I'm Michael. I work with SME owners in retail, e-commerce, and professional services who know their business could be running more profitably — but haven't had the right commercial leadership to make it happen. No long contracts. No inflated day rates. Just senior expertise, when you need it.
A lot of growing businesses hit the same wall. Turnover is up, the team is working hard — but somehow the money isn't stacking up the way it should. Margins are thin, the owner is still making decisions they shouldn't need to, and nobody has ever really sat down and looked at the commercial fundamentals.
That's where I come in. I'm Michael, Founder of MDA Business Advisory. I've spent over 15 years in senior commercial roles across retail, e-commerce, and professional services — and I set up MDA specifically to give growing SMEs access to that kind of experience without the cost of a full-time hire.
I work alongside your team, typically one to three days a week, getting into the detail of how your business makes money — and making it work harder. I don't just point at problems. I fix them, and I leave the business in better shape than I found it.
Not sure what a fractional commercial director actually does day to day? Here's where I spend my time — and where most businesses find the biggest wins.
Many SMEs are undercharging without realising it. I review your pricing architecture, identify where margin is being left on the table, and build a strategy that reflects the real value you deliver.
A bloated or poorly structured range quietly kills profitability. I work through your product mix, identify what's earning its space and what isn't, and build a range plan that makes commercial sense.
If the business stops when you step away, that's a structural problem. I design the processes and systems that let your team run things properly — without everything coming back to you.
Most businesses overpay somewhere in their supply chain. I review supplier relationships, negotiate better terms, manage lead times, and reduce cost of goods — without compromising quality.
Turning over money and making money are two very different things. I build the commercial reporting and cash flow frameworks that give you a clear, honest picture of where your business actually stands.
Sometimes a business just needs someone to come in, look at it straight, and say what needs to change. If margins are sliding, growth has stalled, or things feel out of control — that's exactly the situation I work in.
We talk through your business — where it is, where you want it to be, and what's in the way. No charge, no obligation, no sales pitch. Just an honest conversation.
A focused 2–3 week deep dive into your commercial operations. Fixed fee, agreed upfront — no surprises. You get a prioritised 90-day action plan with clear, practical recommendations.
Ongoing part-time commercial director support — typically 1–3 days per week. I work inside your business, alongside your team, implementing the changes that make the difference.
When we're done, the improvements stay. I leave you with the systems, processes, and commercial discipline to keep growing — without needing me there to hold it together.
Usually a founder or MD running a business of 20–200 people. You've built something real — customers, a team, a reputation. But somewhere along the way the commercial side hasn't kept pace. You're working harder than ever and the numbers still don't feel right.
You don't need a consultant handing you a report. You need someone who rolls their sleeves up and gets it done alongside you.
These are real recommendations from LinkedIn — from people who've worked alongside me, reported to me, and managed me directly over the past 15 years.
Mike is a true leader, with a passion for retail and eCommerce whilst being the most honest and transparent person anyone could hope to work with. He is a straight shooter who always tells it like it is, even when the truth is difficult to hear. His integrity and authenticity make him a trusted colleague and leader.
Mike's strategic vision and ability to identify market trends have been instrumental in driving growth. His market analysis, combined with a deep understanding of consumer behaviour and competitor activities, enables the team to make informed business decisions that have positively impacted profitability and customer satisfaction.
Michael is knowledgeable and highly skilled technically but also has the ability to enthuse and motivate even the most difficult of people. He is not afraid to constructively challenge and consistently delivers to a very high standard. He leads by example — innovative, organised and precise.
He remains calm and unphased in even the most challenging of situations. His work ethic and tenacity in seeing things through thoroughly and successfully end to end is exemplary. He is highly respected by clients, his team and wider teams and would be an absolute asset to any business looking for a progressive, forward-thinking senior team member.
Pick a time below. It's free, it's informal, and there's absolutely no obligation. If I can help, I'll tell you how. If I can't, I'll tell you that too.