Resources and insights

The latest industry news, interviews, technologies, and resources.

SmartCo launches first white paper in new AI series

SmartCo has launched the first in a new white paper series exploring the real-world challenges and opportunities organisations face as AI adoption accelerates. The first paper, The Delivery Intelligence Gap: Why organisations are accumulating Delivery Intelligence Debt and how to close the gap with AI, examines how businesses can move beyond productivity gains and begin building the structured delivery intelligence needed for long-term success. The paper marks the start of a broader thought leadership series focused on enabling organisations to navigate AI. The series will look at the operational, delivery and governance questions leaders need to address if they want AI to create sustainable business value. Callum Campbell, Head of Clients & Growth at SmartCo, said: ‘This series is about helping organisations have a more practical conversation about AI. There is a lot of energy around the technology, but the real question is how that momentum translates into better decisions, stronger delivery and lasting organisational learning. We wanted to start by addressing one of the most important gaps we are seeing in the market.’ Callum Campbell, Head of Clients & Growth at SmartCo Sahar Khan, Transformation and AI expert in financial services added: ‘What matters now is not just whether teams are using AI, but whether they are using it in a way that improves how delivery is run, understood and governed. That is where many organisations still have work to do, and it is where this paper aims to offer a practical and experience-led perspective.’ Sahar Khan, Transformation and AI expert in financial services

Latest News

SmartCo recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces™ 2026

We are thrilled to announce that SmartCo has been officially recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces™ 2026. The recognition was revealed at the UK’s Best Workplaces™ Awards held at the iconic Grosvenor House in London last night, 12th March 2026. The list celebrates organisations that go above and beyond to cultivate a workplace culture built on trust, inclusivity, and innovative people management. How we won this recognition To determine places, Great Place To Work® performed a rigorous, independent assessment. This involved analysing confidential feedback from our own team regarding their experiences of leadership effectiveness, company values and their ability to reach their full potential. The data insights gathered were then benchmarked against the UK’s most successful organisations. Only those businesses that achieve the highest scores for their employee value proposition and actual lived culture receive the “Best Workplaces” status. Our MD, Oliver Kane comments: ‘Being recognised as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces is a brilliant milestone for SmartCo. As we’ve grown, we’ve worked hard to build an environment where everyone feels empowered to be innovative and grow. This recognition is a real reflection of the team we’ve built, a team that continues to push the boundaries of what we can achieve’. Oliver Kane Looking ahead We look forward to using the valuable insights provided by Great Place To Work® to continue evolving our culture, enhancing employee satisfaction and ensuring SmartCo remains a place where talent can thrive. We want to extend a huge thank you to every member of the SmartCo team for making this possible. Onwards and up.

Sam Psarelis 13 March 2026

Winners of the Business Awards UK for Best Customer Focus

We are incredibly proud to announce that SmartCo has been named the winner of the Business Awards UK for Best Customer Focus. This award recognises our commitment to prioritising client needs, demonstrating exceptional service, and building the long-term trust required to navigate complex digital landscapes. For us, this win validates our core philosophy of working as true partners rather than a third-party vendor. At SmartCo, we’ve always believed that relationships are the priority. Being recognised for the level of service and dedication we bring to every engagement is the ultimate win for our team and our culture. The judges assessed SmartCo on our hands on approach to delivery, particularly within high-risk programmes where continuity and reliability are critical. Our ability to maintain a 100% repeat business rate with FTSE 100 companies was a key factor in this achievement, showcasing that we don’t just deliver projects, we sustain excellence. Winning this award is a testament to the high calibre talent we’ve built at SmartCo. It validates our commitment to relationship driven partnership. Seeing our team’s dedication recognised at a national level is a proud moment for all of us. Well done team Adam Pizzie (Partner) This recognition marks an exciting step forward as we continue to scale our impact as a digital enablement partner. We remain committed to ensuring that every engagement isn’t just a successful project, but a transition to a more optimised future for our partners.

Sam Psarelis 26 February 2026

Welcome to Ana Maria Olaru

We’re excited to announce Ana Maria Olaru has joined SmartCo as Managing Consultant. Wishing you a warm welcome from the entire SmartCo team. We sat down with Ana Maria to ask her a few questions about her career path, her new role at SmartCo and what she’s most looking forward to about joining. Hi Ana Maria. What has been your career leading up to SmartCo? I’ve spent the last ten years across both consulting and industry in luxury and CPR, specialising in business transformation. I’ve led big programmes and supported global brands on digital and data initiatives, usually in roles that sit where strategy, operations, and technology need to line up. My focus has always been on making change clearer, more practical, and easier for teams to deliver day to day. What is your new role and key responsibilities? I have joined SmartCo as a Managing Consultant, leading client work in CPR as well as working alongside the Business Development team to support them with growing across Consumer Products and Retail. SmartCo is on a big growth journey, so my role is a mix of guiding delivery, building strong client relationships, and helping shape where we go next as a team and company. What excites you most about this new chapter in your career? What excites me most is the people and the culture. SmartCo is collaborative, straightforward, and refreshingly free of ego or jargon, just teams focused on doing good work together. It also feels like a place where you can bring your whole self, which is when I do my best work. Being part of a growing business on an exciting journey is also a major plus, and that mix is what drew me in. What makes SmartCo stand out? SmartCo stands out for its clarity and pace. The team focuses on what genuinely matters for clients and keeps things moving without unnecessary complexity. There’s a sense of energy and purpose in the work that feels inspiring rather than overwhelming, and that combination of focus and momentum is something I really value. How do you like to spend your free time? Outside of work, I love travelling, discovering great food, and finding any excuse to end up at a festival. I’m a committed Liverpool supporter (emotionally exhausting), a Dallas Cowboys fan (also emotionally exhausting), and I follow Ferrari and Hamilton in F1 which, unsurprisingly these days, is also emotionally exhausting. Safe to say I’m a big fan of chaos. When I’m not doing any of that and trying to somehow find peace, I’m usually with my dog, deep into a TV binge or helping my partner on his golf journey!

Hannah Granshaw 11 December 2025

Great Place To Work Certification™

SmartCo Consulting is proud to announce that we are officially Certified™ by Great Place To Work®. This prestigious recognition is based entirely on feedback from our employees, who share their experiences working with us. This year, 100% of our team confirmed that SmartCo Consulting is a great place to work. Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviours that drive employee retention, innovation, and market-leading performance. “At SmartCo Consulting, our people are at the heart of everything we do. This certification reflects the dedication and passion of our team, and we are proud to celebrate the culture they have helped build.” Oli Kane, Managing Director Living Our Values SmartCo Consulting fosters an environment where employees can thrive, create and feel valued. This approach enables our team to bring forward their best work, develop fulfilling careers and make meaningful contributions. Beyond business outcomes, we champion diversity and inclusion, support local communities and lead with sustainability. These values guide how we care for our people, collaborate as teams and create a workplace where everyone can feel proud of the difference they make. “Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience. By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that SmartCo Future Health stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees.” Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. It’s our people who make SmartCo Consulting. Thank you for creating a workplace we can all be proud of.

Hannah Granshaw 24 November 2025

Unlocking Value with Rhys Hefford

We’re proud to see our CEO, Rhys Hefford, featured on the latest Garwood Growth podcast, discussing what it takes to build a business that’s scalable. In the latest episode of Unlocking Value, Rhys joins John Howard, Garwood Growth, to explore what it really takes to build organisations that perform, evolve and endure. Rhys shares how forward-thinking leaders can sustain momentum, plan for succession and design businesses that thrive beyond any one individual. Key insights include: Building value early and focusing on what truly moves the needle Preparing teams and structures for long-term success Putting purpose at the heart of growth Why letting go, at the right time, is a mark of great leadership For leaders in professional services, it’s a powerful reflection on scaling with intent and creating impact that lasts. Read more here: Episode 14: Rhys Hefford – Build, Scale, Exit, Repeat: A Serial Founder’s Playbook

Hannah Granshaw 12 November 2025

Oliver Kane Appointed as Managing Director

SmartCo Consulting is delighted to announce that Oliver Kane has been appointed Managing Director, following his successful time as Chief Operating Officer and Partner. Since joining SmartCo, Oli has played a pivotal role in shaping our strategic direction, strengthening client partnerships and driving operational excellence across the business. His leadership, energy and commitment to our people and clients have been instrumental in helping SmartCo grow into the trusted consultancy it is today. In his new role, Oli will continue to work closely with the leadership team to deliver high-impact outcomes for our clients, champion innovation and guide SmartCo through its next exciting phase of growth. “I’m honoured to step into this role and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together over the past few years. I’m excited to continue working with our talented team as we build on that success and take the business forward.” Oliver Kane, Partner and Managing Director Oli’s appointment marks an important step in our ongoing development to grow our consulting services and reinforce our reputation as a trusted partner for organisations across the UK and beyond. We’re excited to build on our successes, drive meaningful impact for our clients and shape the future of transformation. “Oli’s leadership and commitment have been central to SmartCo’s success. His deep understanding of our clients, commitment to our people and vision for the future make him the ideal person to lead our consulting operations. I’m thrilled to see him take on this role as we continue to grow and evolve.” Rhys Hefford, CEO Congratulations Oli.

Hannah Granshaw 5 November 2025

Welcome to Sam Psarelis

We’re excited to announce Sam Psarelis has joined SmartCo as Head of Marketing and Communications. Wishing you a warm welcome from the entire SmartCo team. We sat down with Sam to ask her a few questions about her career path, her new role at SmartCo and what she’s most looking forward to about joining. Hi Sam. What has been your career leading up to SmartCo? I’ve worked in marketing for almost 20 years now, (I don’t know where that time has gone). I spent many years in the not-for-profit sector, where I learned to stretch budgets creatively and deliver big impact with limited resources. I also did a couple of years in marketing agencies where the pace was completely different, lots of late-night client pitches, big budgets and fast turnarounds. It’s been a great mix of experience. What is your new role and key responsibilities? I’m Head of Marketing and Communications and I’ll be focused on creating a marketing strategy and plan to amplify the SmartCo Consulting brand and ultimately drive sales. I want to build our reputation in the market, get our messaging right and showcase the brilliant projects and impacts we’ve made to companies globally. I’ll be concentrating on setting some foundations and the website initially, using those as a springboard for everything else. What excites you most about this new chapter in your career? I’m really excited to be diving into a new sector and learning more about IT and technology. If it’s not my young children waking me up in the night, it’s my brain buzzing with ideas. Having the opportunity to build something from scratch and make a real impact in a growing business has got me scribbling notes on my phone at 2am, and I love it. What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on? Wrigley Extra gum was a client of mine for some time. I worked on a campaign called ‘Pack a Punch’ to raise awareness of the health benefits of sugar free gum. I worked with a fantastic creative team and got the opportunity to run lots of consumer testing, spying on people in tinted glass rooms. The absolute highlight was a trip to Chicago to see the real Wrigley Field. That was pretty special. What attracted you to SmartCo? It was the people and the potential. From the first conversations I could tell this was a business with serious ambition and a culture that genuinely values its team. The chance to shape marketing from an early stage in a growing consultancy really excited me. I wanted to be part of building something and be able to make real impact. What’s one thing you’d love to learn? I’ve always wanted to play the guitar, but that’s on hold for when I have more time outside my career and family life! But at work, this role needs me to roll up my sleeves and get stuck in with content. I’m looking forward to the trial and error, the learning curve and working out how to make our LinkedIn content really land with the right audience. What’s something you’ve enjoyed recently? Three days away with the girls in Ibiza! We ate amazing food, swam in the sea and were lucky enough to get AAA passes to a club where my friend’s brother DJs. It was magic.

Hannah Granshaw 26 October 2025

Awarded ISO Certifications

We’re proud to share that SmartCo Consulting has successfully maintained our ISO certifications, completing both the Stage 2 ISO 14001 (Environmental Management) and Surveillance ISO 9001 (Quality Management) audits. This milestone represents far more than compliance. It demonstrates our ongoing dedication to quality, sustainability and continuous improvement in every area of our business. From refining our processes and products to enhancing the positive impact we create for our clients, community, and the environment, these internationally recognised standards affirm that responsibility and excellence remain at the heart of everything we do. “Achieving these certifications once again is a true reflection of our team’s hard work, expertise and commitment. Their efforts ensure we continue to deliver high-quality solutions while reducing our environmental footprint.” Oliver Kane, Partner A heartfelt thank you to our entire team for making this achievement possible. This achievement reflects our shared commitment to innovation, quality and sustainability.

Hannah Granshaw 21 October 2025

Facing a complex programme? Let's talk.

If you need immediate clarity, extra capacity or a team that can mobilise fast, our experienced team is ready to help from day one.

Book a conversation Email us