SAINSBURY&SAINSBURY FOUNDERS
Sainsbury&Sainsbury Ltd was founded on a simple belief: the most valuable business advice comes from those who have built, led, and transformed organisations themselves.
Blanche and Mark Sainsbury combine deep strategic expertise with real-world operational experience, offering a level of insight that goes beyond traditional consultancy.
our experience
Both Blanche and Mark have worked in board/top tier leadership positions in large companies that include Chairmanship, Regional Managing Director, Non-Executive Directors and governance positions. Their experience extends internationally, working with businesses across multiple markets and sectors.
They work with leadership teams to shape strategy, sharpen decision-making, and elevate performance. Their approach combines strategic advisory with hands-on coaching and one-to-one shadowing to build capability where it directly impacts results.
We deliberately limit the number of clients we take on, focusing only on engagements where we can drive meaningful, measurable outcomes.
our international ‘black book’
Our international ‘black book’ is one of our most powerful assets - and our clients know it. Built over four decades our network spans the globe and covers expertise across many subjects.
When you work with Sainsbury&Sainsbury Ltd you’re not just getting us. Whatever the challenge, whatever the industry - chances are we know exactly who to help partner with.
BLANCHE SAINSBURY
Blanche is a highly accomplished Chairman and Executive Director with a proven track record of delivering commercial success and leading transformational change.
With extensive experience across both listed and private companies, she has built a reputation for driving innovation, shaping high-performing cultures, and unlocking new revenue opportunities. Originally rooted in the publishing and media industry, Blanche has successfully applied her highly transferable expertise across a diverse range of sectors.
Her strengths span strategy development, business planning, marketing, and digital transformation - underpinned by a broad and influential network. She is particularly passionate about working with boards and leadership teams to achieve clarity, alignment, and peak performance.
Blanche also works closely with the charity sector, advising boards on fundraising strategy and commercial opportunities. Her approach has established her as a trusted advisor who understands how to drive meaningful improvements in board effectiveness, capability, and motivation. She supports charities in identifying sustainable revenue opportunities and embedding best practice to strengthen long-term performance.
Blanche is also the founder of the National Children’s Awards across Britain, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland - an initiative dedicated to recognising courageous children, their families, and the charities that support them.
mark SAINSBURY
Mark is a highly experienced senior executive with a proven track record in media, commercial leadership, and business growth. As former Managing Director of Media Wales and Devon & Cornwall Media, he oversaw 24 media brands and associated websites across 11 offices, leading large, multi-site operations and driving performance in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
His experience extends beyond the media sector, having served on the Board of Directors of the Trade Centre Group (Trade Centre Wales and Trade Centre UK) during a period of significant expansion. As part of an ambitious growth strategy, he supported the successful development and opening of new sites in Rochdale and Rotherham, contributing to the company’s continued growth and market presence.
Mark is widely recognised for his expertise in corporate governance, operational efficiency, and turnaround strategy. He has a strong ability to bring clarity to complex situations, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement robust structures that support long-term, sustainable growth. His strategic insight, coupled with hands-on leadership experience, enables organisations to navigate change, improve performance, and achieve lasting success.
Driving Impactful Change
With an exceptional network developed over years of operating at senior levels, Sainsbury&Sainsbury bring access to high-calibre contacts across a broad range of industries. In most cases, they can quickly connect clients to the right people to unlock progress.
Their judgement is highly regarded, with business leaders frequently seeking their view on individuals, underpinned by the trust they have built.
our difference
We work as partners, not advisors.
Our clients trust us to operate with discretion, integrity, and an unwavering focus on outcomes. Together with our experienced team of consultants and specialists, we bring independent thinking, commercial insight, and hands-on expertise to every business we work with - united by a shared commitment to delivering meaningful, lasting success.
Our associates
Amana walker
Amana Walker is a respected executive coach, leadership mentor, and performance specialist known for helping ambitious individuals and organisations thrive under pressure.
Often referred to as “The Spotlight Coach”, Amana has worked with high-profile figures across business, media, sport, and entertainment—supporting leaders, talent, and teams to build confidence, navigate visibility, and perform at their highest level.
With a straightforward, commercially minded approach, she brings expertise in leadership development, mindset coaching, communication, and performance strategy. Amana works with talented people, who are determined to become the best in their field.
Romy Sembi
Romy specialises in live coaching, real-time sales strategy, and performance development - equipping individuals and teams with the mindset, tools, and confidence needed to succeed in competitive markets.
He is the founder of Aura Sales and an experienced sales performance coach with more than 20 years of frontline experience across 28 countries.
Known for his practical, results-driven approach, Romy has helped scale both ambitious start-ups and established global brands into high-performing, internationally recognised businesses. His cross-cultural expertise and deep understanding of sales performance enable him to build confident, capable teams that deliver measurable results.
dawn kenton
Dawn Kenton is a leadership development specialist, coach and facilitator with over 25 years’ experience supporting people and organisations to grow and thrive.
Passionate about helping leaders lead with confidence, self-awareness and authenticity, Dawn creates engaging and supportive development experiences that encourage both personal and professional growth. Her approach combines practical leadership development with transformational coaching, helping individuals build the mindset, resilience and self-trust needed to lead effectively in today’s workplace.
A Fellow of the CIPD and accredited Advanced Practitioner in Transformational Coaching Dawn is passionate about supporting leaders at all levels and helping organisations create positive, people-centred cultures where individuals can perform at their best.
lara smrtnik
Lara is a marketing strategist, brand consultant, and communications specialist with extensive experience helping businesses define their positioning, strengthen their brands, and connect more effectively with their audiences.
Her experience spans global FMCG, lifestyle, sustainable fashion, travel, and hospitality brands, giving her a strong understanding of how to build emotionally engaging brands that resonate with modern consumers. Lara brings a commercially focused approach to brand development, content strategy, digital marketing, and communications - helping businesses articulate their story, strengthen their reputation, and create meaningful engagement with customers, stakeholders, and investors.
Her ability to combine strategic insight with hands-on delivery makes her a trusted partner for businesses looking to elevate their brand, strengthen market presence, and drive meaningful growth.
work history and current Clients
