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July 23, 2025
Stuart
Brookshaw
he/him/his
Business Management Consultant
Victoria
Brand statement
I help businesses scale, structure, and succeed by providing strategic leadership, operational clarity, and commercial acumen—ensuring they grow sustainably and achieve their full potential.
Career Journey
Career Story
As a Fractional CEO, COO, and GM, I help businesses scale, structure, and succeed by providing strategic leadership, operational clarity, and commercial acumen. With experience across tech, digital, hospitality, wine, food, FMCG, property, and professional services, I specialise in optimising operations, driving financial performance, and executing growth strategies.
I thrive in fast-moving, high-stakes environments, working closely with founders, CEOs, and leadership teams to transform challenges into structured, scalable solutions. My focus is on delivering tangible results, embedding lasting impact, and positioning businesses for long-term success.
Career Highlight
Career Goal
Experience
Experience 1
Experience 2
Experience 3
[ { "role": "Managing Director", "company": "Taste Consulting", "endYear": "2025", "endMonth": "3", "location": "Australia", "startYear": "1998", "startMonth": "3", "description": "Consultancy that provides Fractional CEO, COO, and GM services to startups and SMEs, focusing on business structure, financials, sales & marketing strategy, and operational leadership." }, { "role": "Performance Director", "company": "Philotimo Global", "endYear": "2025", "endMonth": "3", "location": "Melbourne", "startYear": "2021", "startMonth": "8", "description": "Led business transformation projects for SMEs, driving growth, leadership structure, and sales strategy. Designed and implemented a Fractional GM model, embedding scalable systems." }, { "role": "CEO", "company": "Venuenow", "endYear": "2020", "endMonth": "3", "location": "Australia", "startYear": "2018", "startMonth": "9", "description": "Scaled business operations and increased market penetration. Led company restructure to improve efficiency, customer acquisition, and overall profitability." }, { "role": "Head of Special Projects & Innovation", "company": "Deliveroo", "endYear": "2018", "endMonth": "10", "location": "", "startYear": "2015", "startMonth": "1", "description": "Designed and executed high-impact projects to support rapid growth and market expansion in 5 international markets. Implemented process improvements to enhance operational efficiency." } ]
Career & Personal Growth
My career goal is...
I aim to leverage my deep expertise in strategic leadership, business growth, and high-performance execution to create a meaningful impact in the businesses I work with. I thrive in fast-moving, dynamic environments where I can help companies scale, streamline operations, and unlock new opportunities.
My ideal role allows me to combine strategy, commercial acumen, and leadership to drive measurable success through Fractional CEO/COO/GM roles, consulting, or advisory work. I am passionate about mentoring teams, shaping growth strategies, and embedding sustainable systems that enable businesses to operate efficiently and profitably.
Ultimately, I want to build a portfolio career that balances strategic leadership, problem-solving, and meaningful collaborations. I want to help businesses achieve their full potential while aligning with my own personal and professional aspirations.
My personal goal is...
I want to create a fulfilling and balanced life where I can apply my skills and experience in a way that challenges, excites, and inspires me. My goal is to work on projects that matter, collaborate with people who share my drive for growth and innovation, and build something that leaves a lasting impact.
Beyond work, I am focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, deepening my relationships, and carving out time for personal passions. I want to continue learning, mentoring, and exploring new opportunities that align with both my professional ambitions and personal well-being.
Vision of Success
What success looks like to me..
Success, to me, is about having the freedom to do meaningful work on my terms. It’s about leveraging my expertise as a Fractional CEO, COO, and GM to help businesses scale, structure, and thrive while maintaining a balanced and fulfilling life.
I measure success not just in business growth and financial achievements, but in the impact I have on the teams and leaders I work with. If I can help businesses become stronger, more efficient, and more sustainable, while also mentoring and developing future leaders, then I know I’m making a real difference.
In five years time, I want to be...
In five years, I want to have a thriving portfolio career where I’m:
✔️ Working with a select group of businesses as a Fractional CEO/COO/GM, creating long-term impact.
✔️ Generating $3,000–$5,000 per week in consistent revenue while maintaining flexibility.
✔️ Teaching and mentoring the next generation of business leaders through education and advisory work.
✔️ Enjoying a well-balanced lifestyle, with time for travel, music, and personal pursuits.
✔️ Building a sustainable consulting business that aligns with my expertise and long-term vision.
Ultimately, I want to design my career around impact, autonomy, and personal fulfillment—working with businesses that challenge and inspire me while maintaining the freedom to enjoy life.
Pursuits
What I want to make or do...
What I Want to Make or Do…
I want to build and lead high-performing businesses, helping them scale with structure, strategy, and sustainable growth. Beyond that, I’m passionate about mentoring, teaching, and guiding emerging leaders, ensuring they have the tools to succeed in their own careers.
Outside of work, I want to continue exploring music, playing guitar, and maybe even recording or performing—bringing more creativity into my life alongside my professional pursuits.
🔹 I Want to Take on More…
✔️ Fractional CEO/COO/GM roles where I can drive real impact in scaling businesses.
✔️ Advisory and mentoring opportunities to support founders and leadership teams.
✔️ Teaching and guest lecturing at institutions like William Angliss, Holmesglen, Deakin, or Monash.
✔️ Speaking engagements on business strategy, leadership, and growth.
✔️ Creative pursuits, including more time for music and travel.
My goal is to blend business impact with personal fulfillment, ensuring my work remains both strategically valuable and personally rewarding.
I want to take on more...
✔️ Fractional CEO/COO/GM roles where I can drive meaningful business transformation.
✔️ High-growth businesses that need strategic leadership to scale effectively.
✔️ Advisory and mentoring work to guide founders and leadership teams.
✔️ Teaching and guest lecturing at institutions like William Angliss, Holmesglen, Deakin, or Monash.
✔️ Speaking engagements on leadership, business growth, and operational excellence.
✔️ Creative pursuits, including more time for music, travel, and personal projects.
Red Flags & Focus Areas
Stop me if I ever...
Take on too many projects at once, stretching myself too thin.
Work with businesses that lack direction, commitment, or integrity.
Spend too much time on low-impact tasks instead of strategic work.
Ignore my own boundaries and let work overshadow personal time.
Work with people who resist change but expect results.
I want to take on less..
Micromanaging operations instead of driving strategic impact.
Businesses that aren’t ready for change but expect transformation.
Reactive firefighting instead of proactive planning and execution.
Unstructured or unclear roles with no defined objectives.
Admin-heavy tasks that don’t contribute to growth or leadership impact.
Contact Information
Work Preference
Prefered Working Location
Australia
Work Preference
WIP
Expertise & Skills
Primary Expertise
Executive Leadership
Secondary Expertise
Innovation
Seniority Level
25 - 30 years
Key Skill
AI & automation,Business management,Business Operations,C-Suite,Cost-benefit analyzing,Creative thinking,Critical thinking,Customer service,Emotional Intelligence,Brand,Growth,Financial management,Innovation,Marketing,Problem solving,Project management,Reporting,Sales,Strategy,Team building
Impact
What type of impact are you interested in making?
I aim to help businesses scale, structure, and succeed by providing strategic leadership, operational clarity, and commercial acumen. Whether as a Fractional CEO, COO, or GM, my focus is on driving sustainable growth, improving operational efficiency, and mentoring leadership teams to build high-performing businesses.
I’m passionate about helping founders and SMEs navigate challenges, optimise their financial and operational frameworks, and position themselves for long-term success. My impact is measured in real business transformation—stronger teams, scalable systems, and sustainable growth.
Impact By Numbers
9 countries
Led businesses across Australia, Asia & Europe.
50+business
Scaled SMEs & startups with strategy & leadership
$500MGrowth
Driven revenue growth through strategy & execution
Flair
Rockstar strategist by day, guitarist by night.
Business, wine, and a good strategy—my perfect trio.
Scaling businesses & belting tunes—both at full volume.
Fractional CEO with a soundtrack. Work hard, play louder.
Building businesses, swimming laps, and hitting chords.
Beyond the Bio
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Learning
Masters of Entrepreneurship & Innovation (MEI)
Swinburne University
Victorian College of the Arts (VCA)
Performance & Music
Additional Learning & Development
Extensive executive experience in business strategy, growth, and leadership
Hands-on expertise in fractional executive roles, business consulting, and operational transformation