Lee Groombridge
Founder. Operator. Consultant. Author.
I’ve spent more than 20 years building, scaling, transforming and advising businesses.
My career has included Founder, CEO, Managing Director, COO/Integrator and Interim FD roles, with responsibility across business strategy, commercial performance, P&L, finance, operations, people and execution.
Today, my work sits principally across Groombridge Group, NLP Principles™ and selected board, founder and executive advisory work.
5x Author | Internationally Certified NLP Trainer – INLPTA
MORE About Me
Building Businesses. Improving Performance. Understanding Behaviour.
I started my career in digital and publishing before moving into entrepreneurship, building and operating businesses across digital media, technology, professional services and behavioural development.
My operating experience includes founding and scaling a business from £0 to mid seven-figure revenue within three years before leading it through acquisition; helping scale an organisation from 5 to 100+ people; leading post-acquisition integration and merger activity; building new commercial functions in existing organisations; and investing in and serving as founding COO of a technology start-up that raised seven figures in seed funding.
Alongside that operating experience, I have spent much of my career studying what actually enables people and organisations to perform. That has created a fairly simple lens through which I now view most business challenges:
BUSINESS STRATEGY → HUMAN BEHAVIOUR → EXECUTION
A strong strategy matters. So does the operating structure around it. And ultimately, organisations still rely on people making decisions, changing behaviour and consistently executing what needs to happen. That combination of commercial, operational and behavioural experience now shapes the work I do.
currently work...
Groombridge Group
Consultancy. Partnerships. Acquisitions
Groombridge Group is an operator-led business platform focused today primarily on Business Strategy, Transformation, Implementation and Performance Improvement.
The longer-term direction extends beyond traditional consultancy towards strategic partnerships and, over time, selective acquisitions and business value creation.
NLP Principles™
Internationally Accredited NLP Certification Training
NLP Principles is my specialist NLP and human-behaviour business, providing internationally accredited NLP certification training, professional education and applied behavioural development.
The work spans communication, behavioural change, leadership, performance, difficult conversations and the practical application of NLP in professional and personal contexts.
I am an Internationally Certified NLP Trainer through INLPTA, an ANLP NLP Trainer and Master Practitioner, and author of multiple books covering NLP, business, leadership and human behaviour.
You'll also find me...
Board, Founder & Executive Advisory
I also work selectively with founders, owners, boards and leadership teams where practical operator experience can add value.
This is most relevant around:
Business Strategy | Growth & Scaling | Operational & Financial Performance | Restructuring | Acquisition & Integration | Exit Preparation | Founder & Board Decision-Making
I am particularly interested in situations where there is a meaningful business challenge to solve rather than a requirement for generic coaching or advisory support.
SELECTED OPERATING HISTORY
More Than 20 Years Building & Leading Businesses
Think Clever Media / Content Ignite
2015-2017
Founder & MD / FD
Co-founded the native internet advertising business that gained investment in 2017 and later restructured to be acquired in 2018.
Lean Digital Media
2017-2019
CEO
Part of the C-Suite during an acquisition period in this B2B Digital Agency working closely with the Chairman reporting to the board.
AQAI
2019-2020
Chief Operations Officer & Seed Investor
A seed round Angel Investor of this Tech Start-up along with an interim period as the COO (EOS Integrator) to manage the finances, team & product.
ADIMIA
2010-2015
Founder & MD / FD
Co-founded an online advertising company that grew to a 7 figure T/O. The company gained investment in 2017 and later restructured.
Imagine Publishing
2006-2010
Founding Senior Team / Head of Interactive Media
Founding member of a publishing company that scaled to £MM in 3 years and 150 staff. Eventually sold to Future Publishing.
YALPOP
2024-2025
Co-Founder & CEO
An innovative AI-assisted online learning platform that optimises and accelerates learning by converting content into high-quality multi-modular courses, delivering dynamically personalised versions of each course to each individual based on their personal behaviour & cognitive preferences.
To learn more visit my Linkedin Profile
AUTHOR
Here are some books that I have written...
I’m an Author writing across business, leadership, NLP, resilience and human behaviour. New work currently in development through NLP Principles includes Human Behaviour Preferences and Difficult Conversations.
How to Succeed in Business with NLP Principles
A step-by-step guide to mastering business using human behaviour and psychology to get an unfair advantage.
Become an NLP Practitioner*
The complete Neuro Linguistic Programming syllabus and step-by-step guide to mastering NLP techniques.
*Amazon Bestseller
Get Resilience : Let's Do It!
7 Steps for a Cool, Calm and Collected You.
Lucid Thrive Plan
How to get clear on what you want, master your mindset & reverse engineer success.
Trusted by
Some Clients & Partners
Over the last 20 years I have worked with some great people and businesses...
TestimonIals
What people say about working with me...
“
Lee operates at a very high level. He's strategic and stoic as well as being someone who thrives on taking action. He lives and breathes integrity. I trust him and I enjoy time with him. Lee's one of those people who, put simply: you're better off for knowing.
Sam Dyer,
Coach & Director, Raven Dragon
“
Lee and I worked together through a very challenging transaction and I was taken aback by his unique and holistic approach to business. He’s not a maverick but a real game changer MD and leaves nothing to chance. Always inquisitive and keen to find out what he doesn’t know. Would definitely recommend and am looking forward to the next opportunity to work with him.
Andrew Pordage FCCA
PT FD & CFO, Regional Director The FD Centre
“
I've worked with Lee in quite a few businesses over the period of 15 years and have to say he is an all round top man! His keen eye for detail, professional manner and personable nature make him a pleasure to work with. I'm sure our paths will cross again, as they have many times before!
James Hanslip,
CEO, Lean Digital Media
“
Lee is an absolute inspiration. His vision and drive is a real guide on how to succeed in life. He has been instrumental in how I have forged my career and I owe a great deal to his advice and guidance which he gives unreservedly.
His sense of business and eye for detail has allowed him to reach the very top of his profession, influencing those around him and encouraging them to do well.
He balances all of this business acumen and professional work ethic with a wonderful personality.
Paul Hilton,
Senior Lecturer, Bournemouth Arts University
“
It's been a real pleasure working with Lee over a period of 10 years. He is a real motivator with an infectious enthusiasm and ambition to drive projects to their successful completion. He is a dedicated perfectionist, his knowledge is vast and thorough but most of all his approachable and personable manner is what sets him apart from the many.
Stuart Dixon,
Founder of Actio Digital |
The Ignited Man Podcast
“
If you're looking for a non-exec or a coach that will help you remove the blocks you have (wherever they are stemming from), with no fluff but data and iteration there is no one better than Lee. It’s that simple.
Lee Mallon,
Founder of Rarely Impossible
“
It’s rare that you come across someone as driven to succeed as Lee. I had the pleasure of working with him for the last 13-14 years across three companies. An extremely strong background in driving process, finance and legal understanding with a creative mind and background in development. Lee is a complete professional, dedicated and passionate about business. A great person to have worked with!
Ben Spencer,
COO, Lean Digital Media
“
I have the honour of knowing Lee for over 25 years. His level of awareness, sensitivity, care and intellect is what makes Lee such a fascinating person to know. I cannot imagine a single person that would not be able to comfortably connect with him and be fascinated from his insights. He is exceptionally astute. Its one thing a person being able to observe how and why you operate the way you do, but quite another for them to have the experience and skill to plan and facilitate the change you want to make in yourself.
Mike Barnett,
Founder of Medialounge
psychometrics psychology
Personal Character Traits & Preferences
If you use psychometric test results to see how people fit with you personally or in your teams below are some of mine. If you are not aware of what these tests are and would be interested in finding out what they all mean and maybe what your results would look like, feel free to get in touch.
KOLBE®
Natural Action Taking Instincts
8 7 2 3
Fact Finder
Specify
Follow Through
Systematise
Quick Start
Stabilse
Implementor
Imagine
Strategic Coach®
Simplifier
Able to help people simplify their complexity.
Perfect for collaboration with a Multiplier
Big 5 : OCEAN
Personal Traits
Openness
77%
Conscientiousness
73%
Extraversion
60%
Agreeableness
60%
Neuroticism
40%
MBTI®
INFJ-A (Advocate)
I : Introverted
N: Intuitive
F : Feeling
J : Judging
A : Advocate
Approach is with deep thoughtfulness and imagination.
DISC
Lead Behaviour is 'Clarity'
Drive
Takes charge & gets things done. Makes decisions & focuses on results.
Influence
Engages others and shares enthusiasm. Inspires and persuades others.
Support
Is helpful and shows care for others. Looks for ways to assist and serve.
Clarity
Works steadily and systematically. Focuses on order, accuracy and precision.
BIG FIVE
Personal Patterns
Core
A thinker that uses insight & creativity to help others.
Interpersonal
Friendly & amiable. Prefers close relations.
Communication
Enjoys expressing ideas & vision. Focuses on
future goals.
Motivation
Enjoys chasing goals & works hard to succeed.
EOS®
Integrator
Integrator : 98%
Visionary : 87%
If you would like copies of the full reports please contact me and I will be happy to send them to you.
Email me
Start a conversation with me...
my Favourite Quote at the moment
"What got you here, won't get you there"
Marshall Goldsmith