Autus | Commercial Solutions Ltd

Meet the Founders: Together, over 50 years of leadership experience

Diane Cronin, Owner/Director

I started AUTUS nearly four years ago. I am a committed and dedicated professional who is passionate about all things ‘sales’ related.

My combination of classical sales training, category marketing expertise and technical knowledge provides our clients with focused and innovative solutions to driving profitable business growth.

However great a product is though, its success story is steered by the people involved. With over 25 years of P&L responsibility in the highly competitive FMCG world I have experience of managing relationships at all levels – small manufacturer through to major, high street chains.

Indeed it is my considerable man-management experience, leading teams throughout my career, that many of our clients draw on in particular.

I have worked with many leading food manufacturers and my global experience includes brands such as Revlon, BBC, Nickelodeon, Dreamworks, Cadbury/Mars as well as Utterly Butterly and Shape.

Daniel Thomas, Owner/Director

With over 25 years of Sales, Marketing and Management experience in competitive business-to-business environments, I have been successful in creating solutions that improve business performance.

As Sales and then Managing Director of successful businesses, I understand the challenges of growth.

I, too, have strong management experience (both in the UK and worldwide) with extensive knowledge of business practices and environments that range from small ‘start-up’ businesses through to global multi-nationals.

Since joining AUTUS I have been bringing this knowledge and experience to support SMEs, in particular the owner-managed sector as I know only too well that leadership can be a lonely place – but it doesn’t have to be.

I’ve worked with leading FTSE 100 clients bringing innovative solutions to support their operations. My clients have included RBS, JPMorgan Chase, SKY, BBC, BT, NYSE, LloydsTSB and CHB Global.

Diane is one of the best commercial managers I have worked with - always on the ball, aligned to customer needs and wants and therefore very effective in finding mutually beneficial solutions. Her wide ranging cross functional experience and insight means that all angles are covered.Michaela Jarvis, Category Marketing Controller, UNIQ plc, Swindon.
Being a SME, we had been burnt in the past with consultants charging high fees for little results. After meeting Dan through the GrowthAccelerator programme our faith was quickly restored that there are actually professionals out there that can help push your business forward. Working with Dan has been a breath of fresh air, my business partner and I are now extremely focused and moving our business forward in the direction we want it to go.Felicity Griffiths, Director, , CHB Global Limited
“...he is pro-active in his approach and communicates well with suppliers, colleagues and clients. He is always keen to understand the requirement and looks to consider other solutions that may provide better performance or are more economic. He is a pleasure to work and I would recommend him to others.”Robert Thorogood, , Chief Technical Officer, hurleypalmerflatt, London.
“Dan has an usual blend of qualities - a clear incisive mind, good aesthetic judgment and the ability to know when something isn't working and when it's time to stop, make a decision and change direction. People often value 'drive' too highly; knowing when to come off the gas is a depressingly rare trait in my experience. In addition he is both good humoured and a pleasure to work with. I recommend him very highly."John Matchett, Owner, SJM Photographic, Bristol
We hired Daniel as a consultant to our business, to provide additional senior management expertise. He has provided excellent assistance in the areas of strategy, global account management, administrative processes, and structure. He continues in that role with our Company.Ross Kennedy, CEO, QHi-Group Ltd, Harpenden.