Building Organisations that Perform and Endure

For ambitious organisations facing complexity, change or rapid growth, I develop the teams and systems that translate bold strategy into resilient execution.

From scaling tech unicorn Deliveroo 500-fold as one of its earliest operators to leading soldiers in Afghanistan and managing humanitarian operations in Africa and the Caribbean, I’ve spent my career building organisations that perform and endure.

For the past eight years I’ve brought that experience to founders and leadership teams, solving the challenges that determine whether their vision becomes reality.


About

Paul David Mather – Operations, Leadership & Risk Management, Career Development

Operator, entrepreneur and former Army officer. Born in Salford, I studied at Oxford, worked in France and Russia, led soldiers in Afghanistan, then joined Deliveroo in London as employee 15 and the second operations hire. Our early team built the operating model, expanded internationally and scaled the business 500-fold in five years. Since then, I’ve worked with founders and leadership teams to build organisations that perform and endure. Beyond commercial ventures, I’ve trained a wilderness search and rescue team in Antigua and led safety and security for a major humanitarian NGO in Sudan.


Operating Partner & Adviser

Most organisations have a strategy; fewer have the team cohesion and operational rigour to deliver consistent results. I work with founders and leaders to develop teams capable of sustained performance through complexity, change and rapid growth.

Key Components of Success
Translating Strategy in to Execution

Ambitious organisations rarely fail for lack of ideas; they fail because strategy isn’t translated into clear priorities and accountable actions. I help you turn strategic intent into practical execution with measurable, motivational objectives.

Building Systems that Endure

As organisations grow, so does complexity. I develop systems, processes and ways of working that enable your team to scale, adapt and continue performing as demands increase. The result is a resilient organisation set up for long-term success.

Developing Teams that Perform

High-performance organisations are built by organised high-trust teams, not individuals. Whether you’re scaling fast or facing a challenge, I help create the structure and trust that enable your people to perform consistently with confidence.

Forging Resilient Leadership

Leadership is tested in adverse conditions. Drawing on my experience in tech scale-ups, military operations and humanitarian response, I help you foster trust in your team, manage risk and make sound decisions to maintain momentum through adversity.

Learn More

    When I can help
    • You have a strategy, or at least a vision, but you’re struggling to turn it into results.
    • You’ve found traction, now you’re trying to scale but your systems are starting to break.
    • You’ve got talented people but they’re working as a group of individuals, not a team.
    • You’re facing a crisis and everything you’ve worked so hard to build is at risk.
    • You’re in a leadership position and scale or change have ramped up the pressure.
    Why work with me
    • 19 years’ experience building and scaling private, public and third sector organisations.
    • Employee 15 and second operations hire at Deliveroo, scaled 500-fold in five years.
    • Advised and mentored founders from seed to series A, bootstrapped to VC-backed.
    • Hired and developed more than 100 operators, from entry level to executives.
    • I’ll challenge your assumptions collaboratively and find pragmatic, optimistic solutions.
    How we can work together

    I typically work with organisations as an operating partner, fractional executive or adviser. Each engagement is structured around the outcomes you need to achieve.


Partner Success Stories

Launched Covid Testing Partnership / Mentored Ops Director
Launched Covid Testing Partnership / Mentored Ops Director
Advised Ops Team / Hired VP Ops, CoS, Ops Managers
Advised Ops Team / Hired VP Ops, CoS, Ops Managers
Designed & Delivered Leadership Training for Big Techs
Designed & Delivered Leadership Training for Big Techs
Advised Founder / Hired & Mentored CoS
Advised Founder / Hired & Mentored CoS
Mentored Head of Ops
Mentored Head of Ops
Redesigned Employee Onboarding
Redesigned Employee Onboarding
Advised & Mentored COO
Advised & Mentored COO
Mentored Head of Finance & Ops
Mentored Head of Finance & Ops
Advised & Mentored Ops Director
Advised & Mentored Ops Director
Advised Founders on Ops / Hired COO, GM, Ops Manager
Advised Founders on Ops / Hired COO, GM, Ops Manager
Advised Founder on Ops / Hired Head of Ops
Advised Founder on Ops / Hired Head of Ops
Advised Founders on Partnerships Strategy
Advised Founders on Partnerships Strategy


Career & Leadership Mentor

Alongside my work with organisations, I help ambitious operators develop the clarity, confidence and leadership capacity to take on new roles and greater responsibility.

Key Components of Success
Career Trajectory

Clarify your values, strengths and ambitions to define the career you deserve.

Personal Brand

Craft a compelling career narrative and reflect it in your CV and LinkedIn profile.

Strategic Networking

Make a plan to access the right opportunities through focused networking.

Performance & Progression

Strengthen your performance in role and position yourself for progression.

Leadership Development

Develop or adapt your leadership style to project capability with confidence.

Learn More

    When I can help
    • You're at a career juncture and unsure which direction you should take next.
    • You know where you want to go but you need a clear strategy to get there.
    • You're applying for opportunities but not getting the response you deserve.
    • You're taking on greater responsibility and want to become a more confident leader.
    • You want to start a business or strike out on your own, which is daunting.
    Why work with me
    • 15 years' experience mentoring founders, executives, operators and emerging leaders.
    • Led teams of more than 80 and hired dozens of operators into varied organisations.
    • Mentored people globally, at all levels of seniority, in business, NGOs and the military.
    • Trained and accredited as a mentor by The Portfolio Collective.
    • I will listen carefully and give direct feedback to help you take strategic actions.
    How we can work together

    I offer strategic career and leadership mentoring, intensive support for career transitions, and ad hoc sessions for quick results. My approach is tailored to your goals.


Mentoring Success Stories


Connect with Me

I don't hide behind assistants or AI bots. Reach out for an honest chat to learn more.