Adrian Botham

Biography

Following a Pure Mathematics degree at Warwick University, Adrian began his career at Lucas Aftermarket Operations (now TRW Automotive) training as a Business Systems Analyst and Systems Project Manager specialising in demand forecasting, inventory management, MRPII and technical publishing systems.

In 1994, he joined Multipart Distribution Limited as Systems Development Manager where he was responsible for supply chain and technical systems during a period of major change for the company.  Multipart was recently reborn out of the Leyland DAF receivership and was replacing all of its mainframe systems with modern, cost-effective equivalents.  After 3+ years of transformation (described by a company Director at the time as “a heart lung and bowel transplant all in one go,” and acquisition from the banks and venture capitalists by Lex Service plc, Multipart had it’s new ERP, supply planning and technical systems and was on the hunt for new aftermarket parts contracts and clients to grow its business.

This was Adrian’s cue to move out of IT and into business development and consulting.  He led Lex Multipart’s diversification from its background in truck and van parts into the Defence industry by undertaking consultancy projects, managing bids and winning a transformational £70 million supply chain parts and service contract for Vickers Defence systems – it being the first ever availability contract for UK Defence.

A period of general management followed, setting up a new Defence business unit and managing this contract operationally and commercially, whilst continuing his consulting and business development duties to win more bolt-on contracts with other Defence automotive manufacturers.  After handing over Lex’s Defence business to a new Managing Director, Adrian negotiated a joint venture with Lex’s partners and led a £250 million bid to manage the Ministry of Defence’s £19 billion of Land sector inventory as an outsourced managed service.

In 2003, Adrian joined BAE Systems to continue shaping and influencing the servitisation of UK Defence.  He led an internal consulting team on a variety of large supply chain and logistics development initiatives, initially working within and across the customer solutions and support (aftermarket) air, land and sea business units, before moving up to a global leadership role encompassing manufacturing supply chain and logistics across all 6 home markets as well.  By the time he left BAE Systems, Adrian had earned himself a reputation as the leading authority within the company for supply chain, logistics, availability contracting and through-life support management for all product sectors including aerospace, automotive, marine, hi-tech electronics, weapon systems and general munitions.

Adrian is now the founder and director of Servispart Consulting and has been described by senior management consultancy leaders as “an original thinker” in the fields of aftermarket and logistics.  He now helps manufacturers in Automotive, Aerospace, Defence, Marine, Industrial, Hi-Tech Electronics and Consumer Appliance sectors to grow and develop their aftermarket businesses.

Away from the office, Adrian likes to follow Leeds United and Saints rugby league teams and loves a nice cup of tea – so if we’re meeting at your place, remember to put the kettle on!