Southend, Essex

Operator.
Mediator.
Investor.
Acquirer.

Twenty years building businesses. Now I help other owners do the same.

What I can do for you The story
Luke Stillwell
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  • 20

    Years operating

  • 3

    Acquisitions completed

  • Qualified

    Mediator

  • Go-Do

    Jeremy Harbour practitioner

  • OSFC

    Chairman & Treasurer

The story

Two decades of operating, in the open.

I've been an owner-operator for 19 years. Founded businesses, run businesses, sold businesses, bought businesses, and wound down a few that should never have been started in the first place.

The pattern I've seen most often isn't bad markets or bad products. It's good operators trapped inside businesses that depend on them. Owners working harder every year for less.

The work I do now is the work I wish someone had done with me earlier. Mediate the disputes that block exits. Negotiate the deals that get them done. Invest where the operator is right. Acquire what's worth acquiring. And share what I've learned with rooms that want to hear it.

The toolkit is new. AI and automation now do the grunt work that used to swallow weeks. The thinking is still mine. The delivery is faster, sharper, and a fraction of what it would have cost ten years ago.

What you can book me for

Six practical ways I help operators.

Each one has its own page. Pick what fits and we'll talk.

Track record

Every venture, including the ones that didn't make it.

The closed ones taught me as much as the live ones. Operating for two decades isn't a CV — it's a body of work.

  • 07 Heaven Marketing

    Live

    AI-led marketing arm of the 07 Heaven group.

  • 07 Heaven Systems

    Live

    Automation and CRM build for SMEs.

  • 07 Heaven Acquisitions

    Live

    Successor to Valhalla Investments. Acquisition vehicle.

  • OSFC

    Live

    Old Southendian Football Club. Chairman and Treasurer.

  • Silver Fox Collectibles

    Asset sale

    Manufacturing rescue. Plan delivered. Asset sale executed.

  • PC Help IT

    Turnaround

    IT services business pulled out of the red. Plan delivered, route out of the hole.

  • Square 1 FM

    Sold

    Facilities management business. Exit completed.

  • Winns Services

    Non-exec

    Board seat. Strategic and operational guidance.

  • Paladin Personal Growth

    Asset sale

    Personal training and development project. Assets sold.

  • Neat & Sweet Clean

    Asset sale

    Cleaning services venture. Assets sold.

  • Premier Predictions

    Closed

    Sports prediction app. Build let down by the developer.

  • The Wedding Guide

    Closed

    Wedding planning resource. Closed during Covid.

What I'm building now

Four active vehicles.

Case studies

Three jobs that show how I work.

01

Technology — Mediation

Micro ID and RFID

Two business owners who couldn't work together and couldn't move forward. I came in, mediated, and structured an exit. Both walked away with exactly what they wanted. Both happy.

Mediation

02

IT Services — Turnaround

PC Help IT

£96,000 in the red. I came in, reframed the cost base, delivered a recovery plan, and walked the business out of the hole.

Turnaround

03

Manufacturing — Asset sale

Silver Fox Collectibles

£54,000 in the red. Manufacturing chaos. I learned a new manufacturing system, organised the chaos, separated refunds from manufacturing priorities, presented the plan, and structured the owner's exit as an asset sale.

Operational rescue

What people say

In their own words.

  • Luke is a tech genius. Was such a pleasure working with him and his team. Great communication, highly knowledgeable and always down to help out where he can. Will definitely be in touch for future projects.

    Jay Vaknalli

    Consultant at EY | Finance

  • Luke brought a level of clarity and technical insight that made complex automations easy to understand and execute. He's incredibly patient, detail-oriented, and genuinely cares about helping you reach your next milestone.

    Howard Tibbs III

    Creative Technologist

  • Luke's positive attitude and friendly manner made a significant impact on the participants. He has a great ability to break down complex concepts into easily understandable terms.

    Aimee Willett

    Southend on Sea City Council

  • We've been with Luke and the team for over 10 years and couldn't be without their support and guidance. We're not tech savvy and are so thankful to have them working with us. Highly recommended.

    Louise Ager

    Local Guide

Resources

Useful things, free to download.

The same frameworks and checklists I use when I work with operators. No email gate.