B.Eng (Hons)
Engineering with Management
Napier University
About Andrew
Curious about business.
Committed to people.
I enjoy solving problems, working with ambitious people and seeing a business find its stride.
My career has taken me from engineering and operational leadership to international growth, board advisory and coaching.
Thirty years of learning what makes businesses work.
I began in programming and engineering, moving into team leadership and operations while completing my MBA. Later roles took me into satellite communications, publishing, commercial leadership and fibre-optic sensing technology.
At RigNet, I progressed into senior regional leadership and then VP of Strategic Initiatives. Since establishing BDB15 in 2018, I have advised or worked directly with 31 businesses across different sectors and stages of development.
My experience includes six raises and two exits, as well as the difficult realities of an administration. I bring that breadth to the decisions founders and leadership teams face today.
Beyond the role
Always curious.
I’m a husband, father and grandfather, with a cocker spaniel who remains as lively as ever. I enjoy vintage vinyl, music and playing a number of instruments with more enthusiasm than expertise.
I’m fascinated by technology and mechanical machinery, and I enjoy a good conversation. That curiosity shapes how I work: asking questions, listening carefully and finding out what really matters.
Education and professional development
MBA
University of Strathclyde Graduate Business School
Board development
Financial Times “Effective Non-Exec Director” programme
IoD ambassador since October 2026
Career perspective
A career built across different business stages.
- Early career
Engineering, systems and people
Programming and engineering roles developed into team leadership and operations in an aero-engine overhaul business, alongside an MBA completed in 2000.
- Operational leadership
Communications and publishing
Roles in offshore satellite communications, Atlantic Telecom and HarperCollins brought experience of service delivery, organisational change and customer relationships.
- Commercial development
Enterprise, sale and international technology
Consulting and business development were followed by leadership at Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, commercial work at Chloride Masterpower and operations at Omnisens in Switzerland.
- Before 2018
Regional growth at RigNet
Eight years progressing through regional leadership to VP of Strategic Initiatives, connecting commercial strategy with international operations.
- 2018 onwards
BDB15 Limited
Fractional, advisory and coaching work with businesses at different stages. By October 2026, 31 businesses advised or worked with directly.
- October 2026
Institute of Directors ambassador
A new appointment alongside ongoing fractional leadership, coaching and board work.
How I work
Listen carefully. Ask clearly. Follow through.
Start with the customer
A business needs a clear understanding of who it serves and why its offer matters. That understanding should shape the strategy.
Bring people with you
A strategy needs company buy-in. I work with leaders and teams to translate direction into shared priorities.
Make difficult discussions useful
An independent perspective can help separate the issue from the emotion, giving people a clearer basis for a decision.
Keep the role clear
Coaching, advice, governance and executive delivery each serve a different purpose. I am explicit about the role the business needs me to play.