Introducing Philip Stubbs
Partner, Atlantic Insight
Philip Stubbs is a specialist in forecasting, planning and operational performance improvement, with more than three decades of experience helping organisations run more predictably, efficiently and confidently. With foundations in Operational Research and a career spanning leadership roles, major transformation programmes and competition‑winning forecasting work, Philip brings a rare blend of analytical depth and practical operational judgement.
He has delivered measurable improvements within retail, utilities, finance, telecoms, education and outsourced operations – strengthening service, reducing cost, stabilising performance and giving senior leaders the insight needed to make better decisions.
Operational Research & Analytical Foundations
Philip’s career is grounded in Operational Research, the discipline of applying mathematical and analytical techniques to real operational challenges. His postgraduate research into energy demand forecasting delivered significant accuracy improvements and was published in a leading academic journal.
This foundation gives him a disciplined, evidence‑based approach to problem‑solving: clear thinking, robust modelling and solutions that stand up to scrutiny and deliver real‑world results
Career in Customer Operations
Since 1992, Philip has worked in customer operations in roles ranging from analyst to Head of Support Services. His experience spans organisations including Cable & Wireless, GE Capital, Caudwell Communications, Littlewoods, Garlands Call Centres and N Brown plc.
This hands‑on operational background means he understands the pressures senior leaders face: service stability, cost control, colleague engagement and the need for reliable insight. He knows what works in practice, not just in theory
Management & Leadership Experience
Philip has led support shared‑services teams across planning, analytics, MI, forecasting, scheduling, quality and operational improvement. He has built high‑performing teams by developing managers and analysts with strong analytical, technical and leadership capability.
His leadership has consistently increased the value delivered by support functions: improving decision‑making, strengthening operational control and enabling teams to perform at a higher level
Consulting Career & Client Impact
After four years with Trinity Horne Consulting (now part of BearingPoint), Philip later founded Drakelow Consulting in 2015, a specialist forecasting and planning consultancy now part of Atlantic Insight. He has delivered improvements for organisations including Marks & Spencer, e.on, United Utilities, Dell, Aviva, Nationwide, Sensée, Studio Retail, boohoo, Gtech, ResQ and DPD.
His consulting work is characterised by practical delivery, strong stakeholder engagement and clear operational and financial benefits, outcomes that give senior leaders confidence in both direction and execution
Forecasting Expertise & Competition Success
Forecasting has been a constant throughout Philip’s career. His academic grounding at Lancaster University Management School, combined with decades of real‑world application, has enabled him to deliver major accuracy improvements across multiple sectors.
He has also co-winner of the VN1 forecasting competition – a testament to both technical skill and practical judgement. The task involved 13-week-ahead forecasts for over 15000 products.
The result is forecasting that leaders can trust: more predictable operations, fewer surprises and a stronger foundation for planning and investment decisions
Workforce Management & Operations Planning
Philip has transformed the planning and scheduling capability of many operational centres. His work includes WFM system implementations, planning process redesign, scheduling optimisation and numerous fixes to existing setups.
He understands the operational levers that drive service, cost and colleague experience, and how to build a planning function that supports all three.
His work helps organisations achieve stable performance, better service levels and more efficient use of resources
Data, Modelling & Insight Delivery
Philip has delivered advanced analytical solutions that translate directly into operational and financial benefit. Examples include improving a telecoms churn model using machine learning, and leading the analysis workstream of a major EdTech project that delivered a $10m annual benefit.
He combines technical modelling with the ability to communicate insight clearly, enabling senior leaders to act with confidence and clarity
Operational & BPO Performance Improvement
Philip has deep experience improving operational performance across omnichannel contact centres in utilities, telecoms, finance, retail and education. His methods and models have unlocked millions of pounds in benefit.
He also has specialist expertise in outsourced operations, designing resource planning solutions, contract structures and risk/reward frameworks that drive performance and protect value.
This work strengthens supplier relationships, clarifies accountability and improves commercial outcomes