Simple. Structured.
Straight Talking
Business Advice.
Because running a business can be a lonely place…
Running a business can feel like standing on a mountain – amazing view, but not much company. Every decision rests on your shoulders. You’re expected to know everything, manage everyone, and somehow keep growing while the world keeps changing.
That’s why The Consulting Room exists. We bring business owners together to share ideas, challenges, and practical tools that actually move things forward.
What we stand for
Purpose
Do the right things, not just more things.
Simplicity
Cutting through noise to what matters most.
Growth
Building stronger businesses, step by step.
Community
Building relationships gives business real roots.
Learning
Keep learning, keep improving, keep growing.
Enjoy the Journey
Work hard, smile often, laugh along the way.
Clarity. Structure. Perspective.
We work with owner-managed businesses, from ambitious one-person operations to established companies with growing teams. Our approach is built around The 4 Circles of Business Success model: You, Your Business, The Market, and The Environment. When these stay aligned, your business stays healthy and your decisions stay clear.
You’ll find that everything we do – from workshops to one-to-ones – helps you work on your business, not just in it.
The Consulting Room difference
Because success isn’t just about growth — it’s about feeling less alone on the journey.
Simple
We strip away jargon and get to the real issues.
Structured
We offer simple tools to help you run your business.
Straight-talking
Honest, experienced advice without fluff.
Frameworks
You get the tools and frameworks that make sense for your business.
Network
You build a trusted network of peers who ‘get it’.
The three C’s
You rediscover clarity, confidence, and control.
How We Help You
Personalised Business Support
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Demystifying AI for Small Business
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The Consulting Room LIVE!
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Business Support Programme
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Meet Our
Team of Experts
Ready to help you achieve your business goals…
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Background and expertise
Style and approach
Outside of work
Michael Hardy
Background and expertise
My career began in the brewing industry, where I spent 14 years in senior sales and finance roles with an international brewery. I then became part of a management buy-out of Heritage Brands, taking on the role of Business Owner and Commercial Director, where I helped shape culture, write strategy, and lead sales and marketing before selling the business to Heineken. Alongside this, I chaired Salford University’s CPD joint venture for five years.
Since 2012, I’ve worked as a business coach, mentor, advisor, and non-executive director, supporting small business owners across sales, marketing, finance, and people development. I believe in creating practical, ambitious plans and acting as a critical friend to help business leaders stay on track to achieve them.
Style and approach
I’m a good listener, and my style is calm but firm and challenging. I enjoy working with owners and senior teams to build plans that stretch them but remain achievable, then supporting them in delivering results that align with both their business and life goals.
I’ve helped a construction company grow from £9m turnover with 40 staff to £35m with 160 employees, including over 20 apprentices, while enabling the owners to become less hands-on. I’ve also supported service businesses to increase profitability, strengthen processes, and develop their teams.
Outside of work
Outside of work, family and sport are my biggest motivators. I love spending time with my wife and daughters, and I’m an avid sports fan with a season ticket at Old Trafford. I follow Manchester United passionately, and I also support my local team, Newark & Sherwood United – The Highwaymen.
I’m inspired by Simon Sinek and the High Performance Podcast, both of which encourage me to keep learning and growing. Hosting the Business Podcast on Radio Newark has also been a great opportunity to challenge myself and share insights with a wider audience. And something most people don’t know about me: I trained as a chef and still enjoy spending weekends cooking for my family.
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Background and expertise
Style and approach
Outside of work
David O’Brien
Background and expertise
After leaving university, I started my career in sales before moving into IT implementation and training at Prudential. I then spent 17 years with a leading healthcare technology supplier, working across sales, learning and development, project management, and operations, before joining the senior leadership team and heading up a department of 100 customer-facing specialists across the UK.
In 2017, I began working with SME business owners and later founded The Consulting Room, originally as a support network during the Covid lockdown – a tough period for small businesses. My focus is on the three essentials of business – sales, people, and finance – and I draw on my management and L&D background to help leaders get the best out of employees, suppliers, and partners. I also speak at events and conferences on topics such as Emotional Intelligence, Communication, and multi-generation workplaces.
Style and approach
I know that being a business owner can feel like a lonely place, so my first role is often as a trusted listener. From there, I offer support and fresh ideas, and then hold clients accountable for the actions they commit to. My philosophy is that every business is different, which is why I use our 4 Circles of Business Success model to help owners design a plan that’s unique to them.
Earlier in my career, I was part of a leadership team that grew a business from 200 employees to 2,000 – lessons from that experience shape the advice I give today to businesses navigating growth.
Outside of work
Outside of work, I live by one of my key values: Enjoy the journey. For me, that often means time spent on amateur theatre – I’ve appeared in over 60 productions since my school days and have been fortunate to win a few acting awards along the way. Theatre has given me invaluable skills in storytelling, communication, and teamwork.
I’m also a lifelong sports fan, and one of the most influential books I’ve read is Winning by Clive Woodward. His meticulous and strategic approach to leading England Rugby offers lessons that apply far beyond sport.
A surprising fact: I spent a year living in France at the age of 21, where I was goalkeeper for the local football team. And as for football loyalties, I grew up just a short walk from Priestfield Stadium, the home of Gillingham FC. I’ve supported them since 1977, witnessing the highs and lows as they move between the lower divisions of the Football League.
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Background and expertise
Style and approach
Outside of work
Chris Needle
Background and expertise
I’ve spent the past 25 years in the food and drink industry, working across both SMEs and PLCs. My journey began in FMCG with Scottish & Newcastle/Heineken before moving into senior roles at Greencore, Freshtime, 2 Sisters Meal Solutions, Bernard Matthews, and Manor Fresh. I progressed from Account Management through to Sales and Commercial Director, and most recently spent three years running an £80m turnover food business as Managing Director.
Today, I run my own consultancy, working with owner-managers and business leaders to achieve their goals and tackle challenges. While my background is commercially biased, I’ve built leadership experience across all aspects of running a business – commercial, operations, finance, people, technical, sustainability, and strategy. My focus is on turnarounds, scale-ups, and strategy: knowing your ‘why,’ setting a clear direction, and dealing with the obstacles along the way.
Style and approach
I’d describe my style as considered, consistent, and appropriately challenging, with the aim of empowering people to learn, grow, and succeed. I believe anything is possible – shoot for the stars and we’ll reach the moon. I encourage business leaders to surround themselves with people who know more than they do, and to make confident decisions even when the answer is only 80% clear.
I’ve led turnarounds that saved businesses from closure and helped them double their value, but I’m equally proud of transforming dysfunctional teams into high-performing ones that deliver outstanding results.
Outside of work
Outside of work, I find my happy place with family and friends on a narrowboat along the Grand Union Canal – it’s impossible to be stressed at 2mph! I’m also a lifelong supporter of Kettering Town, the most famous team in non-league football. I’ve experienced the lows of financial struggle and the highs of standing among 16,001 fans in the FA Cup 4th round.
I draw inspiration from a mix of voices – business leaders like Stephen Bartlett and Richard Branson, but also thinkers with very different perspectives such as Ricky Gervais and Karl Pilkington. And one thing most people don’t know about me: despite appearances, I’m more sensitive on the inside than I look, and I have a passion for speed – whether on a motorbike, mountain bike, or behind the wheel.
Let’s start a conversation
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How We Help You
Personalised Business Support
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Book a meeting
Demystifying AI for Small Business
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Find a course
The Consulting Room LIVE!
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Join a group
Business Support Programme
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Meet Our
Team of Experts
Ready to help you achieve your business goals…
Michael Hardy
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David O’Brien
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Chris Needle
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