March 2026 Matt Smith: Championing Commerce Without Compromise Matt Smith recognised as Most Influential CEO of the Year 2026 - Ecommerce. A recognised disruptor of the B2B commerce landscape, and one of the rare leaders with both the credibility and the courage to speak truth to power. From spearheading employee-owned transformation at global B2B agencies to igniting strategic reinvention at Symphony Commerce, now powering complex B2B commerce at scale, Matt blends battlefield wisdom with unflinchingly candid insight. We caught up with Matt to discuss why 2026 will mark a decisive turning point for B2B ecommerce, and why businesses still operating on compromised infrastructure are running out of time.
Welcome to the March 2026 issue of CEO Monthly. We are delighted to bring a selection of news, features, and success stories to our readers around the world. As we all know, CEOs are absolutely integral to the health of any company. From guiding their teams to making those all-important business decisions, CEOs continue to be the make or break of the enterprises of the corporate world. One shining example of brilliance is our cover feature, Matt Smith. Matt is a dedicated individual whose work is synonymous with excellence for business progression and transformation. He guides Symphony Commerce to new heights and we’re proud to name him Most Influential CEO for eCommerce in 2026. With a plethora of CEO success stories, including the dazzling work of a compassionate non-profit CEO, an empowering hair care brand’s CEO, executive development CEO, and so many others, this issue is sure to inspire! Sofi Parry, Senior Editor Website: www.ceo-review.com AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility.
4. News - Changes to the Adecco Group Board of Directors - SCORE Announces Thomas U. Kim as Executive Director 6. Ominira Naturals: Freedom for Afro Hair 7. Symphony Commerce: Matt Smith- Championing Commerce Without Compromise 9. When You Wish Upon A Star: The CEO Proving That Dreams Can Come True 10. London Strategy Centre: The Top Guns of Capability Transformation and Organisational Strategy 11. ConservAqua: Heading up the UK’s Innovative and Independent Water Retailer 12. Six Star Plus: Supporting Sustainable Growth for People, Industries, and Communities Contents
NEWS Changes to the Adecco Group Board of Directors
SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, announced the appointment of Thomas U. Kim, MSW, MBA, as Executive Director. Kim will lead the organization in advancing its mission to foster vibrant small business communities through mentoring, education, and strategic partnerships, with a focus on expanding impact, strengthening operations, and aligning national strategy with local delivery. Kim brings more than 20 years of senior leadership experience across nonprofit, government, and private-sector organizations. A decorated U.S. Army combat veteran and transformation leader, he is known for aligning strategy with execution, stabilizing complex organizations, and driving sustainable growth while strengthening financial and operational performance. He has served as CEO, president, and chief operating officer for national and regional nonprofits, led large-scale publicsector reform initiatives, and advanced governance and organizational effectiveness. “Thomas is a decisive, values-driven leader with the rare ability to navigate complexity while delivering measurable results,” said Julie Poland, Board Chair of SCORE. “His depth of experience, commitment to public service, and strong operational discipline make him exceptionally well-suited to lead SCORE into its next chapter of growth and impact. The Board is confident that under his leadership, SCORE will continue to strengthen its national reach while supporting entrepreneurs at the local level.” Kim’s commitment to SCORE’s mission is deeply personal. “Entrepreneurship changed the trajectory of my family’s life,” said Kim. “My single mother worked multiple jobs before starting her own business, so I saw firsthand how small businesses create stability, dignity, and a path to upward mobility. When entrepreneurs are equipped with practical guidance and accountability, they are far more likely to succeed. Small businesses power job creation, strengthen communities, and fuel America’s economic growth. I’m honored to join SCORE in supporting entrepreneurs who are ready to build, grow, and contribute to their local economies.” Kim holds executive education credentials from the Wharton School of Business, an MBA, and a Master of Social Work. He is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. SCORE Announces Thomas U. Kim as Executive Director • Three new Board members to be proposed: Tobias Knechtle, Matthias Rebellius and Jacques Sanche • Longstanding members Kathleen Taylor and Didier Lamouche not standing for re-election to the Board • Jean-Christophe Deslarzes, Chair of the Board of Directors, standing for re-election for a final term The Adecco Group (SIX: ADEN), the leading talent and technology consulting company, today announced that the Board of Directors will propose Tobias Knechtle, Matthias Rebellius and Jacques Sanche as new members for election at the Company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 15, 2026. Longstanding members Kathleen Taylor and Didier Lamouche, who joined the Board in 2015 and 2011 respectively, are not standing for re-election. Jean-Christophe Deslarzes, Chair of the Board of Directors, the Adecco Group, said: “I thank Katie Taylor and Didier Lamouche on behalf of the Company and the Board of Directors for their significant strategic guidance and support to the Group. They have been outstanding Board members and have substantially contributed to the constructive collaboration with management. I wish them all the best for their future endeavors. “As part of our ongoing Board member succession planning, we are delighted to propose Tobias Knechtle, Matthias Rebellius and Jacques Sanche to our Board. Having served as CFO in several publicly listed companies, Tobias Knechtle will further enhance the Board’s financial acumen. Matthias Rebellius and Jacques Sanche have significant CEO experience. All three bring deep technology and digital expertise, which strongly complements the Board’s capabilities and will support the Group’s pioneering AI agenda.” Tobias Knechtle has been CFO and member of the Executive Board of Geberit since 2022 and has had Board and audit committee chair experience at V-Zug since 2020. Prior to Geberit, Tobias served as CFO of the Valora Group as well as their ad interim CEO. Previously, he held senior finance roles at Kudelski Group and was Managing Director Germany for Cinven Private Equity. He started his career as internal auditor at Nestlé and spent seven years as a consultant at the Boston Consulting Group in Switzerland and Brazil. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Bern, Switzerland, and is a Swiss citizen. The Adecco Group will be the only external board mandate for Tobias Knechtle. Matthias Rebellius has been CEO Siemens Smart Infrastructure and a member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG, Chair of the Board of Siemens Switzerland and member of the Board of the publicly listed Siemens India Ltd since 2020. He has also been a member of the Supervisory Board of the publicly listed, independent Siemens Energy AG, since 2020. He joined Siemens in 1990 and has held roles of increasing seniority across the industrial automation, building technologies and smart infrastructure businesses in Germany, the US and Switzerland. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Trier University of Applied Sciences, Germany, and is a German and Swiss citizen. Matthias Rebellius has chosen to step down from his executive roles for Siemens AG at the end of September to concentrate on his non-executive career. Jacques Sanche has been CEO at Bucher Industries AG since 2016. He has also been Chair of the Board of Directors of Burkhardt Compression since December 2025. Previously, he was CEO of Belimo Holding AG for eight years. He started his career as a consultant, amongst others at the Boston Consulting Group in Germany. He then had several general management roles with increasing profit and loss responsibility at WMH - Walter Meier Group in Switzerland and the US. He was a member of the Board and chair of the nomination and compensation committee of Schweiter Technologies for fifteen years. He holds a Master of Business Administration and a PhD in Information Technologies from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, and is a Canadian and Swiss citizen. Jacques Sanche has decided to step down from his executive role at the end of April to concentrate on his non-executive career. Jean-Christophe Deslarzes, the Chair of the Board of Directors, will stand for reelection for a final term that will run until the 2027 AGM, when he plans to step down after twelve years as a board member, including seven as Chair. The following Board members will also stand for re-election: Rachel Duan, Martine Ferland, Stefano Grassi, Sandhya Venugopal and Regula Wallimann.
Feature ‘Ominira’ translates from Yoruba to ‘freedom’, and that’s exactly what Ominira Naturals delivers as it supports those who have long endured difficulties with taking care of, and embracing, their hair. Many Black people have used chemical relaxants to ‘tame’ their hair, especially as the beauty industry made no room for their hair in its natural state. For a very long time, Afro hair has not been appreciated or even researched but Janet Davies, CEO and Founder of Ominira Naturals, is here to change that. “We are called to serve people with Afro hair.” Afro hair is characterised by tight curls or coils which grow upwards and outwards rather than down. This is due to their elliptical or curved follicles, in comparison to the round follicles of straight hair. From S- to Z-shaped, Afro hair grows in a spiral or zigzag patten and can be dryer due to the follicular structure which makes it difficult to get oils into each strand. This can result in hair ends being dry and fragile, and many people have struggled to find the right products that help them to embrace their natural hair. This is due to the lack of research when it comes to Black hair, and the ‘beauty standards’ which has pushed Afro hair aside. However, with Ominira Naturals this can be a thing of the past. This innovative hair care company is liberating countless individuals as its products reach people from all continents. We’re delighted to explore not only how the business is flourishing but how its CEO and Founder Janet Davies is impacting people across the map. Ominira Naturals is built on the core pillars of nature backed by science, community, and pride in the significance of Black hair. These pillars stand as the very foundation of all the company does, all of the products it creates, and everything its team does to support communities around the world. We shouldn’t have to sacrifice our health for beauty, and Ominira Naturals ensures that beauty and health go hand in hand. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry, from the University of Nottingham, Janet is no stranger to studying the components and composition of living organisms. Here she leads Ominira Naturals with science and nature united. Marrying the two, Janet has created a company that is both natural and backed by science, resulting in products that work while promoting good health. Janet is now working on even more discoveries in relation to hormonal and metabolic health, with a goal to help serve those going through menopause. For those experiencing hair loss, thinning, alopecia, and other hair issues, Ominira Naturals is there. In addition, Janet continues to dedicate herself to the business and the community it serves as the company steps nearer its sixth year anniversary. Ominira truly cares about its customers and Janet is a firm believer that every interaction is a mutual exchange of Freedom for Afro Hair energy from one person to another. She and her team work tirelessly to empower individuals on their journey to better health and confidence, and together they solve problems with compassion, care, and positive impact at the core. Janet was recently recognised in the Black British Business Awards (BBBA), in 2025, for her dedication to helping people to take good care of their textured hair, to feel free from limiting beauty standards, and to feel proud of their hair and their heritage. Now, from us at CEO Monthly, it’s a pleasure to shine a spotlight on the Ominira Naturals as Janet is looking for more opportunities to connect with customers face to face, and provide even more beauty products that empower people. Janet leads her team with pride and support for the community which surrounds them. This is a perfect example of how leaders can affect overall business output as well as the customer journey, and it’s a delight to showcase the excellence Janet delivers through her deep rooted specialism in her industry. Here’s to even more growth and a fruitful future for Ominira Naturals, it’s time for problem solving, a richer community feel, and, of course, the freedom to express who we are. Contact: Janet Davies Company: Ominira Naturals Website: ominiranaturals.com LinkedIn: janet idowu davies
CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2026 7 Matt Smith: Championing Commerce Without Compromise For too long, B2B companies have been forced to operate on platforms that have either been designed for retail or stitched together through middleware, plugins, and partner workarounds. Utilising these inefficient platforms often results in unnecessary complexities, costs, and commercial drag. Symphony Commerce was established to solve this ongoing challenge, an exclusively B2B company with a sole focus on the operational reality of manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors. Symphony Commerce proudly works in close collaboration with wholesalers, distributors, resellers, and brands, designing and implementing digital solutions that integrate seamlessly with their existing business infrastructure. The company serves as a dedicated partner, elevating each client’s business through innovative, tailored solutions that work in complete cohesion and align with their unique needs. Across its projects, the Symphony Commerce team remains dedicated to achieving excellence in every partnership, regardless of a client’s size or scope. At the helm of this mission is Matt Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Symphony Commerce. As CEO, Matt’s role ultimately lies in creating the conditions for growth. He is responsible for setting the team’s direction, building the right leadership environment, protecting commercial discipline, and ensuring that Symphony Commerce remains aligned with a clear, strategic path. Matt has always been drawn to building; earlier in his career, he founded and scaled businesses across marketing and technology, navigating growth, funding, acquisitions, and exits. “Those experiences taught me more than any classroom ever could,” he told us. “You learn quickly when payroll depends on your decisions. I have seen the good, the bad, and the avoidable. I have inherited businesses in difficulty and helped reposition them for growth. That pattern has followed me into Symphony Commerce.” When Matt first joined Symphony Commerce, the company possessed strong technology but needed sharper commercial structure and leadership cohesion. This did not deter the new CEO; transforming potential into performance is the work Matt enjoys most. With unrivalled determination and a focus on prioritising calibrated pressure, Matt oversaw Symphony Commerce’s transformation and learned that the best organisations are not built through bursts of intensity, but through consistent, disciplined execution. Since stepping into the role in 2024, Matt has made significant strides in repositioning Symphony Commerce from a capable platform into a serious enterprise contender. Under his leadership, the company has refined its pricing, strengthened its go-to-market strategy, expanded its suite of products, and significantly improved leadership alignment. What’s more, Symphony Commerce has earned increasing recognition as a thought leader, with speaking invitations, strategic partnerships, and investor interest speaking to a company that is gaining momentum. Looking to the future, the next chapter of Symphony Commerce is centred on controlled acceleration. The company is investing heavily in automation, AI-driven workflows, and composable infrastructure, as products such as Tempus, Nexus, and Conductor continue to reshape how B2B businesses operate. Alongside this, international expansion is also on the agenda, particularly in places like America, where demand for specialist B2B platforms steadily rises. In regard to Matt’s own career, the CEO remains motivated to build businesses that outperform expectations. Matt has significantly transformed Symphony Commerce, and the wider eCommerce landscape, in just two years of serving as its CEO, and we at CEO Monthly magazine cannot wait to see what is next for the entrepreneur named Most Influential eCommerce CEO 2026. “For now, my focus is firmly on Symphony Commerce and ensuring it realises the potential we all see,” he shared. “Beyond that, I have a strong interest in AI and its practical application across commercial environments. The intersection of intelligence and infrastructure will define the next generation of great companies. I intend to be close to that evolution.” Contact: Matt Smith Company: Symphony Commerce Web Address: www.symphonycommerce.io Dec25076 No longer the slow-moving cousin of retail, B2B commerce is becoming an arena in which some of the most sophisticated digital transformation is occurring. Symphony Commerce exists within this space to help ambitious businesses move quickly and modernise their operations so that they can succeed in an ever-evolving landscape. As CEO Matt Smith earns recognition in the Most Influential CEO Awards 2026, we caught up with him to learn more about his journey to leading this pioneering platform.
CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2026 8 THE HOME OF FANDOM EVERY COLLECTIBLE TELLS A STORY, EVERY PIECE HOLDS A MEMORY, AND EVERY FAN FINDS A HOME. AT SPEEDY COMICS, WE CREATE EXPERIENCES THAT BRING COLLECTIBLES TO LIFE AND CONNECT FANS TO THEIR PASSIONS. FROM EXCLUSIVE RELEASES TO CURATED OFFERINGS, EVERYTHING WE DO IS DESIGNED TO EVOKE EMOTION AND SPARK CURIOSITY. AWARDED MOST INFLUENTIAL CEO 2025 - FANDOM & COLLECTIBLES EXPERIENCE (UAE) BY CEO MONTHLY
CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2026 9 The CEO Proving That Dreams Can Come True A wish has the extraordinary power to inspire hope and transform lives. For a child facing a lifethreatening illness, a wish becomes a spark of possibility that uplifts their spirit and gives them something to look forward to. This is a belief championed by When You Wish Upon A Star, a charity dedicated to bringing joy and hope to children during difficult times. As CEO Joe Williamson is named in the Most Influential CEO Awards 2026, we caught up with him to learn more. “At a time when life can feel overwhelming and uncertain, we exist to make dreams come true and to remind families that happiness, magic, and hope are still possible.” Since 1990, When You Wish Upon A Star has proudly granted more than 19,000 wishes for children facing lifethreatening illnesses across the UK. The charity was founded by Barbara White CIOF OBE, who became inspired after meeting a seriously ill four-year-old who dreamt of meeting Mickey Mouse. This encounter lit a spark within Barbara to bring smiles to the faces of many more brave children throughout the country, and When You Wish Upon A Star was born. “Each wish embodies compassion and hope,” Joe told us. “We approach each child’s dream with empathy and understanding, tailoring every detail to their unique needs and circumstances. Our work is a reminder that, even in challenging times, there is joy, kindness, and possibility in the world. Wishes are living expressions of compassion and hope, giving children and families the courage to face each day with optimism and the belief that magical, life-changing experiences are possible.” Joe Williamson’s journey to CEO is one that has been shaped as much by personal experience as it has by professional ambition. Joe became a father at just 20 years old, a moment that fundamentally shifted his outlook on life and responsibility. This new role provided him with a strong sense of purpose and a desire to build a career that was not only successful, but truly meaningful. He shared: “I wanted my work to stand for something and make a positive difference.” This motivation led Joe to qualify as a teacher, where he developed a deep understanding of the importance of care, empathy, and believing in potential, particularly within young people. From there, he moved into management roles within charitable foundations, progressing quickly as he sought opportunities to learn, grow, and take on greater responsibility. At every stage, Joe was driven by a simple principle: to do better than he had done before. Joe joined When You Wish Upon A Star in 2025, where he leads his team with trust, empathy, and empowerment. Central to this is the ability to adapt to individual learning and working styles, and the understanding that no two people are the same. With this, Joe takes the time to understand how each member of his team learns, communicates, and becomes motivated. By structuring his approach, whether through coaching, mentoring, or simply listening, Joe helps each individual grow in a way that works for them. “My advice to budding CEOs is simple but often underestimated: prioritise culture and people above everything else,” he stated. “Qualifications, training, and technical expertise matter, but they will never outperform a healthy, engaged, and motivated organisation. People are the true engine of success. Ultimately, a healthy organisation will always outperform a smart one. If you get the culture right, the results will follow.” Maintaining this culture will be a critical component of Joe’s future plans. Following his recent recognition as the Midlands’s Most Influential Charity and Non-Profit CEO 2026, the CEO intends to continue making a positive impact wherever he can. For his team, this means continuing to foster a happy, empowered, and engaged workforce where people can grow, thrive, and do their best work. For children and families, it means ensuring that every wish the team grants is as magical and life changing as possible. In the same vein, When You Wish Upon A Star has a number of incredibly exciting plans for the next 12 months and beyond that will allow the team to build on their mission and reach even more children and families. The charity will launch its new three-year strategy at the end of 2026, which will set the direction and ensure continued excellence in wish granting. This strategy will focus on deepening impact, strengthening culture, and creating more opportunities to make wishes truly extraordinary. To learn how you can get involved in transforming the lives of children facing life-threatening illnesses, get in touch with When You Wish Upon A Star today. Contact: Joe Williamson Company: When You Wish Upon A Star Web Address: whenyouwishuponastar.org.uk Photography: Carla Whittingham
CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2026 10 ondon Strategy Centre mission is clear: to transform organisational intelligence, capability, and performance, not through episodic programmes, but by intervening directly in how organisations think, decide, and execute in real work. Rather than separating learning from the workplace, LSC embeds transformation inside it. Leaders develop capability while working on live strategic priorities, real operational bottlenecks, and high-stakes decisions that carry consequence. The shift happens where performance actually happens. This is the firm’s defining difference. Most executive development improves individuals in isolation. LSC strengthens the organisational system itself. It focuses not only on what leaders know, but on how decisions flow, how accountability is structured, how alignment is maintained, and how judgement holds under pressure. Because performance rarely fails due to lack of knowledge — it fails in the architecture of execution. At the centre of this model is a disciplined integration of people, practice, and technology — in that order. Leadership judgement, integrity, and ownership come first. Organisational practice ensures clarity in decision rights, escalation logic, and crossfunctional coherence. Technology, specifically Agentic AI, strengthens the organisation’s ability to sense, interpret, and decide with precision — without replacing human accountability. It is here that London Strategy Centre is pushing the boundaries of executive development globally. While many providers experiment with AI as a tool for content delivery or digital coaching, LSC implements Agentic AI as operational intelligence. Intelligent systems are embedded directly into live leadership environments, acting as structured thinking partners. They challenge assumptions, stress-test tradeoffs, simulate consequences, and expose blind spots — while leaders remain fully responsible for the outcome. Transformation begins with visibility. Agentic sensing systems analyse how strategy is interpreted across layers, where decision latency accumulates, and where alignment degrades. Leaders gain clarity about structural friction before investing in change. Insight is grounded in operational reality, not perception. The Top Guns of Capability Transformation and Organisational Strategy Executive development is at a turning point. Organisations have more content, more frameworks, and more leadership programmes than ever before — yet decision quality is declining, strategy fragments in execution, and transformation efforts stall under pressure. London Strategy Centre was built to address that gap. Organisations searching for a meticulous blend of implementation, judgement, and execution across these services can find it at London Strategy Centre, spearheaded by Dr Imran Zawwar. With Dr Zawwar being recognised as the Most Influential CEO 2026 – Executive Development (UK) & London Strategy Centre being named the Best Executive Strategy & Capability Development Centre 2026 – UK, we take a closer look at both. Behavioural transformation then unfolds in real time. Leaders bring active strategic and operational challenges into structured decision environments. Agentic AI interrogates reasoning, forces explicit prioritisation, and strengthens judgement under uncertainty. The stakes are real. The feedback is immediate. The learning compounds because it is embedded in action. At the centre of this evolution is Dr Zawwar. As CEO, his role is not defined by hierarchy or visibility, but by responsibility — carrying the weight of direction, shaping the culture, and safeguarding the outcomes clients expect. With the pace of technological change accelerating, leadership at this level is critical. While many fear being left behind technologically, Dr Zawwar recognises a deeper risk: mistaking novelty for progress. LSC’s discipline lies in staying ahead without chasing noise, ensuring that technology remains the enabler, never the strategy itself. As for his own next steps, Dr Zawwar commented: “For me, the next phase isn’t about chasing more titles or visibility. It’s about depth, legacy, and leverage. I want to build on what we’ve created by strengthening the organisation so it can scale beyond any one individual, developing leaders who can operate with judgement and integrity in complex environments, and ensuring the work we do has lasting relevance.” A big part of this is LSC investing in AI, especially agentic AI, as an operational partner. More than abstract possibilities or operating at the edges of this space, LSC is already deploying agentic systems in real organisational contexts. Thus, in closing, Dr Zawwar reaffirmed: “We sit at the intersection of leadership, strategy, and agentic AI and we execute. That combination is rare, and it’s defining our trajectory right now.” L Contact: Dr Imran Zawwar Company: London Strategy Centre Web Address: londonstrategycentre.com
CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2026 11 Heading up the UK’s Innovative and Independent Water Retailer With business customers in England now able to choose their water provider in the same way the choose their energy and internet provider, the world of water looks very different to what it did a decade ago. Helping customers to make the most of the possibilities this brings is ConservAqua. With Mark Hanlon, its founder and CEO, being named the Most Influential CEO 2026 – Water Retail Services (UK) in this feature, we caught up with him for more on his company’s work. As many people in the UK are aware, 2017 saw the water retail market open for competition in England, meaning that more than a million business, charity, and public-sector customers are able to choose their water and wastewater providers. The biggest industry shake-up since Margaret Thatcher privatised the UK’s water industry in 1989, this change has meant that these customers can shop around and negotiate the best deal for them, rather than having to access water through their regional monopolies. The exciting opportunities this shift has brought about has helped to keep costs down, raise awareness surrounding water efficiency, and improve customer services in the industry, not to mention increasing the competition and all the benefits that come along with the drive to stay ahead. It is from this competition that ConservAqua emerged in 2019, offering tailored packages to non-household, high-use customers concerning their water supply, specifically in reducing water and waste, thereby saving money and the planet. ConservAqua may provide Water & Environmental Specialists who specialise in cutting down on water and wastewater, but this is just the beginning of how it helps save the planet’s most precious resource. For example, it also delivers monthly reporting and analysis on water usage, smart water readings, water efficiency advice, e-billing/ consolidated billing, and bill validation. The services of an expert trade effluent team are also available; with all water enquiries a customer has being handled by a dedicated Account Manager. Mark Hanlon is the man at the helm here, having founded the company and served as its CEO since it opened its doors in late 2019. Mark brings more than two decades of experience in developing businesses and managing teams to this role, with his primary responsibility being to oversee the delivery of these tailored water supply solutions, making sure the service attached to them not only meets but exceeds the expectations of customers. Since day one, the aim at ConservAqua has been to reflect the relentless pursuit of innovation and customer satisfaction sought out in the utilities sector, and Mark has embodied this to the full. His journey here has been defined by the growth and excellence he has fostered, a common theme over the course of his career. Mark spent almost 20 years at One Point Communications, which he cofounded back in 1999. By the time the company was sold, it had a turnover of £6 million and employed more than 20 members of staff, a testament to Mark’s ability to grow a business from nothing. ConservAqua has enjoyed similar success over the past 5 years, spurred on by initiatives including the user-friendly Aqua Manager online portal, released to give customers comprehensive visual reporting of their water usage. Just some of the companies to benefit from these services include football clubs, golf courses, and racecourses. Mark Hanlon founded the company with only two members of staff. Five years later, ConservAqua employs over 30 members of staff and has achieved a turnover of approximately £30 million. His response to this success is simple: “I don’t build companies; I build teams that build my company for me.” With a very hands-on approach, he pushes his team to develop their skills and supports them in every way he can. His philosophy is clear: clients always come first, ConservAqua second, staff third, and he is always the last priority. Personally, he enjoys seeing the development and progression of his staff within the organisation, offering direction and advice drawn from his many years of experience as a CEO. Taking a closer look at its work in action, one happy customer shared their story of working with Mark and the ConservAqua team: “We were called about six months ago by Mark, who alerted us to the anomalies in our water bills, and it turns out he was spot on. He was so sure that he arranged for a data logger to be fitted on our water meter and engaged his Technical Director to conduct a site survey at our hotel. The survey report confirmed the extent of the leaks, outlining that we could be due £8k in potential refunds.” On the back of this, the customer continued: “We have now switched our water supply to ConservAqua as they delivered on all their promises. I would recommend ConservAqua to any other businesses looking for a new water supplier in a heartbeat. The service we have received from the management has been outstanding and we are very happy.” There are many more examples like this, with the team here handling issues with suppliers from all over the UK quickly and effectively for their customers. Without Mark Hanlon, none of this would be possible. It is for this reason that we are delighted to recognise him as the Most Influential CEO 2026 - Water Retail Services (UK) in this feature. More on Mark’s major impact can be found below. Contact: Mark Hanlon Company: ConservAqua Web Address: conservaqua.co.uk
CEO MONTHLY / MARCH 2026 12 t its core, Six Star Plus aims to make sustainable living achievable, practical, and affordable for Victorian homes whilst simultaneously using its growth to create meaningful social and community impact. Since 2018, and over time, the company has evolved into a multi-disciplinary business delivering solar PV, hot water heat pumps, hydronic heating, HRV systems, high-efficiency heating and cooling, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging. This journey has been led by CEO Lissa King, who has been with Six Star Plus since its inception. Lissa has learned through doing over the last 17 years in the building industry, beginning in the building industry and working with solar hot water to gain a deeper and practical understanding of the industry’s technical and human sides. As Six Star Plus evolved, Lissa grew alongside the business: learning how to support teams, navigate change, build strong partnerships, and adapt to the industry’s growing and shifting demands. As CEO, Lissa’s role spans strategic direction, industry advocacy, and culture. She is actively involved in shaping the long-term vision of Six Star Plus, working with government and industry bodies, supporting senior leadership, and ensuring that the company’s values are not only written but lived every day. In this role, Lissa upholds the philosophy that leadership is about responsibility, not position. Strong leaders create clarity, remove barriers, and genuinely care about the people they lead. “Over the years, my leadership style has evolved significantly,” Lissa told us. “Early on, it was about learning how to do everything. Today, it is about empowering others, trusting capability, and supporting individual strengths. I owe this role to two things: a team whose expertise and care set the standard, and an owner who has consistently trusted me to lead with integrity. That combination powers our results.” Under Lissa’s leadership, Six Star Plus enjoys an internal culture that is supportive, respectful, and health positive. Six Star Plus runs a fullyfunded Better Me Programme – which provides access to Pilates, tennis, personal training, and nutrition – maintains a small on-site gym for staff and their families, and provides EAP with free, confidential counselling. Furthermore, the company encourages the team to take daily outdoor walks and make small environmental actions such as litter collection because, as Lissa told us: “Little things, done consistently, add up.” Supporting Sustainable Growth for People, Industries, and Communities Based in Melbourne, Six Star Plus stands as a trusted provider of premium solar and energy solutions. Catering to homeowners, builders, and commercial clients alike, the company has earned a reputation for delivering quality, efficiency, and personalised services in every installation it undertakes. At the helm of this exceptional work is CEO Lissa King, who has been recognised alongside Six Star Plus in the 2026 Most Influential CEO Awards. In light of this significant success, we caught up with Lissa below for more information. What’s more, every member of the Six Star Plus team receives paid charity days that allows them to support causes that matter to them, such as feeding the homeless, helping animal shelters, planting trees, lyrebird counting, or packing food for families in crisis. These initiatives have helped to create a culture shaped by the belief that business success and social responsibility are not opposing goals and, when done well, they strengthen each other. “As we’ve grown, we’ve been able to give back more meaningfully,” Lissa told us. “We have donated and installed solar PV systems and hot water units for the Victorian Homeless Fund, supporting women and families escaping domestic violence and homelessness. We’ve supported wildlife shelters, including a joey kangaroo rescue, and responded quickly to emergency food and supply calls. These opportunities have shaped my outlook: success means very little if it isn’t shared.” For her influential leadership at Six Star Plus, Lissa has been named Australia’s Most Influential CEO 2026 in Renewable Energy and Sustainable Building Solutions. The CEO has strengthened the company’s position as a trusted renewable energy partner for clients across industries and has worked tirelessly to nurture a team that places an equal emphasis on corporate and community growth. Moving forward, Lissa will continue to learn whilst supporting the next wave of leaders inside the business, ultimately becoming a better leader, mentor, and advocate to those around her. As for Six Star Plus, the future is focused on strengthening builder partnerships, continuing to simplify compliance pathways, expanding integrated energy solutions, and deepening its community contribution. Following its recent recognition as Victoria’s Best Solar and Energy Solutions Provider 2026, Six Star Plus aims to grow sustainably, ensuring that its impact on people, industry, and community grows alongside the business. A Contact: Lissa King Company: Six Star Plus Web Address: www.sixstarplus.com.au
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