Virtual Board - CBASS Business Consultancy and Services

Virtual Board Services

Expert guidance from leaders who have built, scaled and transformed real businesses.

Experts in their fields with years of business experience

The founding members of CBASS bring together more than 100 years of combined experience, shaped by real success in building and leading businesses across multiple sectors. Each partner is an accomplished business owner with a proven track record in areas such as finance, legal, innovation, scalability, people development, sales, marketing, digital transformation and AI consultancy.

This depth of experience forms the foundation of our Virtual Board service, giving organisations access to genuine expertise, strategic clarity and practical guidance from leaders who have navigated growth, challenge and change first-hand.

Gareth O'Rourke

Experienced Board Member Specialising in Digital, Automation and AI

Ray McCreadie

Experienced Board Member Specialising in Strategic Planning and Delivery

Claire McLean

Experienced Board Member Specialising in HR and People and Workforce Development

Peter Flemming

Experienced Board Member Specialising in Sales and Marketing

Darren Moynan

Experienced Board Member Specialising in Finance, Accountancy and Tax Advice

Choose your expertise. Shape your strategy. Strengthen your business

With CBASS, you have the flexibility to select the expertise you need exactly when you need it. Our Virtual Board model gives you access to experienced business leaders, people who have built and grown organisations in the real world, without the long term cost of appointing a full time director. You receive the insight, challenge and strategic clarity of genuine experts at a fraction of the usual expense. This tailored approach ensures you are supported by the right specialist at the right moment in your journey, providing trusted guidance that strengthens decisions, shapes strategy and helps your business move forward with confidence.

Case Studies

Scotherbs

Scotherbs is Scotland’s leading grower and supplier of fresh herbs, serving supermarkets, wholesalers and food manufacturers. Facing challenging market conditions, the business needed to reduce waste across its operation to protect margins and remain competitive. Scotherbs partnered with Resource Efficient Scotland and worked closely with Ray McCreadie, who introduced Lean Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement methods to help the team rethink their processes from end to end.

Using tools such as DMAIC and large-scale process mapping, the team identified where waste was occurring and introduced practical, measurable improvements. In the first year alone, Scotherbs achieved savings of around £60,000, but the wider value came from embedding new ways of working across the business. Senior managers received coaching that strengthened their project management skills and helped shift the culture towards continuous improvement. Staff across the site became more engaged, more confident and more involved in problem solving.

The changes reduced overtime, improved raw material usage and enhanced product quality. Customers felt the benefit, and the management team gained the tools and confidence to continue driving improvement. Scotherbs now operates on a stronger and more efficient foundation, with a more empowered workforce and a clearer path for growth.

John Chapman

John Chapman, a specialist manufacturer of luxury leather and canvas bags in Carlisle, has established a strong reputation over 25 years, supplying premium goods to customers in the UK, the United States and Japan. Although highly skilled, the business wanted to increase productivity, strengthen its retail focus and develop a more scalable operational structure. To support this, manufacturing specialist Ray McCreadie was brought into the business.

Ray introduced new systems, dashboards and working practices that empowered staff to take ownership of their areas and understand performance in real time. Although he was not a bag maker, his manufacturing background allowed him to streamline processes, giving craftspeople more time to focus on quality and creativity. The results were impressive, with productivity rising by 27 per cent.

Following this success, Ray was invited to join the board, bringing long-term strategic value and operational expertise into the leadership team. His work has supported the company’s ambition to grow its retail presence, expand its brand visibility and strengthen its position as a recognised Cumbrian manufacturer of high-end goods.

The transformation has helped John Chapman modernise its operation while preserving the craftsmanship and heritage at the heart of the brand.

Starter Package

Our Virtual Board Member Starter Package provides forward-thinking businesses with structured strategic oversight and practical guidance designed to support sustainable growth. By offering access to experienced board-level professionals, we help organisations navigate key challenges, strengthen decision-making, and unlock new opportunities with confidence. This introductory level of support ensures clarity, accountability, and direction without the full cost of an in-house board. Each session focuses on identifying priorities, reviewing performance, and shaping actionable plans that keep your business moving forward. CBASS delivers insight without jargon, challenge without friction, and reassurance without compromise, ensuring leaders feel supported, prepared, and equipped to take their organisation to the next stage

Standard Package

Our Virtual Board Member Standard Package offers a deeper level of strategic engagement, providing businesses with consistent guidance, structured accountability, and broader oversight across core operational and commercial areas. With regular board-level input, leaders gain a clearer understanding of performance, risks, and opportunities, supported by experienced professionals who bring real-world insight to every discussion. This package strengthens governance, enhances decision-making, and helps refine long-term plans with a focus on measurable progress and sustainable growth. CBASS works closely with your leadership team to challenge assumptions, refine strategies, and ensure momentum is maintained throughout the year. It is an ideal option for organisations seeking dependable, proactive support that evolves with the needs of the business.

Bespoke Package

Our Bespoke Virtual Board Services are designed for businesses that require a fully tailored approach, adapting board-level expertise to suit specific challenges, ambitions, and operational realities. This flexible option allows organisations to shape the level of support they need, from targeted interventions and project-specific oversight to comprehensive strategic partnership. Each engagement is built around your priorities, ensuring that guidance is relevant, actionable, and aligned with the unique dynamics of your organisation. CBASS works collaboratively with your leadership team to address complex issues, unlock growth opportunities, and provide clarity in areas that demand deeper specialist insight. This bespoke model ensures maximum value, delivering exactly the right level of strategic input at the right time.