Nigel Rust, Business Mentor, Coach and Manufacturing Specialist.

He is now an independent Business Mentor and Coach specialising in small but growing businesses with a particular interest in fashion-related companies, having worked with both designers and manufacturers over the last few years, and having been instrumental, with Fashion Enter, City Fringe, The London College of Fashion and others in supporting the fashion sector during that time.

His background is in the printing/packaging industry and the machinery industry, including footwear and plastics machinery. Having graduated in Engineering from Imperial College, London, Nigel started work as a production engineer, moving into production management and then into sales & marketing before taking on a general management role for a medium sized group. This eventually led to running his own small business manufacturing machinery in a niche market.

The breadth of experience with large, medium and small businesses gives him a detailed understanding of all aspects of running a business. This includes an intimate, hands-on, knowledge of business strategy and planning, financial management, sales, marketing, and, of course, production, purchasing/supply chain management and, of course, for the growing business, personnel and team management.

Having run his own business Nigel is experienced in starting up, growing and establishing a brand – both in the home and export markets.

Mentoring is often about being able to combine strategic thinking with detailed, practical and tactical help. It is also about guidance and recognising when and where to seek specialised assistance. Most importantly it is about adding value. Nigel’s hands-on experience and flexible approach enables him to bring significant benefits and value to clients.