoundly self-reflective and tuned in to the people around me.

I'm naturally curious with a knack for quickly connecting the dots. My roles have always focused on translating business opportunities into scalable strategies that drive efficiency, performance, and revenue growth.

Books

Proven frameworks and personal insights from 25+ years in business and life.

STEPHEN ADAMS SALES SYSTEM™ CORE PLAYBOOK

The proven 8-step sales framework used to close multi-million-pound B2B deals. From prospecting to closing, this playbook gives you the exact system that's generated over £100M in enterprise revenue.

Topics: Enterprise sales, B2B strategy, deal qualification, objection handling, closing techniques

View on Amazon

From Dead Data to £5 Million: The AI Customer Satisfaction Revolution

Discover how to transform dormant customer data into actionable insights that drive revenue growth. Essential reading for business leaders looking to leverage AI for competitive advantage.

Topics: AI implementation, customer data strategy, revenue growth, business transformation

View on Amazon

The Situational Leader: Adapt Your Coaching Style, Build High-Performing Teams, and Develop Talent at Every Level

Drawing from decades of leading diverse teams across multiple industries, this book provides practical frameworks for becoming the leader your team needs.

Topics: Leadership development, coaching, team building, situational leadership

Kindle Edition

Kidney for Lily

A Kidney for Lily: A Dance of Hope is a heartfelt and compelling story that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster, weaving through the trials and triumphs of a young girl's battle with chronic kidney disease. Written with warmth and empathy, this touching narrative is a beacon of hope for anyone facing life's challenges.

Topics: Children's book, hope, resilience, chronic kidney disease, family support

Kindle Edition

Articles & Insights

Practical advice on sales leadership, AI transformation, and business growth.

You're Losing Customers Every Night Because No One Answers at Midnight

The UK online pharmacy market is worth £27 billion, but 60% of enquiries come after 6 PM when no one's there to answer. I reveal how AI is helping pharmacies capture after-hours revenue and improve conversions by 40%.

Read on LinkedIn

Something Happened on October 29, 2025 That Nobody Was Expecting

A major shift in AI and revenue growth that caught everyone off guard. Discover what changed and how forward-thinking businesses are capitalising on this unexpected opportunity.

Read on LinkedIn

The 4-Day Week Debate: Great for Staff, Risky for Business

Everyone wants a 4-day work week, but what does it do to business performance? I break down the real numbers and how AI agents can bridge the gap whilst protecting revenue.

Read on LinkedIn

More Articles on LinkedIn

I regularly share insights on sales leadership, AI transformation, and business growth. Explore my full collection of articles covering enterprise sales, AI implementation, and scaling strategies.

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View All Articles on LinkedIn

Media & Speaking

Keynote presentations, podcast interviews, and media features on sales, AI, and leadership.

ADVOCACY

World Kidney Day Ambassador

Appointed as Ambassador for World Kidney Day 2024-Present, campaigning for kidney health awareness and early detection across the UK.

Learn More
CHARITY

PKD Charity Supporter

Active supporter and advocate for Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Charity, raising awareness and supporting families affected by chronic kidney disease.

Visit PKD Charity
SPEAKING

Available for Speaking Engagements

Keynote speaker on sales leadership, AI transformation, scaling businesses, and overcoming adversity. Topics include enterprise sales, leadership development, and resilience.

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Let's Talk About Your Growth

Book a free 30-minute discovery call to explore how I can help you scale revenue, build sales capability, or implement AI that actually drives results.

Email

stephen@stephenadams.org

LinkedIn

Connect with me

Location

Scotland, UK
(Working globally)

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